About Elly (2009) 2015
Directed by
Asghar Farhadi
Made by
Dreamlab
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of About Elly (2009) (2015). 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 the sun gracefully sets over the Caspian Sea, a close-knit group of Iranian friends gathers for a three-day retreat orchestrated by Sepideh. Alongside her husband, Amir, their inquisitive daughter, and Shohreh with her family, including their lively son Arash, they converge at a seaside mansion. Sepideh has a specific aim for this gathering: to reunite her friend [Ahmad], who is visiting from Germany, with the young kindergarten teacher, Elly.
Upon their arrival, the group meets the mysterious caretaker of the property, who offers an alternative: a secluded beachfront villa. Ever the orchestrator, Sepideh spins a tale about Elly and Ahmad being a couple on their honeymoon, cleverly manipulating the situation to her advantage.
Initially reluctant, Elly gradually begins to embrace Ahmad’s affections. During a conversation with her mother, she fabricates an elaborate excuse for her trip, claiming it is a work retreat, while assuring her that she will return to Tehran soon. Meanwhile, Sepideh harbors her own secrets, including hiding Elly’s luggage before sneaking off for a personal errand.
Tension mounts when Arash disappears while swimming, and Elly has gone missing as well. Frantic, the group calls for help, igniting a storm of accusations and uncertainty that threatens to tear them apart. Doubts arise: has Elly suffered a tragic fate, or did she slip away unnoticed? The escalating fear and collective guilt create an atmosphere that simmers, revealing deep cracks in their seemingly peaceful getaway.
As the retreat progresses, a veil of deceit starts to lift, exposing Sepideh’s concealment of a vital truth from Elly. It is revealed that Elly was already engaged to Alireza, but her hesitance to commit pushed Sepideh to arrange this trip in hopes of introducing her to Ahmad. Although Elly initially hesitates, the pressure from Sepideh compels her to join the getaway.
Just as they begin to settle in, tensions escalate with the unexpected arrival of Alireza, who confronts Ahmad in a fit of rage. Amidst the chaos, he queries Sepideh about Elly’s acceptance of the trip, forcing her into a moral quandary between loyalty and honesty. As she chooses to uphold the ruse for fear of Alireza’s wrath, a horrific revelation occurs in the water.
In a devastating twist of fate, Alireza discovers Elly’s lifeless body at the mortuary, his heart shattered as he mourns the loss, tears cascading down his cheeks. The peaceful vacation spirals into a nightmare, forever altering the lives of those who believed they were simply gathering for a joyful reunion under the sun.
Timeline
Track the key events of About Elly (2009) (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Gathering
As the sun sets over the Caspian Sea, a close-knit group of Iranian friends arrives for a three-day retreat at a seaside mansion. Sepideh organized this getaway, hoping to reunite her friend Ahmad with the kindergarten teacher, Elly.
Meeting the Caretaker
Upon their arrival, the group encounters the mysterious caretaker of the property who offers them an alternative: a secluded beachfront villa. This suggestion adds an element of intrigue and sets the tone for the retreat's unfolding events.
The Honeymoon Ruse
To manipulate the situation, Sepideh fabricates a story that portrays Elly and Ahmad as a couple on their honeymoon. This deception is crucial to Sepideh's plan to spark a romance between the two.
Elly's Reluctance
Initially hesitant about Ahmad's advances, Elly gradually warms to him as the retreat progresses. During a conversation with her mother, she lies about the purpose of her trip, framing it instead as a work retreat.
Sepideh's Secrets
As the retreat continues, it becomes evident that Sepideh is hiding important information from Elly. She conceals Elly's luggage and sneaks off for personal errands, hinting at her ulterior motives.
The Disappearance
Tensions heighten when Arash suddenly goes missing while swimming, soon followed by Elly's disappearance. The group grows frantic, igniting a wave of panic and accusations among them, as they fear for Elly's safety.
Fears and Guilt
As they realize both Arash and Elly are missing, the atmosphere thickens with fear and guilt. Doubts creep in about Elly's fate, leading to escalating tensions that threaten to fracture their friendships.
Revealing the Truth
As the group begins to unravel the events, it emerges that Elly was secretly engaged to Alireza. Sepideh's decision to orchestrate this gathering without disclosing that information complicates matters further.
Alireza's Confrontation
The situation escalates with the arrival of Alireza, who confronts Ahmad in a fit of rage about Elly's status. This confrontation forces Sepideh into a moral dilemma about honesty versus loyalty.
Tragic Discovery
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Alireza finds Elly's lifeless body at the mortuary. The shock and grief of this discovery shatter the already fragile bonds among the group, sealing the fate of their vacation.
The Aftermath
With Elly's death, the initial intentions of a joyful reunion turn into a haunting nightmare. The group's dynamic changes irrevocably as they grapple with the emotional scars left behind.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring About Elly (2009) (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Elly
Elly is a young kindergarten teacher caught in a web of expectations and emotions. Initially reluctant to engage with Ahmad, she grapples with her own hesitations about commitment and love. As events spiral out of control, Elly represents the tragic consequences of deception and the weight of unresolved choices.
Sepideh (Golshifteh Farahani)
Sepideh is the orchestrator of the retreat, driven by good intentions but entangled in deceit. Her desire to reunite Elly with Ahmad reveals her dedication to her friends, but her manipulation of the situation unveils her moral ambiguities. As secrets are revealed, Sepideh's character raises questions about loyalty and the consequences of her choices.
Ahmad (Payman Maadi)
Ahmad is the charming but somewhat oblivious suitor, brought into a complicated scenario without knowing the underlying tensions. His genuine affection for Elly places him at the center of the conflict, ultimately making him a tragic figure when confronted with the consequences of the group's deception.
Alireza
Alireza's arrival complicates the dynamics within the group, serving as an embodiment of unresolved commitments. His confrontational demeanor highlights the themes of jealousy and loyalty, pushing characters to confront the truth they have been trying to avoid. His character encapsulates the tragic fallout of the weekend's events.
Setting
Uncover the settings of About Elly (2009) (2015), 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
The events unfold in contemporary times, during a seemingly idyllic getaway meant to foster connections and romantic possibilities. However, the modern setting highlights the complex interpersonal dynamics and societal expectations that shape the characters' actions and decisions.
Location
Caspian Sea, beachfront villa, seaside mansion
The story is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Caspian Sea, where the tranquil waters contrast with the turmoil of the characters' emotions. The beachside villa serves as a sanctuary for the group, yet also becomes a site of tension and uncertainty. The seaside mansion adds to the allure of the retreat, representing both comfort and the fragility of human relationships.
Themes
Explore the core themes of About Elly (2009) (2015). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💔
Deception
Deception weaves a central theme throughout the film, as characters manipulate truths to achieve their desires. Sepideh's manipulation of Elly's circumstances epitomizes the moral dilemmas that arise when loyalty clashes with honesty. The unraveling of lies leads to tragic consequences, underscoring the dangers inherent in a web of deceit.
🌊
Tragedy
Tragedy looms over the narrative, transforming a hopeful retreat into a nightmare. The unexpected loss of Elly serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unforeseen repercussions of human actions. The blending of joy and sorrow encapsulates the delicate balance of relationships and the impact of choices made in haste.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.