Year: 2023
Runtime: 83 min
Language: English
Director: Amy Redford
A passionate romance blossoms amidst a web of secrets and lies, quickly turning into a dangerous game of deception. As the relationship deepens, the characters find themselves entangled in a deadly dance where discerning truth from illusion becomes increasingly difficult. The consequences of their actions threaten everyone involved, leaving no one untouched by the unfolding drama.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of What Comes Around (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Anna finds herself entangled in a complicated relationship with a boy named Eric that she first met online. Engaging in discussions about the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Anna confides in her friend, Brit, about Eric, revealing that he is older than her. On the eve of Anna’s 17th birthday, she is surprised when Eric surprises her with a visit, gifting her a beautifully curated collection of Emily Dickinson’s poems along with a note that strikes a chord with her. Hand in hand, they stroll through the park, where Eric eventually discloses that he is actually 28, leading Anna to feel a mix of thrill and apprehension.
As the day progresses, Anna wakes up to find Eric beside her, only to realize that her friends are waiting to take her out for her birthday celebration. With no easy way for Eric to slip past her mother, Beth, and her mother’s fiancé, Tim, Anna makes him stay behind, leading to his eventual departure while she is out. When Anna returns home, Eric is nowhere to be found, and her anxiety builds as he does not reply to her texts.
In conversations with Brit, Anna is warned to tread carefully, yet, her connection with Eric deepens as they continue to text frequently. Things take a turn when Beth questions her about Eric’s age, quickly revealing her concern upon discovering that Anna has become sexually active. After finally introducing Eric to her family, Beth’s reaction is anything but warm, prompting a confrontation where underlying tensions mount—especially once Beth realizes Eric’s true identity, which is, in fact, Jesse.
Their history runs deeper than Anna could have imagined, as it is revealed that Jesse was once a student of Beth’s, and a troubling web of past emotions and misunderstandings comes to light. As Jesse’s presence grows increasingly unsettling, Beth’s desperation for Anna to stay safe escalates, leading to fierce confrontations. The tension sharpens when Beth learns that Jesse, under the guise of love, has been threatening not just her, but her entire family.
In a climactic moment, with their lives teetering on the edge, Jesse sneaks into Beth’s home, reigniting old memories that bubble to the surface. In the heat of a dramatic confrontation, Beth is forced to confront her past while Anna grapples with the truth about her relationship. As Anna prepares to leave with Jesse, a critical revelation breaks through the chaos—Beth and Jesse’s relationship was far more complicated, including confessions of love intertwined with regret.
As the evening of her engagement party unfolds, Anna and Beth reach a pivotal moment of resolution. With emotions running high and the threat of Jesse still looming, both women are left to navigate the aftermath of their shocking revelations. Anna reflects on their tumultuous journey, telling Beth candidly that the only thing she saved her from was possibly a future behind bars. The night culminates in a powerful statement of resilience as Anna steps out of the car, urging Beth to embrace the celebration that is her own.
This new summary retains all the essential plot elements while expanding on character motivations and thematic depth, providing a captivating overview for readers.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:23
Still wondering what the ending of What Comes Around (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
What Comes Around explores the devastating impact of past actions on future lives, illustrating how trauma and secrets can come back to haunt us. Throughout the film, we see how Beth, a single mother, hides a dark secret about her past relationship with Jesse, a troubled young man she once had a relationship with during her time as a teacher. This relationship ended in scandal, with Beth lying to protect herself, which left Jesse emotionally shattered and falsely accused him of imagining their affair. Jesse, feeling betrayed and misunderstood, spends years trying to find closure, convincing himself that revealing the truth will finally set him free.
As Jesse re-enters Beth’s life under the guise of reconnecting with her, he is driven by a desire for the truth—believing that knowing what truly happened between them will validate his feelings and give him peace. His approach is manipulative and emotional; he records conversations and confronts Beth with evidence that could ruin her, pressing her to confess the reality of their past affair. However, Jesse’s ultimate motive isn’t just revenge—he seeks closure so he can finally move on from his past pain, even if it means destroying Beth in the process.
In the film’s climax, Beth finally admits what Jesse needs to hear—that their relationship was real and not a figment of his mind. She reveals she destroyed her records and memories to hide the truth, fearing legal consequences if she confessed earlier, and shows her emotional vulnerability. Jesse’s confrontation ends with him choosing not to blackmail her; he leaves the recording on the table, signifying that he has decided to let go of revenge and accept the truth. Yet, before he leaves, he subtly hints that he will see Anna, Beth’s daughter, again—mirroring the words Beth once said to him—suggesting that Jesse’s love for Anna was genuine and that his final act was a form of poetic justice.
In the closing scenes, Beth and Anna drive away, heading to a wedding, but the damage is done. Jesse may have walked away, but his presence haunts the story—his emotional scars and unresolved feelings continue to influence the lives he touched. Anna, overwhelmed by the revelation, harbors resentment towards her mother for keeping secrets, and the cycle appears to repeat itself. The film closes with the understanding that life’s cycles of pain and retribution never truly end; what comes around eventually finds its way back, reminding us that secrets, pain, and the past can shape the present in ways we often don’t realize until it’s too late. Jesse’s final act, love intertwined with revenge, leaves a lasting mark that suggests life will keep turning, and justice, in its own mysterious way, always returns.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59
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