Directed by
Gore Verbinski
Discover the intricate plot of A Cure for Wellness (2017). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As Lockhart (Dane DeHaan), a driven executive from New York City, arrives at a stunning wellness center in the Swiss Alps to bring back CEO Roland Pembroke (Jason Isaacs), he faces firm resistance from the staff and the cryptic Dr. Heinreich Volmer. Ordered by the board of directors to retrieve Pembroke, who unexpectedly checked into the center, Lockhart’s efforts to communicate with the CEO are continuously thwarted.
Frustrated, Lockhart exits the center but soon gets into a minor car accident, resulting in a plaster cast for his leg. When he wakes up three days later, he is bewildered to find himself back at the wellness center, now as a patient. Surprisingly, both he and the other driver escaped with only minor injuries.
As he navigates the complex and winding hallways of the facility, Lockhart meets a variety of intriguing individuals, including Hannah, a secretive young girl harboring her own mysteries. Among the other patients is Victoria Watkins, whose fascination with the facility’s grim past ignites Lockhart’s curiosity. The locals share eerie tales about the spa’s troubled history, which stretches back to the 18th century.
Local legends state that the spa was constructed on the ruins of a castle once belonging to a relentless baron who desperately wanted an heir of pure blood. In a shocking turn, he married his sister, forcing the local peasants to endure horrific experiments in his search for a cure for her infertility. Though his methods yielded results, it came at a dreadful price.
As Lockhart digs deeper into the enigmas of the spa, an intense desire to escape grows within him. Nonetheless, every effort meets with unexpected obstruction from the staff, who appear determined to keep their patients confined. After Lockhart bestows a delicate ballerina figurine to Hannah, she offers him her assistance in maneuvering the intricate network of tunnels and corridors.
Together, they embark on a quest to unveil the truth behind Pembroke’s enigmatic disappearance. Lockhart’s journey leads him to the heart of the nearby town, where he uncovers a mystery: the townsfolk are suffering from dehydration, despite having access to the aquifer’s water. As he seeks to uncover answers, Hannah draws unwanted attention in a local bar, inciting the anger of the townspeople.
During a tense altercation, Lockhart defends Hannah, only to be rescued by Dr. Volmer, whose timely intervention seems to intimidate the locals into silence. As the tension escalates, Lockhart finds himself ensnared in a web of deception and secrets that threaten to engulf him.
While Lockhart explores the spa’s captivating secrets, a disturbing reality emerges: the therapeutic waters of the aquifer hide a sinister truth—its toxic properties from the eels thriving within. The baron’s malevolent genius orchestrated a method to extract this essential essence by passing it through human bodies, with Volmer’s patients serving as uninformed vessels. Soon, Lockhart becomes aware that his leg is notbroken and that he is being held captive, subjected to intense psychological torment that gradually unravels his sanity.
In the meantime, Hannah, once seen as a delicate figure, undergoes a significant transformation after experiencing the “cure.” Alongside Volmer and his staff, she now embodies an unnatural longevity. Just as Lockhart teeters on the brink of madness, Hannah’s gentle touch brings him back to reality when she returns the ballerina figurine, breaking the spell of his delirium.
As miraculous changes begin to manifest, Hannah experiences her first menstruation—an emotional milestone. Driven by an insatiable hunger for power, Volmer marries Hannah in a grotesquely twisted ceremony. The night ultimately spiral into horror when Volmer, concealed behind his disfigured visage, attempts to assault his daughter within the castle’s hidden chambers.
Fueled by this shocking revelation, Lockhart faces off against Volmer in a confrontation that unravels a shared truth. A savage struggle ensues, and at the apex of their battle, Lockhart finds himself overpowered by the monstrous baron. Yet, with unwavering determination, Hannah strikes down her father, sending him tumbling into the aquifer to meet a fate among the very eels that had sustained his unnatural life.
As the castle collapses around them, Lockhart and Hannah make a narrow escape on her bicycle, colliding with a car containing Lockhart’s employers. The fate of Pembroke remains a haunting question. With an eerie sense of tranquility, Lockhart declares Pembroke’s death, brushing aside their pleas as he rides off with Hannah, lost in deep contemplation, his face illuminated by a newfound feeling of liberation.
Track the key events of A Cure for Wellness (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Lockhart's Mission Begins
Lockhart, an ambitious executive from New York City, arrives at a stunning wellness center nestled in the Swiss Alps. He is tasked by the board of directors with retrieving CEO Roland Pembroke, who has mysteriously checked into the facility, but faces immediate resistance from the staff and the enigmatic Dr. Heinreich Volmer.
Car Accident
After struggling to communicate with Pembroke, Lockhart decides to leave the wellness center but is involved in a minor car accident. He emerges with only a leg injury but awakens three days later in the very same facility, now as a patient, which deepens the mystery he faces.
Meeting Hannah
As Lockhart explores the labyrinthine hallways of the wellness center, he meets Hannah, a mysterious young girl with her own secrets. Their encounter sparks a connection that propels Lockhart further into the dark mysteries surrounding the spa.
Discovery of Victoria Watkins
Lockhart learns about Victoria Watkins, another patient whose intrigue with the wellness center's grim history piques his curiosity. He begins to piece together the unsettling tales from locals regarding the center's haunted past that dates back to the 18th century.
Uncovering the Spa's Dark History
Local legends reveal that the wellness center was built over the ruins of a castle owned by a baron fixated on finding a pure heir. His cruel methods involving horrific experiments led to the suffering of many, setting the stage for the grim realities locked within the spa.
Growing Desire to Escape
As Lockhart delves deeper into the spa's hidden secrets, his desire to escape intensifies. However, he faces continuous obstruction from the dedicated staff who seem determined to maintain control over the patients and keep them confined.
Hannah Offers Help
After Lockhart gifts Hannah a delicate ballerina figurine, she agrees to assist him in navigating the complex tunnels of the wellness center. This marks the beginning of their collaborative quest to unravel the truth behind Pembroke’s disappearance.
Investigation in the Nearby Town
Lockhart’s investigation takes him into the nearby town, where he discovers the locals are suffering from dehydration despite having access to clean water from the aquifer. This finding raises pressing questions about the true nature of the wellness center's operations.
Tensions Rise at the Bar
While uncovering truths at a local bar, Hannah inadvertently attracts the attention of hostile townsfolk. This escalates into a tense altercation that sees Lockhart quickly stepping in to defend her, prompting an unexpected rescue by Dr. Volmer.
Sinister Truth of the Aquifer
As Lockhart continues to explore the wellness center, he learns about the toxic properties of the aquifer's water—traceable to the eels that inhabit it. This dark truth reveals that the baron had devised a horrific method of extraction through the bodies of his victims.
Lockhart's Realization of Captivity
Lockhart begins to uncover the horrifying reality of his situation after suspecting that his leg is not actually broken. He realizes he is being held captive and subjected to psychological tortures aimed at breaking his spirit.
Hannah's Transformation
Hannah undergoes a disturbing change after experiencing the so-called 'cure' at the wellness center. This transformation reveals her newfound abilities and unnaturally long lifespan, making her a pivotal figure in the brewing conflict.
Confrontation with Dr. Volmer
In a climactic encounter, Lockhart confronts Dr. Volmer, culminating in a fierce battle. The confrontation brings to light the dark truth that links them both, as well as the sinister intentions embedded within the wellness center’s operations.
The Collapse and Escape
As the sinister castle crumbles around them, Lockhart and Hannah narrowly escape on her bicycle after confronting Volmer. Their escape puts them back in the real world, but the question of Pembroke's fate looms ominously over them.
A Haunting Liberation
With a heavy heart, Lockhart declares Pembroke's apparent death as he and Hannah ride away into the distance. His mind is a mixture of liberation from torment and contemplation about the harrowing events they have both survived.
Meet the characters that bring A Cure for Wellness (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Lockhart (Dane DeHaan)
Lockhart is a driven and ambitious executive whose determination compels him to retrieve his CEO. His journey is marked by a gradual descent into madness as he confronts the sinister realities of the wellness center. The transformation he undergoes highlights his resilience and ultimately his quest for liberation from hidden evils.
Dr. Heinreich Volmer (Jason Isaacs)
Dr. Volmer is a manipulative and enigmatic figure who presents himself as the benevolent caretaker of the wellness center. His true nature reveals a depth of depravity, as he orchestrates horrific experiments on his patients. His obsession with longevity and control drives the dark narrative of the film.
Hannah
Hannah is a mysterious and secretive young girl who becomes Lockhart's ally in navigating the dangers of the wellness center. Initially portrayed as fragile, she experiences a transformation that showcases her strength and resilience in confronting her traumatic past. Her bond with Lockhart spurs pivotal changes in the story.
Victoria Watkins
Victoria is one of the patients at the wellness center, fascinated by its grim history. Her character serves as a catalyst for Lockhart's curiosity and drives him deeper into the mystery of the center. With a keen sense of observation, she reflects the tragic experiences of those trapped in the facility.
Uncover the settings of A Cure for Wellness (2017), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
18th Century, Present Day
The present-day events unfold alongside echoes of the 18th century, a time marked by superstition and brutal quests for purity. The sinister past of the wellness center's origins highlights horrific experiments conducted by a desperate baron seeking solutions to his family's bloodline challenges. This historical backdrop intertwines with current happenings, creating a tapestry of cause and effect.
Location
Swiss Alps, Wellness Center, Nearby Town
The movie is primarily set in the picturesque Swiss Alps, known for its stunning scenery and tranquility. The Wellness Center, a luxurious retreat, serves as both a serene escape and a sinister environment where dark secrets lurk. Additionally, the nearby town adds an eerie local flavor, steeped in myths and tales about the wellness center's troubled history.
Explore the core themes of A Cure for Wellness (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Experimentation
The quest for wellness in the film exposes the theme of brutal experimentation, both in historical and contemporary contexts. The baron's obsessive desire to produce an heir leads to horrific human trials. This dark principle resurfaces in modern times, as patients are misled about their treatments, raising ethical questions about science and morality.
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Isolation
Isolation plays a crucial role as Lockhart navigates confinement in the wellness center. Trapped both physically and psychologically, he grapples with loneliness among other patients, only to find an unlikely ally in Hannah. This theme underscores the struggles between the individual and oppressive systems.
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Confrontation
The theme of confrontation culminates in a battle between Lockhart and the malevolent Dr. Volmer, representing the struggle of good versus evil. Lockhart's journey is not just physical but also deep-rooted in uncovering truth and facing the sinister control the staff maintain over the patients.
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