Directed by
J Blakeson
Made by
Netflix
Marla Grayson, portrayed by Rosamund Pike, is a cunning con artist who cleverly manipulates the legal system to secure guardianship over elderly individuals whom she deceitfully claims are incapable of caring for themselves. Under her watch, these vulnerable individuals are placed in an assisted living facility, where they are sedated and cut off from the outside world. This allows Marla to liquidate their homes and assets for her personal gain.
In one particularly unsettling incident, Marla denies access to a distressed man named Mr. Feldstrom, played by Macon Blair, who desperately tries to see his mother. During a courtroom battle, Marla defends her actions by asserting her role as a professional caretaker, even going so far as to claim that her actions ultimately protect the elders from their greedy offspring. Following this encounter, Mr. Feldstrom angrily threatens her, wishing death upon her.
Meanwhile, Dr. Karen Amos, portrayed by Alicia Witt, tips Marla off about a wealthy retiree named Jennifer Peterson, played by Dianne Wiest, who appears to have no close family. Excited by the opportunity, Marla, alongside her business partner Fran, steps up her game, conducting extensive surveillance on Jennifer. They discover that not only does Jennifer own a valuable home, but she also has greater financial resources than initially thought, including multiple bank accounts generating significant interest.
Using falsified testimonies claiming that Jennifer is suffering from dementia, Marla is appointed as her legal guardian. In a calculated move, she swiftly relocates Jennifer to an assisted living facility, confiscating her phone in the process, while starting to auction off Jennifer’s possessions, including her furniture, car, and home. As she rummages through Jennifer’s belongings, Marla stumbles upon a safe deposit box containing a treasure trove of valuables—watches, gold bars, and hidden diamonds—which she decides to keep for herself.
As Fran, portrayed by Eiza González, supports Marla in renovating Jennifer’s house for sale, an unexpected visitor named Alexi Ignatyev, played by Nicholas Logan, shows up. He claims to be there for Jennifer, but Fran informs him of Jennifer’s recent move. Alarmed, Alexi returns to his employer, Roman Lunyov, played by Peter Dinklage, who turns out to be Jennifer’s son and a crime lord. Roman’s frustration boils over, leading him to threaten Alexi and demand an investigation into Jennifer’s situation.
In a shocking turn, a mafia lawyer named Dean Ericson, played by Chris Messina, offers Marla a staggering $150,000 in cash for Jennifer’s release, but Marla dismisses this, insisting her price is a whopping $5 million. After the case is dismissed in court due to insufficient evidence from Dean, the story takes darker twists. Fran uncovers that “Jennifer Peterson” is actually an identity stolen from an infant who met an untimely demise, which only escalates the peril surrounding them.
Marla teams up with property manager Sam Rice, portrayed by Damian Young, to deprive Jennifer of her essential needs as Roman’s frustration grows. When Roman discovers that his mother’s assets have been exploited, he sends a group of thugs to retrieve her; this violent attempt fails, leading to one thug, Alexi, being apprehended by the police thanks to Marla’s intervention.
However, the stakes elevate significantly when Roman orders the assassination of Dr. Amos and unleashes chaos on Marla and Fran, leading to a series of tense encounters, including Marla being kidnapped and escaping from a watery grave. After enduring harrowing experiences, Marla and Fran muster their strength to chase vengeance against Roman. They hatch a plan to abduct him, drug him, and leave him in a vulnerable state to be discovered in a forest.
Their brilliant plan results in Roman being declared a “John Doe,” leading to Marla’s guardianship over him. In a twisted exchange, Marla offers to release both Roman and Jennifer for a substantial $10 million; Roman proposes an unexpected partnership instead, leveraging his criminal enterprises to propel Marla into significant wealth and influence.
In the end, while Marla ascends to a life of power post-transaction and marries Fran, tragedy strikes as revenge catches up with her. A shot from Mr. Feldstrom, who mourns his mother’s demise due to Marla’s machinations, pierces through her newfound success, leaving Fran to witness the shocking climax of Marla’s rise and fall.
Marla's Scheme Begins
Marla Grayson, a manipulative con artist, cleverly starts her scheme by targeting vulnerable elderly individuals. She uses the legal system to secure guardianships over those she deems incapable of caring for themselves, leading them to be placed in assisted living facilities away from the outside world.
Mr. Feldstrom's Desperation
In an unsettling scene, Mr. Feldstrom desperately attempts to see his mother but is denied access by Marla. This encounter escalates when he angrily threatens her, expressing his outrage over Marla's deceitful tactics in exploiting the elderly.
New Target: Jennifer Peterson
With a tip from Dr. Karen Amos, Marla sets her sights on Jennifer Peterson, a wealthy retiree with no immediate family. The excitement consumes Marla, who, alongside her partner Fran, conducts extensive surveillance to uncover Jennifer's financial assets.
Manipulative Tactics
Marla secures legal guardianship over Jennifer by providing falsified testimonies falsely claiming that Jennifer suffers from dementia. This underhanded move allows Marla to swiftly relocate Jennifer to an assisted living facility and auction off her possessions.
Discovery of Hidden Wealth
While rummaging through Jennifer’s belongings, Marla stumbles upon a safe deposit box filled with valuables, including gold bars and diamonds. This discovery heightens Marla’s greed and sets the stage for her continuing exploitation of Jennifer.
Unexpected Visitor: Alexi
Fran encounters a visitor named Alexi Ignatyev, who claims to be looking for Jennifer. Alarmed by his inquiry, Fran informs him of Jennifer's relocation, prompting Alexi to report back to his employer, Roman Lunyov, unveiling Jennifer's dangerous connections.
Roman's Frustration
Roman Lunyov, revealed to be Jennifer's son and a crime lord, becomes increasingly frustrated at the circumstances surrounding his mother. He angrily demands an investigation into Jennifer's situation, showcasing the stakes rising for Marla.
The Mafia's Offer
A mafia lawyer named Dean Ericson approaches Marla with an offer of $150,000 for Jennifer's release. However, Marla arrogantly refuses, stating her price is $5 million, showcasing her greed and confidence in manipulating the situation.
Uncovering the Truth
Fran discovers that Jennifer Peterson is not only a valuable target but also a stolen identity of an infant who died tragically. This shocking revelation adds layers of danger and urgency to Marla’s already precarious situation.
Roman Strikes Back
Roman grows increasingly agitated as he realizes his mother's assets are being exploited. In retaliation, he sends thugs to retrieve her, an effort that fails due to Marla's quick intervention, showcasing the lengths she will go to protect her scheme.
Assassination Order
The threat level escalates when Roman orders the assassination of Dr. Amos, leading to chaotic events surrounding Marla and her partner Fran. Marla faces kidnapping and nearly meets her demise in a watery grave, heightening the tension in the narrative.
A Dangerous Plan
Driven by revenge and desperation, Marla and Fran decide to abduct Roman to regain control and turn the tables on him. They plan to drug him and leave him vulnerable in a forest, showcasing their willingness to engage in criminal activity.
The Betrayal
After successfully abducting Roman, Marla plays her cards strategically, offering to release both him and Jennifer for $10 million. However, Roman proposes a partnership, using his criminal connections to elevate Marla's wealth and influence.
Marla's Rise to Power
Marla emerges from the ordeal with immense power and influence following her twisted partnership with Roman. Her success includes marrying Fran and enjoying the spoils of their illicit dealings, painting a façade of triumph over her adversities.
Revenge's Fatal Blow
In a shocking climax, Marla's past misdeeds catch up with her when Mr. Feldstrom, distraught over his mother’s demise, shoots her. This tragic event unfolds just as she seems to have attained her long-sought power, leaving Fran to witness her downfall.
Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike)
Marla Grayson is a sharp-witted con artist and the film's main antagonist, expertly navigating the legal system to exploit the elderly. Her ruthlessness is underscored by her cold calculations and manipulative tactics, ultimately revealing a deep-seated hunger for power and wealth. Despite her cunning persona, her journey becomes a cautionary tale of excess and consequence.
Fran (Eiza González)
Fran is Marla's loyal business partner, who is complicit in her schemes. She embodies a blend of support and ambition, helping Marla execute their deceptive plans while also harboring her own desires for wealth and success. Her character navigates the murky waters of morality, showcasing the allure and dangers of criminal entanglement.
Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage)
Roman Lunyov is a powerful crime lord and the son of one of Marla's victims. His character brings an intimidating presence to the narrative, embodying the consequences of Marla's actions. As the story unfolds, he evolves from a frustrated son to a vengeful antagonist, showcasing the dark world of organized crime.
Mr. Feldstrom (Macon Blair)
Mr. Feldstrom is a desperate son seeking to protect his mother from Marla's manipulative grip. His character serves as the emotional anchor in the story, highlighting the human aspect of Marla's ruthless dealings. His wrath is a driving force that slowly builds towards the film's tragic conclusion.
Dr. Karen Amos (Alicia Witt)
Dr. Karen Amos is a pivotal character who inadvertently aids Marla in her schemes by providing insider information. Her role emphasizes the ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in sensitive fields, showcasing the thin line between duty and complicity. Her fate becomes intertwined with the escalating conflict, amplifying the story's tension.
Time period
The film unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as elder abuse and the manipulation of legal systems for personal gain. The narrative resonates with current debates around ethical caregiving, guardianship, and the exploitation of the elderly.
Location
Assisted Living Facility, Undisclosed Forest
The Assisted Living Facility serves as a primary setting for the exploitation of vulnerable seniors, where residents are often cut off from the outside world. Known for its deceptive practices, it is overshadowed by the manipulations orchestrated by Marla. The Undisclosed Forest becomes a crucial location for the film's climax, symbolizing both a literal and figurative wilderness where plans are woven and betrayals unfold.
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Greed
The movie delves into the destructive nature of greed, depicting how Marla's insatiable desire for wealth leads her down a dark path. Her manipulation of the elderly and the legal system illustrates the moral decay that comes with pursuing wealth at any cost. Marla's actions ultimately provoke revenge, highlighting the inevitable consequences of greed.
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Deception
Deception is a central theme as Marla employs lies to secure guardianships over vulnerable individuals. Her skillful manipulation of truth shows how easily the legal system can be circumvented for personal gain. The film portrays the dangers of deceit, leading to unforeseen repercussions for all involved.
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Revenge
The thirst for revenge drives several characters in the film, most notably Mr. Feldstrom, who seeks justice for his mother's demise. The narrative spirals into a web of retribution as Marla's actions provoke deadly responses from the crime lord Roman, culminating in a tragic showdown that illustrates the cycle of vengeance.
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