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Plot Summary

This Changes Everything (2019) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 96 min · English
Echo score 70
Directed by
Tom Donahue
Starring
Cate Blanchett, Geena Davis, Zoe Saldana, Natalie Portman, Rashida Jones, Rosario Dawson
Budget
$65K

This documentary explores the significant gender imbalance within the entertainment industry. Through interviews with prominent filmmakers and actors, it reveals how women are consistently underrepresented and often portrayed inaccurately. The film examines the systemic issues contributing to this disparity and highlights the need for change in Hollywood.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like This Changes Everything
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch This Changes Everything (2019)

Where can you watch This Changes Everything? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Kanopy and Amazon MX Player: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in This Changes Everything: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of This Changes Everything (2019) 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.

This Changes Everything presents a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the male-dominated film industry, exploring the myriad of forces—both conscious and unconscious—that contribute to the ongoing underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women. Developed in collaboration with New Plot Films, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, David Yurman, and the Artemis Rising Foundation, this film raises critical questions regarding the persistent gender bias within the industry.

The documentary investigates the underlying reasons behind Hollywood's blatant gender discrimination, examining historical efforts to address these issues alongside current initiatives being implemented both domestically and internationally. It also delves into the personal experiences of those affected by this discrimination. As the filmmakers reflect on the changes needed to bring about meaningful and sustainable progress, they confront the reality of the system's flaws that have persisted despite increasing awareness.

The film reveals that while micro-aggressions and even severe abuses of power faced by women in Hollywood are gradually being acknowledged, actual transformative change has been lethargically slow. The moments captured during filming include candid interviews with notable film industry figures, both female and male, who share their insights and experiences related to these injustices. The emergence of a new wave feminist movement during the film's production has sparked a collective momentum among Hollywood's women—and some supportive men—toward real change.

As Geena Davis eloquently articulates in her interview, the film’s title reflects a collective disappointment: “Everyone thought that the success of a female-driven film would finally make things change... and then nothing did.” This sentiment encapsulates the exploration of the film’s narrative as it scrutinizes the reasons behind this stagnation.

Ultimately, This Changes Everything is not simply a presentation of the challenges at hand, but rather a passionate call to action aimed at fostering radical social and institutional change necessary for cultural progression. It serves as a rallying cry for audiences and industry professionals alike to recognize and combat these persistent issues in the pursuit of a more equitable future in filmmaking.

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Plot questions answered

This Changes Everything Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about This Changes Everything (2019): 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

What does the title 'This Changes Everything' refer to?

The title comes from Geena Davis's reflection on the disappointment felt when successful female-driven films did not lead to meaningful change in Hollywood. Despite box office wins, systemic gender bias persisted, making the title a sarcastic commentary on broken promises rather than an optimistic statement.

  • title meaning
  • geena davis
  • female-driven films
  • broken promises
Q2

How does the #MeToo movement factor into the documentary?

The #MeToo movement emerged during the film's production and became a significant force captured in the documentary. It galvanized Hollywood insiders, particularly women, to take a stand against sexual harassment and discrimination, providing real momentum toward the change the film advocates for.

  • metoo
  • movement
  • sexual harassment
  • change
Q3

Why has change in Hollywood been so slow despite increased awareness?

The documentary argues that while micro-aggressions and abuses of power are now being acknowledged, actual transformative change remains lethargically slow. The film explores how systemic flaws have persisted despite growing awareness, suggesting that conversation alone is insufficient without concrete actionable steps.

  • slow change
  • systemic issues
  • awareness
  • action
Q4

What does the documentary say about female-driven films?

The film discusses how female-driven films have performed well at the box office, proving audience demand exists. However, it questions why these successes have not translated into systemic changes in how women are represented and treated in the industry.

  • female films
  • box office
  • representation
  • success
Q5

Who are the key voices featured in the documentary?

The documentary features interviews with both female and male power players in Hollywood, including Geena Davis. Industry figures share their personal experiences with discrimination, from micro-aggressions to severe abuses of power, providing firsthand accounts of the challenges women face.

  • interviews
  • geena davis
  • hollywood insiders
  • testimonials
Q6

How does the documentary address past efforts to fight gender bias?

The film examines historical attempts to address gender discrimination in Hollywood and outlines their limited success. By understanding past failures, the documentary frames current initiatives within a longer struggle and explains why new approaches are necessary.

  • history
  • gender bias
  • past efforts
  • discrimination
Q7

What action does the documentary ultimately call for?

The documentary serves as a rallying cry for radical social and institutional change. It encourages both audiences and industry professionals to recognize and combat persistent gender issues, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires sustained effort and collaboration across genders.

  • call to action
  • change
  • progress
  • activism
Q8

Does the documentary explore international efforts to address gender discrimination?

Yes, the film investigates international initiatives aimed at confronting gender discrimination in the film industry worldwide. It highlights various strategies employed in different countries to foster gender equality in media, showing that the issue extends beyond Hollywood.

  • global
  • international
  • worldwide
  • equality

Movie threads

More Movies Like This Changes Everything, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes This Changes Everything tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Hopeful Calls to Action Documentaries like This Changes Everything

Documentaries that expose dark realities but ultimately inspire change with passionate urgency. Explore movies like This Changes Everything that delve into systemic inequality and discrimination. These documentaries blend critical analysis with hopeful activism, perfect for viewers seeking films that expose harsh truths while inspiring tangible change and social justice.

  • urgent
  • hopeful
  • critical
  • thought-provoking
  • passionate
  • frustrating
  • Tone: critical, hopeful, urgent
  • Pacing: steady, persuasive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a clear, persuasive structure: they first diagnose a major systemic problem, often through personal accounts and expert interviews, then build a compelling case for why change is necessary and possible, culminating in a hopeful vision for the future and a call to action for the audience.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a powerful emotional mix: the darkness of confronting systemic abuse is balanced by the hopeful energy of activism. They are united by a steady, logical pacing that builds an argument, a heavy emotional weight from their subject matter, and a tone that is both critical and optimistic.

Candid Industry Exposé Documentaries similar to This Changes Everything

Behind-the-scenes investigations that pull back the curtain on powerful, flawed institutions. If you liked This Changes Everything, discover other films that critically examine powerful industries from the inside. These documentaries offer a candid, behind-the-scenes perspective on systemic issues, featuring insider interviews and revealing the hidden truths of influential institutions.

  • candid
  • critical
  • thought-provoking
  • frustrating
  • revealing
  • investigative
  • Tone: candid, critical, dark
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves investigating a closed system—like Hollywood, the tech world, or corporate finance—to expose its dysfunctions. Using a mix of archival footage, data, and insider testimony, these films methodically build a case against the status quo, focusing on the human cost of systemic failures and the individuals fighting for transparency.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on pulling back the curtain. They have a candid, critical tone, a steady pacing suited to investigative journalism, and a medium intensity that engages intellectually. The mood is consistently thought-provoking and often frustrating, centered on themes of abuse of power and the need for accountability.

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Every angle

This Changes Everything (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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