Meadowland

In the seemingly ordinary neighborhood of New York City, young married couple Sarah (Olivia Wilde) and Phil (Luke Wilson) are trying to navigate a typical day with their 10-year-old son in tow. A trip to a local convenience store bathroom becomes an unsettling experience when Phil ventures out to grab a juice from the freezer, leaving his son alone for mere seconds before attempting to communicate through the door. When there is no response, Phil's concerned calls escalate into frantic yelling, prompting the gas station clerk to intervene and reveal a shocking truth: the bathroom, previously thought to be self-contained, has an unexpected opening that leads directly to the garage and beyond. The parents' world is turned upside down as they frantically search every nook of the station for any sign of their missing son.

Fast-forward one year, and Sarah and Phil are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their child. At a somber gathering, it's clear that they're still reeling from the tragedy, with Sarah's reliance on lithium medication serving as a poignant reminder of her emotional state. Meanwhile, Phil's brother Tim (Giovanni Ribisi) has taken up residence on their couch, his eccentricities and self-medication habits a stark contrast to the couple's polished facade. As Tim's unconventional wisdom begins to rub against their grief-stricken sensibilities, he advises Sarah that she needs to work through her pain alone, rather than relying on others for support.

As the narrative shifts, Sarah (no actor name provided) and Phil (no actor name provided), two individuals struggling to cope with their child's loss, embark on separate journeys, each grappling with their emotions in isolation. Sarah, a middle school teacher, appears disconnected from her students, her emotional numbness palpable as she observes the everyday struggles of her pupils. Her gaze is drawn to Adam (Ty Simpkins), a young boy with intellectual and social challenges, who repeatedly speaks of elephants and faces bullying in gym class. Despite his endearing nature, Sarah remains aloof, her interactions with him sparse and lacking empathy.

Meanwhile, Phil, a uniformed NYPD officer, finds solace in the quiet reflection of his work computer, where memories of his son reside. At night, he attends a support group, befriending Pete (John Leguizamo), who lost his child to a senseless tragedy. As they bond over their shared grief, Phil remains taciturn, his emotions locked away like precious secrets. His patrol car becomes an extension of his daily routine, a constant reminder of the world outside his personal hell.

As the darkness closes in around them, Sarah's nocturnal wanderings take her to Union Square, where she seems lost in thought, her intentions unclear. Is she searching for solace or something more sinister? Her increasing connection with Adam reveals the uncaring nature of his parents, leaving him feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Phil, too, finds himself adrift, his days spent aimlessly wandering through the streets, haunted by memories of his child. A chance encounter at a disturbance call leads to an awkward exchange with a combative young woman who makes a pass at him. His response is lukewarm, as if he's drowning in his own despair.

As Phil's coping mechanisms begin to unravel, we witness his descent into self-medication and reckless behavior. He visits the convenience store where his son was taken, only to be met with avoidance from friends and acquaintances. A poignant visit to a roadside memorial marks the lowest point of his downward spiral.

As Detective (name) delves deeper into the case, a crucial lead emerges when a man in a van is identified as a suspect, his vehicle found to be harboring explicit child content. This breakthrough development sets the stage for a thrilling investigation.

Meanwhile, Sarah's psyche begins to unravel, her behavior taking on a distinctly juvenile tone. She dons a hoodie reminiscent of her students' attire and indulges in death metal anthems she had previously confiscated from one of them. A disturbing sequence reveals her self-harming tendencies, as she methodically cuts into her own skin with a razor blade. This haunting display hints at the depths of her emotional turmoil.

Sarah's obsession with Adam's family intensifies, as she begins to stalk his mother, who, in turn, appears to be engaging in questionable activities. A chance encounter at a gas station bathroom yields an uncomfortable exchange, where Sarah purchases beer for this mysterious individual, who seems reluctant to acknowledge any familial connections. This encounter implies that Sarah's professional standing is in jeopardy.

As her grip on reality falters, she turns to Tim for comfort, the two engaging in a crack-fueled haze. Tim's subsequent tears, prompted by the sight of Sarah's self-inflicted wounds, suggest he has been misguided in his earlier assessment of her ability to cope independently. This poignant moment underscores the devastating consequences of her downward spiral.

Sarah's fixation on Adam's father takes a darker turn when she begins to stalk him, her true identity as his son's teacher revealed only after they engage in a sexually charged encounter. Her presence at his apartment, coupled with her brazen theft of his keys, implies a calculated attempt to abduct Adam. The detective's investigation continues to unfold, even as Sarah's mental state deteriorates further.

As the truth begins to surface, Sarah becomes increasingly unhinged, answering Phil's frantic calls only to be met with devastating news about their son's fate. Her emotional collapse is palpable as she sobs uncontrollably in the driver's seat, her grip on reality tenuous at best. Meanwhile, Adam remains blissfully unaware of the turmoil surrounding him, his attention fixed on a fleeting fascination that prompts an abrupt request to stop the car.

This pivotal moment marks the beginning of the end for Sarah, as her world crumbles around her, and the truth about her son's disappearance begins to come into stark relief.

As the camera pans across a desolate landscape, a lone elephant stands tall behind a rusted fence, its majestic form softened by the distance to a cluster of worn circus tents on the horizon. It is here that Sarah (actress) and Adam (actor) find themselves drawn to the enclosure, their footsteps quiet in reverence as they approach the gentle giant within. With an air of quiet wonder, Sarah's eyes lock onto those of the elephant, her fingertips tracing the contours of its forehead with a deep sense of connection. Her face aglow with an almost childlike awe, she drinks in the majesty of this behemoth, the screen fading to black as if reluctant to sully the serene atmosphere that has been conjured.