The Simian Line

In October, Katherine, a middle-aged divorcee, invites two couples to her home for a festive dinner party. The invitees include Marta and Billy, and Sandra and Paul, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and celebration.

As the evening unfolds, Rick introduces an unexpected guest, Arnita, a quirky palm reader. Her presence disrupts the joyful ambiance with her ominous prediction about one of the couples ending their relationship by the year's end.

Arnita's prediction creates a wave of confusion and doubt among the couples at the dinner. This unsettling moment sets the stage for introspection and tension in their relationships as they grapple with the implications of her words.

The dinner party takes on a surreal twist with the appearance of ghostly guests, Edward and Mae. Edward, Katherine's deceased great-grandfather, and Mae, a vivacious socialite from the 1920s, provide humorous commentary on the mortal couples' dilemmas.

Marta and Billy, a lively couple, find themselves facing the unexpected reality of unplanned parenthood. Their playful nature is soon challenged as they deal with the responsibilities and anxieties that come with impending parenthood.

Socialites Sandra and Paul are confronted with the weight of their unrealized dreams and financial struggles. Their discussions highlight the difficult balance between their social lives and financial realities.

Amidst the dinner party chaos, Katherine begins questioning Rick's devotion. Her suspicions are compounded when she witnesses Rick's seemingly yearning gaze towards younger women, leading her to reassess their relationship.

As the spirit couple, Edward and Mae, watch over the living, they reflect on their own ghostly existence. Their insights offer both comedic and poignant observations about love and relationships, revealing the struggles faced by the dinner guests.

As the season shifts from autumn to winter, the couples' relationships show signs of strain. The cold weather parallels their growing tensions and uncertainties as they inch closer to the predicted deadline of separation.

With the New Year approaching, the lives of the couples become increasingly intertwined. Their experiences and interactions bring them closer together, despite the underlying doubts and issues that have arisen.

As the year draws to a close, the couples find themselves at a crossroads, facing their true destinies. Each couple must confront their individual challenges and decide their paths moving forward, heavily influenced by Arnita's earlier prediction.

In the final moments leading to the New Year, the characters reflect on their relationships and choices. The outcome of the prediction lingers in the air as they navigate their fates and seek clarity in their lives.