Trance

The film opens with Simon Newton reflecting on the history of art auctions, highlighting their vulnerabilities as targets for thieves. He notes how security measures adapt over time while criminals continuously evolve to exploit these weaknesses.

Simon observes Franck, a cunning thief, surveying Delancy's auction house. Franck's crew executes a bold theft of a Goya painting, during which Simon attempts to thwart their efforts but ends up knocked unconscious as they successfully escape with the artwork.

After being discharged from the hospital, Simon returns home only to find that both his house and car have been ransacked. He grapples with the aftermath of the theft, now suspected of being an inside man due to his memory loss caused by a head injury.

Franck confronts Simon, demanding information about the missing painting. With Simon suffering from mild amnesia, Franck's team resorts to torture to extract answers, further intensifying the suspense surrounding the missing Goya.

Franck then hires Dr. Elizabeth Lamb to conduct hypnotherapy sessions with Simon, hoping to unlock his lost memories. Posing as Mr. Maxwell, Simon feels uneasy but is gradually soothed by Elizabeth's professional approach during their first session.

As sessions progress, Elizabeth subtly extracts information about Simon’s memory while keeping Franck informed. She realizes that Simon's potential attraction to her may hinder his memory retrieval, which leads to an unorthodox proposal to enhance their connection.

During another session, Simon confesses to his gambling addiction, revealing that the robbery was an attempt to pay off his debts. Elizabeth reassures Franck's crew, suggesting their emotional vulnerability can be strategically used to guide Simon's recovery.

Elizabeth’s growing bond with Simon complicates the dynamics with Franck. Their interactions become charged with tension, ultimately resulting in a brief passionate moment between Elizabeth and Simon as she delves deeper into his psyche.

Simon discovers a plan hatched by Franck’s gang to eliminate him, prompting a frantic call to Elizabeth for help. She guides him to Franck’s bedroom, where Simon faces a pivotal moment involving a gun and rediscovering the painting's location.

In a twist of fate, Simon awakens realizing that violent actions taken during the trance were not his own doing. Elizabeth's role becomes murky as Franck accuses her of manipulating them both, muddying the waters in their conflicting allegiances.

Tension escalates among the characters as Franck's gang begins torturing Elizabeth for information. In a desperate attempt to rescue her, Simon confronts his own fears and vulnerabilities, ultimately revealing the painting's location.

As Elizabeth shares a last intimate moment with Simon, she discreetly passes him a crucial object. The confrontation reaches a boiling point when Simon, now more in control, fights back against the gang, but he hesitates when faced with Franck.

Simon and Elizabeth venture into the depths of their past to confront Simon's gambling issues and their complex relationship. The journey into his memories unveils a series of events leading to explosive violence between them, culminating in his destructive rage.

In a shocking twist, Simon discovers the deceased woman he mistakenly thought he had killed, alongside the coveted painting. This revelation ignites a destructive blaze, further complicating the already fraught relationships among the trio.

The film concludes with Elizabeth offering Franck a choice that could seal his fate. In a haunting ambiguity, viewers are left questioning the true nature of loyalty and manipulation, encapsulating the tension and uncertainty that has permeated the narrative.