Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Roads Not Taken (2020) movie poster

Plot Summary

The Roads Not Taken (2020) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 85 min · English
Echo score 52
Directed by
Sally Potter
Starring
Javier Bardem, Salma Hayek, Elle Fanning, Laura Linney, Milena Tscharntke, Branka Katic

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.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 How it ends
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like The Roads Not Taken
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Roads Not Taken (2020)

Where can you watch The Roads Not Taken? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Kanopy and Fandango at Home Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Roads Not Taken: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Roads Not Taken (2020) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

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

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

The Roads Not Taken Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Roads Not Taken (2020): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Leo keep wandering off and getting lost

Leo wanders off because his dementia causes severe confusion and disorientation. He loses track of his surroundings, mistakes objects for things from his past (like the dog for Néstor), and cannot follow simple instructions. These episodes become increasingly frequent and dangerous throughout the film, ultimately leading to his fatal escape.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Leo struggling to recognize familiar places and people, foreshadowing his later inability to navigate even basic environments.

  • leo dementia
  • wandering
  • confusion
  • memory loss
  • caregiver
Q2

Why does Leo think the dog is Néstor

Leo mistakes the dog for Néstor because his dementia has severely impaired his memory and perception. Néstor was Leo and Dolores's deceased son, and Leo frequently confuses present reality with past memories. The dog likely resembled Néstor in some way, triggering Leo's emotional need to reclaim what he has lost.

Foreshadowing: Leo already struggles to distinguish between current events and memories from the timeline where he had a son.

  • nestor
  • dog
  • leo memory
  • dementia
  • loss
Q3

Who is Dolores and what was her relationship to Leo

Dolores was Leo's former wife and the mother of their son Néstor, who died. In one of Leo's alternate life scenarios, he married Dolores in Mexico after leaving his original family. When Leo's dementia worsens, he mixes up timelines and memories, sometimes seeing Dolores in present-day moments like the Day of the Dead celebration.

Foreshadowing: Dolores appears during the Day of the Dead scene, revealing their shared grief over Néstor.

  • dolores
  • marriage
  • mexico
  • nestor
  • wife
Q4

What happened to Leo and Dolores's son Néstor

Néstor was Leo and Dolores's son who died, though the exact circumstances are not fully detailed. His death is the source of profound grief that Leo carries throughout the film. At the cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebration, Leo confronts this loss directly, expressing anguish and blaming himself for Nestor's death.

Foreshadowing: The Day of the Dead celebration at the cemetery directly references Néstor and sets up the emotional revelation about his death.

  • nestor
  • son death
  • grief
  • day of the dead
  • loss
Q5

What are the alternate life scenarios Leo experiences

The film presents two alternate versions of Leo's life that exist in his fractured memory. In one, he married Dolores in Mexico and had a life there. In another, he died in Greece under different circumstances. These aren't separate realities but rather memories and possibilities Leo conjures as his mind deteriorates, reflecting his regrets about the choices he made in his actual life.

Foreshadowing: Molly explains at the end that Leo was married to Dolores and returned to the US after realizing his mistake.

  • alternate lives
  • mexico
  • greece
  • memories
  • regret
Q6

What is Leo's unfinished novel about

Leo writes about a man who struggles between the comfort of home and the temptation of escape. This directly mirrors Leo's own life choices, he remained with his family in the US rather than pursuing other paths. The novel represents his unfinished business and the regret he feels about the roads not taken, making its themes deeply personal.

Foreshadowing: The novel's themes of choice and escape are introduced early in Leo's conversations about his writing.

  • unfinished novel
  • writing
  • escape
  • choices
  • regret
Q7

Why does Leo end up at the Day of the Dead celebration

Leo wanders into the Day of the Dead celebration at the cemetery, drawn there by his fragmented memory of losing Néstor. In his confused state, he reunites emotionally with Dolores at their son's grave, allowing him to confront the grief he has carried. This surreal moment represents his mind blending past grief with present reality.

Foreshadowing: The film builds toward this emotional confrontation with loss as Leo's condition deteriorates.

  • day of the dead
  • cemetery
  • grief
  • dolores
  • nestor
Q8

How does Leo die at the end of the film

Leo dies after chasing a party cruiseboat in his rowboat, filled with jealousy and longing for the young tourists. Exhausted and isolated, he becomes unresponsive in the dark sea. Fishermen discover his body the next morning. His death appears to be an accident resulting from his disoriented pursuit, though the exact cause is left somewhat ambiguous.

Foreshadowing: Leo becomes obsessed with Anni and her friends, foreshadowing his dangerous nighttime pursuit on the water.

  • leo death
  • drowning
  • sea
  • party cruise
  • accident
Q9

Why does Molly continue caring for Leo despite his behavior

Molly cares for Leo out of filial duty and love, even as his dementia creates increasingly difficult situations. She manages his appointments, handles public incidents, and protects him, all while trying to maintain her own life and career. Her承诺 at the end, promising to stay with him regardless of his reality, demonstrates her commitment despite the overwhelming burden.

Foreshadowing: Molly's frustration builds throughout the film, particularly after her work project is taken over, but her loyalty never wavers.

  • molly
  • caregiver
  • daughter
  • responsibility
  • love
Q10

What does the ending with Molly and Leo mean

The ending shows Molly guiding Leo back into their apartment after his death is revealed to be a story he told. She lies with him and promises to stay, offering love and presence in his reality. Simultaneously, another version of Molly in a different timeline prepares to leave, suggesting the unresolved nature of Leo's other potential lives. The bittersweet conclusion emphasizes human connection amid profound loss.

Foreshadowing: The film has already established Leo's alternate lives through his fragmented memories, making this dual ending thematically consistent.

  • ending
  • apartment
  • reality
  • connection
  • promise
Q11

What was Leo's marriage in Mexico about

In one of Leo's alternate memories, he married Dolores in Mexico after leaving his original family. This represents the road not taken, a life where he chose differently. Molly reveals at the end that Leo was actually married to Dolores and returned to the US after realizing his mistake, suggesting this Mexico scenario was either a memory of a real event or a powerful imagined possibility.

Foreshadowing: The Mexico marriage is introduced through Leo's conversations with Anni and becomes clearer through Molly's explanation at the end.

  • mexico
  • marriage
  • dolores
  • alternate life
  • choice
Q12

Why does the dentist visit go wrong for Leo

During the dentist visit, Leo cannot follow simple instructions due to his dementia, leading to a distressing incident that upsets Molly. This scene demonstrates how Leo's cognitive decline affects even the most routine activities, highlighting the daily challenges Molly faces as his caregiver.

Foreshadowing: This early incident sets up the pattern of Leo's confusion causing public problems throughout the film.

  • dentist
  • confusion
  • incident
  • dementia
  • daily life

Ending explained

What Happens at the End of The Roads Not Taken?

How The Roads Not Taken (2020) ends, in short: the final scene, the last twist and what it means for the characters. The full ending explained, with every spoiler, lives on its own page.

Read the full ending explained

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.

The Roads Not Taken ending explained in full

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Roads Not Taken, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Roads Not Taken tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about fractured minds and alternate lives like The Roads Not Taken

Stories where characters slip between reality and the lives they could have lived. If you liked the dreamlike exploration of memory and regret in The Roads Not Taken, these movies offer similar journeys. They feature characters, often due to dementia or trauma, slipping between their painful reality and visions of alternate paths, creating a complex and emotionally heavy viewing experience.

  • dreamlike
  • melancholic
  • disorienting
  • reflective
  • somber
  • poignant
  • Tone: melancholic, poignant, somber
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread are often non-linear, weaving together a character's present struggles with fragmented memories or fully-realized visions of different choices. The central conflict is internal, as the protagonist and those around them try to discern reality from illusion, ultimately leading to a contemplation of loss, identity, and the power of choice.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core narrative device: the interweaving of a grounded, often sad reality with dreamlike alternate scenarios. They create a specific melancholic and disorienting mood, focusing on heavy themes like regret and identity through a complex, reflective structure.

Movies about painful caregiving like The Roads Not Taken

Intimate dramas about the heavy, loving burden of caring for a declining loved one. For viewers who appreciated the poignant father-daughter dynamic and the heavy themes of caregiving in The Roads Not Taken, this list features similar dramatic stories. These films explore the quiet sacrifices and emotional weight of tending to a loved one with a debilitating condition like dementia.

  • somber
  • poignant
  • lonely
  • reflective
  • heartbreaking
  • intimate
  • Tone: somber, bittersweet, poignant
  • Pacing: slow, observational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows the caregiver's perspective, charting their emotional journey from determination to exhaustion to a deepened, bittersweet connection. The plot is less about external events and more about the slow, cumulative impact of daily care, often leading to an ending that is somber yet underscored by enduring love.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their focus on the caregiver's experience, generating a specific mood of somber reflection and heavy emotional weight. They share a slow, deliberate pacing that allows the audience to feel the quiet burden and poignant intimacy of the central relationship.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Roads Not Taken

Similar movies to The Roads Not Taken: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Roads Not Taken (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Roads Not Taken in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app