Fractured 2019
Directed by
Brad Anderson
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
While returning home from a Thanksgiving visit to her parents, Joanne and her husband Ray find themselves embroiled in a heated argument about their troubled relationship. Ray grows increasingly frustrated with Joanne’s incessant nagging, while she accuses him of no longer standing up for anything that matters. Their daughter, Peri, interrupts when she needs to use the restroom, prompting a stop at a service area. During this brief respite, Ray picks up a coke for Joanne and some batteries for Peri’s Walkman.
Things take a turn when Peri misplaces her compact mirror, leading the couple to embark on a frantic search. When Ray’s attempt to scare away a dog at a nearby construction site backfires, he inadvertently causes Peri to fall into a pit. In his desperate attempt to save her, Ray also tumbles in, suffering a head injury in the process. Moments later, a panicked Joanne arrives, leading them to a hospital to treat Peri’s injured arm.
As they make their way to the hospital, tension mounts between Joanne’s urgency for Ray to drive faster and their growing anxiety over Peri’s condition. At the hospital, the couple faces a grueling admissions process, with Joanne urging Ray to take action to expedite care for their daughter. They are also confronted with a difficult decision about registering Peri as an organ donor, which they ultimately refuse. Here, Ray grapples with memories of his deceased first wife, Abby, who has haunted him since he remarried Joanne six years ago.
Upon finally seeing a doctor, Dr. Berthram, they learn that Peri’s arm is fractured, and a CAT scan is ordered due to potential head trauma. While Joanne accompanies Peri for the scan, Ray dozes off in the waiting area, only to awaken in a wholly disconcerting situation. When he inquires about his family, he learns that both Joanne and Peri’s records have mysteriously vanished.
Desperate for answers, Ray is met with disbelief and confusion from the hospital staff, culminating in his restraint by security personnel, who sedate him. He manages to evade his captors, taking adrenaline autoinjectors in a frantic bid to rescue his loved ones. His pleas to two responding officers to investigate what he insists is a cover-up fall on deaf ears, leading Ray deeper into panic as he tries to reconstruct the sequence of events.
In a series of events that spiral out of control, Ray’s situation worsens. Dr. Jacobs questions him about the details of his supposed accident and previous alcoholism. Ray vehemently denies having relapsed into a state of delusion, but the authorities begin to suspect him of wrongdoing as the K-9 unit uncovers blood evidence at the scene of the incident.
As the narrative unfolds, through a haze of confusion and a desperate need for clarity, Ray takes drastic measures, holding Dr. Jacobs at gunpoint to acquire access to the hospital. Disguised and in a blaze of chaos, he encounters harrowing sights in the hospital’s basement, where he believes he finds Peri and Joanne. Ray’s distorted perception leads him to believe he is rescuing them from sinister operations involving organ harvesting. However, the harsh truth soon unravels—the reality is stark and tragic. In a desperate misinterpretation, he eludes the hospital with what he believes to be his family, while the grim truth reveals his own dark actions led to their tragic fate. Ultimately, in a heartbreaking twist, Ray’s struggle with reality culminates as he drives towards a new dawn, forever changed by his unfathomable loss.
Timeline
Argument during Thanksgiving Return
Following a Thanksgiving visit, Joanne and Ray engage in a heated argument on their way home. Their conversation reveals deep-rooted frustrations within their troubled relationship, highlighting Joanne's nagging and Ray's feeling of helplessness.
Rest Stop Incident
During their journey, the couple stops at a service area so Peri can use the restroom. This brief pause becomes significant when Ray picks up a coke for Joanne and batteries for Peri's Walkman, setting the stage for later events.
Frantic Search for Mirror
When Peri misplaces her compact mirror, Ray and Joanne embark on a frantic search at the service area. The tension of the moment escalates as their arguments start to surface amidst the urgency to find the lost item.
Accidental Fall into Pit
In an attempt to scare off a dog at a nearby construction site, Ray inadvertently causes Peri to fall into a pit. This accident not only injures Peri but also leads Ray to fall in while trying to rescue her, resulting in a head injury.
Emergency Hospital Visit
Joanne rushes to the construction site after hearing Peri's cries and takes them both to the hospital. With Peri’s arm injured and Ray's head wound, they navigate the urgent care process amidst rising tensions.
Gripping Hospital Admissions
Upon arrival at the hospital, the couple faces a grueling admissions process that heightens their anxiety. Joanne's plea for Ray to hurry contrasts with their despair regarding Peri's condition as they confront tough choices about her care.
Confronting Difficult Decisions
In the hospital, Ray and Joanne are faced with the challenge of deciding whether to register Peri as an organ donor. This poignant moment brings to the surface Ray’s memories of his late first wife, adding emotional weight to their situated grief.
Consultation with Dr. Berthram
Finally seeing Dr. Berthram, they learn of Peri's fractured arm and the necessity of a CAT scan for potential head trauma. This brings a mix of relief and continued concern as they hope for positive news amid their distress.
Mysterious Disappearance of Records
Ray dozes off in the waiting area only to awaken to shocking news: Joanne and Peri's medical records have vanished. Confusion and panic erupt, thrusting him into a disorienting reality that escalates his sense of urgency.
Ray's Desperate Search
As Ray seeks answers, hospital staff are skeptical of his claims, leading to him being restrained by security. His situation escalates when he realizes he must escape to find his family, taking adrenaline autoinjectors to aid his frantic rescue.
Unraveling of Reality
Caught in a perilous spiral, Ray's mental state deteriorates as authorities begin to suspect him. Facing inquiries into his past alcoholism and the blood evidence discovered, he resists believing he is losing touch with reality.
Hostage Situation
In his desperation, Ray takes Dr. Jacobs at gunpoint, seeking entrance to the hospital. This act of violence stems from his growing paranoia, showcasing the depths of his fear as he believes something sinister is occurring.
Searching the Hospital's Basement
Amid chaos, Ray navigates the hospital's basement, convinced he will find Joanne and Peri. The haunting sights he encounters further warp his perception of reality, intensifying his urgency to rescue them from impending danger.
Tragic Revelation
As Ray escapes the hospital believing he has rescued his family, the grim truth begins to unfold. The reality is far bleaker than he could have imagined, leading to a catastrophic realization of his own actions and their devastating consequences.
Driving Towards an Uncertain Future
In the final moments, Ray drives away, forever altered by the tragic loss of his family. This poignant ending leaves viewers grappling with the implications of his choices and the haunting nature of his despair.
Characters
Ray Monroe (Sam Worthington)
Ray is a desperate father whose frantic search for his daughter showcases both his fierce love and deteriorating mental state. His conflict between protective instincts and haunting memories drives the narrative, highlighting his flawed humanity. As events spiral, Ray's character reveals the impact of loss and trauma on decision-making.
Joanne Monroe (Lily Rabe)
Joanne is a concerned mother, struggling to maintain order in the face of chaos. Her relationship with Ray is strained, revealing the complexities of marriage under pressure. As she navigates their daughter's injury, Joanne embodies a mix of urgency and frustration, reflecting her dedication to family amidst a crisis.
Peri Monroe (Lucy Capri)
Peri, the young daughter, encapsulates innocence and vulnerability, acting as the catalyst for the unfolding events. Her injury sets the chaotic plot into motion, revealing the depth of her parents' struggles. Despite her limited screen time, Peri's character highlights the stakes of family bonds and the repercussions of parental decisions.
Dr. Berthram (Stephen Tobolowsky)
Dr. Berthram is the doctor who provides medical insight but becomes a figure of tension in Ray's escalating panic. His authoritative position contrasts with Ray's desperation, creating a conflict that heightens the film's suspense. Dr. Berthram's character reflects the bureaucracy of healthcare and the challenges faced by families in distress.
Dr. Jacobs (Adjoa Andoh)
Dr. Jacobs becomes a crucial character as she interacts with Ray amid his mental unraveling. She represents the medical establishment but also serves as a target for his desperation, illustrating the blurred lines between help and harm. Her pivotal role emphasizes the friction between patient care and personal trauma.
Setting
Time period
Contemporary
The movie takes place in the present day, highlighting modern parenting challenges and the pressures of family dynamics. It reflects contemporary societal issues, including healthcare struggles and mental health awareness, as Ray encounters disbelief from the authorities during his desperate search.
Location
Hospital, Service Area, Construction Site
The hospital serves as a central location in the film, embodying the tension and fear surrounding Peri's injury. It's a place where desperation leads to confusion as Ray finds himself at odds with the hospital staff. The service area acts as the initial setting for the family's troubles, while the construction site introduces danger, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.
Themes
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Loss
The theme of loss permeates the film as Ray grapples with the emotional scars of losing his first wife while trying to protect his current family. This sense of loss is intensified through his desperate actions and misinterpretations, leading to tragic consequences. Ultimately, the story explores how unresolved grief can distort reality.
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Desperation
Desperation drives Ray's actions as he navigates a chaotic situation filled with uncertainty and fear. His frantic attempts to locate his family push him to extremes, highlighting the lengths a parent will go to in a crisis. This theme explores how desperation can blur moral boundaries and lead to tragic decisions.
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Paranoia
The film delves into the theme of paranoia as Ray's search for his family deepens into a nightmare. His increasing suspicion of the hospital staff amplifies the tension, illustrating how fear can alter one's perception of reality. This aspect enhances the psychological thriller elements, drawing viewers into Ray's troubled mind.
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