The In-Between

The In-Between

Year: 2019

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: English

Echo Score: 84
Drama

Two women, Junior and Mads, embark on a road trip across the American West, seeking solace and self-discovery. United by chronic illnesses, they leave Los Angeles and encounter unusual landmarks and budget motels along the way. As their journey unfolds, Junior attempts to move past her history while Mads searches for her own identity. However, Junior discovers a secret about Mads that threatens to shatter their friendship and test the true meaning of family and connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The In-Between yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The In-Between (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The In-Between (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The narrative unfolds in a contemporary era with non-linear flashbacks: 182 days before, 80 days later, 11 days before, and 5 days before the accident. It relies on modern technology—photography, smartphones, GPS—to drive the plot and memory. The RISD deadline anchors the present-day action as Tessa searches for closure.

Location

Coastal town, The Empyrean (abandoned honeymooners hotel), Hospital, RISD (Providence, Rhode Island), Paris-like dream sequence

The story unfolds across a contemporary coastal setting and a series of significant locations. The Empyrean, an eerie, abandoned hotel for honeymooners, functions as a nexus for memory and connection between the living and the past. Key scenes move from a hospital where Tessa fights for life to the RISD campus and a dream-like Paris-inspired sequence that frames her healing.

🌊 Coastal town 🏨 Abandoned hotel 🏥 Hospital 🗺️ RISD/Providence 🗼 Paris-like sequence

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:36

Main Characters – The In-Between (2019)

Meet the key characters of The In-Between (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tessa (the photographer)

An emotionally guarded photographer who channels grief into imagery. Her past in foster care informs her hesitance to fully trust and commit, while her art becomes a medium for processing loss. Through the story she learns to express her feelings and pursue connection.

🎨 Creative 💔 Grief 📷 Photographer

Skylar

Tessa's romantic counterpart whose presence lingers across time. He inspires hope and pushes her toward openness, even as his decisions—leaving for his father in Oregon—test their bond. His memory drives the present as a beacon of possibility and healing.

💖 Romance ⏳ Time-bound 🌟 Hope

Shannon

Tessa's friend who pushes her to reconnect with Skylar, often through unconventional means. She blends superstition with pragmatism as they attempt to contact Skylar, highlighting tensions between belief and science in processing grief.

🧭 Friend 🕯️ Grief 🔎 Investigator

Doris

The author of The In Between who provides a narrative guide for Tessa, underscoring the power of memory and storytelling. Her presence signals that stories can become bridges across time and help interpret loss.

📚 Author 🧭 Guidance 🪶 Memory

Adoptive Mom

Tessa's foster mother, embodying the pull of abandonment and the complexity of family. She can be critical, but her role frames the struggle to form secure attachments and move toward forgiveness.

👩 Foster parent 💔 Abandonment 🧭 Guidance

Adoptive Dad

Tessa's foster father who provides steadiness amid emotional turmoil. He grounds the family dynamics and supports Tessa as she navigates her past toward healing.

👨 Foster father 🛡️ Support 🧭 Stability

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:36

Major Themes – The In-Between (2019)

Explore the central themes of The In-Between (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕰️ Time & Memory

The In Between concept frames the story as moments that bridge life and loss. Non-linear timelines probe how memories preserve love and shape identity, even after death. Photographs become anchors that tether Tessa to Skylar and to what could have been.

💖 Love & Healing

Romantic connection sustains characters across time, offering hope and a path to forgiveness. The film investigates whether love can persist beyond physical presence and what it takes to find closure. Photography and memory serve as vessels for emotional truth.

🫂 Abandonment & Family

Tessa's history with foster and adoptive parents shapes her fear of commitment and expression. The journey exposes the complexity of family bonds and the possibility of healing within imperfect relationships. The support that emerges helps her choose life and connection.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The In-Between

Don't stop at just watching — explore The In-Between in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The In-Between is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The In-Between Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The In-Between, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The In-Between Summary

The In-Between Timeline

Track the full timeline of The In-Between with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The In-Between Timeline

The In-Between Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The In-Between that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The In-Between Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The In-Between

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The In-Between: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The In-Between

Explore More About Movie The In-Between

The In-Between (2019) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The In-Between (2019) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The In-Between (2019) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow