Year: 2020
Runtime: 85 min
Language: English
Director: Sally Potter
Leo, portrayed by Javier Bardem, and his daughter Molly, played by Elle Fanning, embark on a poignant journey through New York City. As they travel, Leo’s fractured memories and mental state create a dreamlike atmosphere, revealing alternate versions of his life and the choices that shaped them. Molly, a bright and observant young girl, must grapple with her own aspirations and contemplate the possibilities that lie ahead, understanding the impact of decisions and the weight of the roads not taken.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Roads Not Taken (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Leo’s peaceful slumber is abruptly interrupted by the relentless ringing of the phone and the constant buzzing of the doorbell, yet he remains blissfully unaware of the turmoil spiraling outside his bedroom door. His daughter, Molly, eventually arrives, only to find Leo lost in confusion and struggling to grasp the reality surrounding him. As his caretaker, Xenia, vacuums the floor, Leo’s battle with dementia pushes him further into disorientation.
Their day takes a fateful turn when a visit to the dentist goes awry. Leo’s refusal to follow simple instructions results in an unfortunate incident, leaving Molly disheartened but resolute in her attempts to manage the situation. Once again, she hails a taxi for her father, yet his mind drifts away, causing him to tumble out of the passenger side and hit his head. The alert taxi driver calls for an ambulance, which swiftly transports Leo to the emergency room.
After being discharged, Molly, hopeful for a better outing, takes Leo to Costco. However, while she attends to a work call, he wanders off, only to return cradling a dog he mistakenly believes is Néstor, his beloved late pet. An angry woman accuses him of theft, leading to a chaotic scene that attracts security’s attention. With Molly explaining Leo’s condition to the guards, he is released, though visibly shaken.
Their next attempt involves a trip to the optometrist, where Leo once again struggles to adhere to basic directions, much to Molly’s growing annoyance. That evening, her world tumbles down when her boss informs her that her project has been taken over by someone else. The weight of reality crashes down on her as she realizes the charade can no longer continue. In a moment of desperation, Leo sneaks out of the apartment, embarking on an unplanned adventure through the streets, leaving Molly to frantically search for him. Fortunately, he is rescued by two kind taxi drivers.
Meanwhile, at home, Dolores urges Leo to rise and greet the day. As she prepares a bouquet in the kitchen, he clumsily stumbles upon her, igniting a violent reaction that leads to a hasty chase. Driven by confusion, Leo exits their vehicle on a desolate road, left to navigate his bewilderment alone. He ultimately hitches a ride on the back of a maize truck, ready to face whatever awaits him.
As night falls, Leo finds himself ensnared in a vibrant Day of the Dead celebration at the cemetery, a mystical experience guided by the presence of Dolores. At the grave of their deceased son, Néstor, Leo succumbs to his emotions, expressing anguish and blame for their heartbreaking loss. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he feels the warmth of Dolores’s embrace, embodying their shared sorrow while he longs to reclaim their son.
The next day, Leo seeks refuge at Mikael’s tavern by the sea, striking up a conversation with Anni, a captivating German tourist whose likeness to Molly serves as a wistful reminder of the life he once had. Their lively exchange centers around Leo’s unfinished novel — a poignant narrative reflecting a man’s struggle between the comfort of home and the temptation of escape. As Leo’s enthusiasm intensifies, Anni’s friends grow increasingly weary of his relentless inquiries regarding their opinions on his work.
That evening, Anni and her friends embark on a lively party cruise, which Leo, filled with jealousy and longing, follows from his rowboat. As he tires himself in pursuit, he ultimately finds himself left behind, adrift and alone in the dark sea. The following morning, fishermen discover Leo’s unresponsive body in his boat, diligently searching for identification and answers.
When the police deliver Leo to Molly’s doorstep, she tenderly guides him back into their apartment, where he begins to share stories of parallel lives that intertwine with his own narrative. He recounts his youthful marriage in Mexico and an unexpected demise in Greece. Through a mix of compassion and understanding, Molly reveals the history of their lives — that he was once married to Dolores and returned to the United States after realizing the depth of his mistake. As Leo lies in bed, Molly promises her unwavering support, while in a different reality, a version of Molly prepares to leave their apartment, enveloped in resignation.
Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 18:54
Still wondering what the ending of The Roads Not Taken (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
The ending of “The Roads Not Taken” reveals the profound realization Leo comes to about his life and the choices he’s made. Throughout the film, Leo is lost in hallucinations and fantasies about alternate lives—one with his childhood love Dolores and their lost son, Nestor, and another as a writer on a Greek island, contemplating his regrets and loneliness. These imagined roads symbolize the different paths he could have taken, each filled with tragedy and longing. However, when Leo wakes up to find his daughter Molly sitting beside him, he understands that the life he has with her—the real, imperfect life—is the most meaningful one. His fleeting visions of alternate lives serve as reflections on regret and what might have been, but ultimately, he recognizes that his current life with Molly is the most fulfilling. When Leo says her name, it signifies a moment of clarity and connection, washing away the nostalgic illusions about his past. The film ends with a poignant choice for Molly: she can either leave to pursue her career or stay and try to understand her father’s fragile world. This ending emphasizes the idea that life is a series of roads not taken, but the true value lies in accepting and appreciating the road we are on. Ultimately, Leo’s waking realization underscores the importance of love and presence over missed opportunities and untraveled paths.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
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