What Maisie Knew

Year: 2013

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Director: Scott McGehee

DramaFamily

A young girl named Maisie finds herself caught in a bitter custody dispute between her parents. As Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan portray the feuding couple, the drama explores the impact of their conflict on their tender six-year-old daughter, played by Onata Aprile. The escalating battle threatens Maisie’s innocence and forces her to question the possibility of genuine love amidst the turmoil of her fractured family.

What Maisie Knew (2013) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at What Maisie Knew (2013) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling heart of New York, a cramped apartment becomes the stage for an uneasy family drama that revolves around a perceptive six‑year‑old. Maisie wanders the tight corridors, absorbing the emotional undercurrents that ripple through a home where love is tangled with rivalry. The film opens with a keen sense of everyday tension, inviting the audience to view the city’s relentless rhythm through the eyes of a child whose innocence is both a shield and a spotlight.

Her parents, each entrenched in vibrant but conflicting worlds, amplify the discord. Susanna pours her soul into a rock‑band’s raw performances, while Beale navigates the polished corridors of the international art market, their professional passions often spilling into heated arguments that leave Maisie feeling unseen. Amid this turbulence, a gentle caretaker, Margo, offers a steady presence, and an unexpected figure, Lincoln, a bartender with a quiet charm, enters the family’s orbit, hinting at alternative sources of affection and stability.

The tone balances lyrical melancholy with quiet hope, using the city’s ever‑present hum to underscore the fragile search for belonging. As Maisie learns to interpret the nuances of adult conflict, the story gently probes whether genuine love can survive amidst chaos, and whether a child’s resilient spirit might discover its own path to safety and sincerity. The film’s atmosphere remains intimate and observant, promising an emotionally resonant journey that lingers long after the lights rise.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 06:31

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with a child's perspective like What Maisie Knew

Stories where adult conflict is filtered through a child's innocent understanding.Explore movies like What Maisie Knew where complex adult dramas are seen through the eyes of a child. If you liked the innocent yet perceptive viewpoint in this film, you'll find similar stories that capture the emotional weight of adult turmoil from a vulnerable and tender perspective.

child's perspectivetendermelancholicprotectiveanxiousreflectivesomber

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically feature a young protagonist navigating a world of adult problems they cannot fully comprehend, such as divorce, family secrets, or societal unrest. The story's power comes from the contrast between the child's simplicity and the complexity of the situations they witness, often leading to a loss of innocence.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique narrative lens, which evokes a specific blend of empathy, sadness, and protectiveness in the viewer. They share a tender yet often somber tone, focusing on emotional resilience and the profound impact of adult actions on a child's world.

Bittersweet found family movies like What Maisie Knew

Emotional journeys where new connections offer hope amidst heartbreak.Discover bittersweet found family movies similar to What Maisie Knew. If you appreciated the hopeful connection between Maisie and her surrogate caregivers, you'll enjoy these emotional dramas where characters build new, meaningful relationships to heal from past wounds and neglect.

found familyhopefulbittersweetemotional resiliencelonelytenderhealing

Narrative Summary

The plot typically follows a protagonist escaping a toxic or neglectful situation and gradually forming deep, healing bonds with an unlikely group of people. The journey is emotionally heavy, acknowledging the scars of the past while affirming the possibility of love and safety in new configurations of family.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core emotional arc: moving from profound sadness or loneliness toward a hopeful, yet realistically earned, resolution. They share a bittersweet tone, a steady pacing that allows relationships to develop naturally, and a heavy emotional weight centered on themes of resilience and connection.

Unlock the Full Story of What Maisie Knew

Don't stop at just watching — explore What Maisie Knew 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 What Maisie Knew is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

What Maisie Knew Summary

Read a complete plot summary of What Maisie Knew, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

What Maisie Knew Timeline

Track the full timeline of What Maisie Knew with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Characters, Settings & Themes in What Maisie Knew

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape What Maisie Knew. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

More About What Maisie Knew

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about What Maisie Knew: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to What Maisie Knew

Discover movies like What Maisie Knew that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.