We Need to Talk About Kevin

Eva Khatchadourian, once a renowned travel writer, is now living in a run-down house and working at a travel agency near a prison. Her life is defined by frequent visits to her son Kevin, who has been imprisoned for committing a horrific mass murder at his school.

Initially hesitant about motherhood, Eva eventually decides to start a family with Franklin, resulting in the birth of Kevin. As she navigates her new role, she struggles to bond with her son, sensing an unsettling emotional distance from him from the very beginning.

From infancy, Kevin appears emotionally distant and challenging, often exhibiting disdainful behavior towards Eva. While he manipulates those around him, he shows a compliant facade to his father, Franklin, leading Eva to feel isolated in her concerns for her son's troubling actions.

In a moment of frustration with Kevin's persistent defiance, Eva loses control and throws him against a wall. This reaction causes Kevin to sustain a broken arm, which he cleverly paints as an accident to his father, further tarnishing Eva's reputation.

While Kevin is ill with a fever, he shockingly shows a rare moment of affection for Eva as she reads him the story of Robin Hood. However, this brief connection is short-lived, as Kevin's spiteful behavior returns after he recovers, resuming his manipulation.

Franklin attempts to bond with Kevin by gifting him a bow and arrow, encouraging him to take up archery. This not only deepens their father-son connection but also feeds into Kevin's manipulative tendencies, as he plays both parents against one another.

Eva gives birth to a second child, Celia, who immediately captures the family’s affection. In stark contrast to this joy, Kevin reacts with contempt toward Celia, exacerbating the tension within the family dynamic.

Tragedy strikes when Celia's pet guinea pig goes missing, leading Eva to discover its remains in the garbage disposal. This distressing incident raises Eva's suspicions about Kevin, especially after Celia suffers an eye injury related to the chaos.

Eva's growing concerns about Kevin's behavior lead to a rift between her and Franklin. While Eva suspects Kevin of wrongdoing, Franklin remains in denial, causing tensions to escalate and driving them towards the brink of divorce.

On the verge of turning 16, Kevin perpetrates an unimaginable crime by using bicycle locks to trap several classmates in the school gymnasium and murders them with a bow and arrow. The horrifying aftermath shatters Eva, as she struggles to reconcile the child she raised with the monster he has become.

In the wake of the school tragedy, Eva returns home only to discover that both Franklin and Celia have also been brutally murdered by Kevin. This catastrophic event leaves her completely shattered and grappling with the enormity of her loss and betrayal.

Two years after the massacre, Eva visits Kevin in prison. During this encounter, she observes a surprisingly demure and fearful side of him, prompting a heartfelt but painful discussion about the horrific actions he took and the uncertainty surrounding them.

In a charged moment, Eva quietly asks Kevin why he committed his heinous acts. Kevin’s response reveals his inner turmoil and confusion, indicating that he once believed he understood his motivations but is now filled with doubt and regret.

As their visit comes to a close, Eva embraces Kevin one last time, leaving both of them emotionally charged and searching for answers. This poignant moment underscores the deep, haunting impact of Kevin's actions on their relationship.