Year: 2018
Runtime: 100 min
Language: English
Director: Theresa Rebeck
Estranged siblings Maggie and Ben find themselves unexpectedly reunited when Ben returns home to claim his share of their father's estate. Their reunion forces them to confront a dysfunctional past filled with sibling rivalry and long-held resentments. Ben's unconventional plan to secure the property leads to conflict with Maggie and draws unwanted attention from the authorities, testing their already strained relationship and forcing them to re-evaluate their family ties.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Trouble (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Trouble is a pampered dog who enjoys a luxurious life in a mansion owned by his elderly caretaker, Mrs. Sarah Vanderwhoozie. Under the watchful care of his devoted butler, James, and with the help of renowned animal trainer Cesar Millan, Trouble has everything he could wish for. However, everything takes a turn when Mrs. Vanderwhoozie passes away unexpectedly. This leaves Trouble alone in the mansion, unaware of the impending changes that await him.
Her niece and nephew, Claire and Norbert, come to claim their inheritance, but their disdain for Trouble is evident from the moment they arrive. As they begin rummaging through Mrs. Vanderwhoozie’s belongings to prepare for the sale of the house, they completely overlook Trouble, neglecting him in the process. In a surprising turn of events, they soon discover that they cannot inherit their aunt’s wealth unless they manage to bond with and take care of Trouble for three days. If they fail, all is lost. Perplexed by their situation, they hire an animal tracker, Thurman Sanchez, to locate Trouble after he mysteriously goes missing.
As Trouble escapes from the moving truck with his owner’s belongings, he stumbles upon the reality of his owner’s passing. In a moment of chaos, he inadvertently destroys the nut storage of a tree filled with red squirrels, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Now lost and alone, without his collar, Trouble resembles more of a stray dog as the squirrels take their revenge and flee.
During a frantic chase for food in a bustling city, Trouble meets a stray dog named Rousey when they both try to enjoy food from a meat truck, resulting in a hilarious encounter with renowned chef Ludo Lefebvre. As night falls, Trouble finds temporary solace by sleeping outside with Rousey. They soon explore a nearby dog park, where they encounter other pets, including Norm, Gizmo, Bella, and Tippy, who offer to help him find his way home.
Despite the initial troubles he faces, Trouble’s luck seems to turn when he meets Zoe Bell, a pizza delivery girl with dreams of becoming a singer. She takes him to her apartment, and although they develop a close bond, Zoe knows that she has to find Trouble’s rightful home. Driven by her aspirations, she writes a song and creates a new collar for him.
The next day, Trouble confronts Norm and the other dogs in the park, who generously assist him after hearing about the squirrels taking his collar. Meanwhile, Thurman’s search leads to unexpected antics, and when he tries to catch Trouble, he mistakenly gets hold of the squirrel leader. A desperate negotiation ensues: a mound of nuts for Trouble’s freedom. However, when Zoe briefly leaves Trouble alone, the squirrels wreak havoc, resulting in her landlord evicting her upon her return.
At the dog pound where Trouble finds himself next, he reunites with friends Snoop, Otis, and Caramel. Together, they discover Rousey, who reveals that she once had a home of her own but was abandoned due to her courageous reputation during a family’s crisis. Feeling empathy for her plight, Zoe decides to save Trouble instead of competing in her singing contest on the day of the deadline, but soon realizes that Thurman has beaten her to it.
When it seems like all hope is lost, Rousey makes a brave decision to help Zoe rescue Trouble, leading them on a daring chase through the city. They utilize Trouble’s old collar to track him down, enlisting the support of other nearby dogs. However, after a troublesome encounter and failure to receive their payment from Thurman, he returns Trouble to Claire and Norbert, who are on the brink of claiming their inheritance.
Just as they lie to Mr. Macbain about having bonded with Trouble, Zoe arrives and reveals the truth. Thurman attempts to leverage his status, but the tables turn when Mr. Macbain uncovers the deception. A showdown erupts as Snoop, Otis, and Caramel rush in to support Trouble. In a dramatic moment, Rousey arrives just in time to save Trouble from a dire situation, securing his old collar back from the mischievous squirrels.
Ultimately, Mr. Macbain grants Trouble the choice of his new owner. In a twist of fate, Trouble chooses Zoe, much to Claire and Norbert’s dismay. With her victory sealed, Zoe inherits not just Trouble, but the mansion and a portion of Mrs. Vanderwhoozie’s fortune. The bond solidifies as Rousey is also adopted by James.
With newfound resources, Zoe revitalizes the dog park, renaming it in honor of both the late Mrs. Vanderwhoozie and Trouble. She tirelessly pursues her musical dreams, attracting the attention of the esteemed singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz, while the story concludes with a joyful celebration as Snoop, Otis, and Caramel perform a song dedicated to Trouble.
Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04
Still wondering what the ending of Trouble (2018) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the end, Conny’s perseverance and Diana’s dedication paid off. Throughout the film, they worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind Luka’s murder and the corrupt police officers involved. Conny, having been wrongly accused and imprisoned, discovered Luka’s phone—hidden and destroyed by Helena—to find evidence linking Helena to the drug theft and Luka’s murder. Meanwhile, Diana secretly helped Conny and continued her own investigation, risking her career and safety to get to the truth. As their evidence mounted, they uncovered Helena’s scheme to steal drugs during police raids, sell them, and frame innocent people like Conny. Their efforts culminated in a clever plan to expose Helena and Hasse at a hotel, where Conny used a clever technical trick, connecting the television to the elevator screen to reveal the full video evidence. When Josef saw the footage confirming Helena’s corruption, the police arrested Helena, Hasse, and the drug kingpins, clearing Conny and proving his innocence. In the end, justice was served, and Conny was finally free from the nightmare of wrongful imprisonment. It’s implied that his bond with Diana might blossom into something more, as she had shown genuine concern for him throughout the ordeal, leaving the door open for a hopeful future for both of them.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Trouble 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 Trouble is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Trouble with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Trouble. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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