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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Inconceivable (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.


Katie, played by Nicky Whelan, is in a dire situation, grappling with a crying baby while engaged in a violent altercation with a man she seems to call her husband. In a moment of desperation, she stabs him with a kitchen knife, ending his life. Fast forward four years, and we meet a seemingly blissful family consisting of Angela, portrayed by Gina Gershon, her husband Brian, played by Nicolas Cage, and their adorable four-year-old daughter, Cora. Brian juggles his demanding role as a doctor while Angela takes a temporary leave to raise Cora.

Their life takes a twist when Angela’s friend Linda, played by Natalie Eva Marie, invites Angela to a Mommy and Me gym, where she introduces her to Katie, who has now returned with her natural blonde hair. It doesn’t take long for Katie’s daughter, Maddie, to bond with Cora. During their interactions, Katie reveals that she has escaped from an abusive relationship, but the specifics remain vague. Adding to the tension, Brian’s mother, Donna, played by Faye Dunaway, instantly disapproves of Katie, sensing something amiss in her background.

As Angela confides in Katie about her struggles with fertility and her reliance on an egg donor for Cora, she faces the devastating news of a miscarriage. Struggling to cope, Angela offers Katie and Maddie the opportunity to move into the guest house as a part-time nanny, hoping it will aid her recovery. One evening, Brian catches sight of Katie swimming naked in the pool, leaving him uncomfortable and confused. In an effort to regain a sense of purpose, Angela decides to return to her medical work, trusting Katie with Cora during her absence.

However, Katie’s behavior begins to raise eyebrows as she explores Angela and Brian’s personal belongings, showcasing an unsettling envy of their family life. The situation escalates hilariously when Angela discovers Katie engaged in an intimate moment in the guest house with someone she initially misidentifies, revealing a deeper relationship with Linda.

As the plot thickens, Katie learns from Linda about Angela’s plan to select her as a surrogate for their next child, stirring jealousy since Angela intends to use the last embryo from the same donor who helped conceive Cora. In a shocking twist, Katie confesses to Linda that she is the egg donor, and adds a horrifying revelation: she abducted Maddie from her birth mother in Maine because she felt the mother was unfit. In a chilling act, Katie drowns Linda in a lake, securing her own secret.

Months pass, and Katie deceives Angela and Brian, positioning herself to carry their baby while unbeknownst to them, she is also nurturing her own child. As Brian’s mother voices her concerns regarding the decision to involve Katie, Angela remains convinced that Katie is simply a surrogate, promising a significant payment without expecting anything in return. This sottisfies her questions; however, their initial bliss begins to unravel, with mutual distrust creeping in.

Angela’s worries escalate as Katie behaves more erratically. The tension between Angela and Brian rises as they decide to hire a full-time nanny despite Katie’s aggressive protests. With the family dynamic deteriorating and Angela suspecting Katie might have ill intentions, chaos ensues. Katie pretends to experience labor pains to gain sympathy and manipulate the situation, culminating in a shocking confrontation with Angela.

When Angela investigates, she realizes Katie’s delusions run deeper—a DNA test confirms their suspicions. In a desperate act of self-harm, Katie attempts to frame Angela and is rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-section. The outcome is a healthy baby boy named Gabriel, but the revelations continue to unfold, exposing Katie’s sinister past and her ruthless desire to claim Maddie as her own.

Ultimately, Katie’s actions lead to her imprisonment, while Angela, Brian, Maddie, Cora, and baby Gabriel find solace together, reclaiming their happy family life amidst the chaos of betrayal and deception. In this gripping tale of motherhood, identity, and the unforeseen consequences of trust, the line between love and obsession is testified, revealing the lengths one will go to for family—no matter the cost.

Timeline

Track the key events of Inconceivable (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


The Fatal Encounter

Katie, wearing a cheap brunette wig, is embroiled in a heated fight with a man presumed to be her husband. In a moment of desperation, she stabs him with a kitchen knife, resulting in his death and setting her on a dark path away from her troubled past.

A New Beginning

Four years later, we meet Angela, Brian, and their four-year-old daughter Cora, who form a loving family unit. Brian works as a doctor while Angela takes time off to raise Cora, showcasing their close bond and stable home life.

Four Years Later

Meeting Katie

Angela's friend Linda introduces her to Katie, who has a daughter named Maddie. Despite Katie's charming demeanor, her reluctance to share details about her past raises red flags for Angela's mother-in-law, Donna, who senses something is amiss.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Angela confides in Katie about her struggles with infertility and the use of an egg donor to conceive Cora. Angela’s happiness is shattered when she suffers a miscarriage, deepening her emotional turmoil.

Troubling Behavior

Katie begins to step into the role of a nanny for Cora while Angela recovers, but her behavior grows increasingly strange. She snoops around the house, even trying on Angela's clothes, revealing her growing obsession with the family's life.

A Shocking Discovery

Angela unexpectedly catches Katie in a compromising situation with a woman, initially assuming it to be Brian. Despite the embarrassment, Angela begins to trust Katie more, unaware of the darker truths hidden beneath her facade.

Guest House

The Truth About Maddie

Katie confides in Linda about being Maddie’s biological mother, revealing a shocking secret. Having abducted Maddie, she expresses her fears of losing Cora due to lack of attention, hinting at her unstable mental state.

Desperate Measures

In a sinister turn of events, Katie drowns Linda in a lake, eliminating the one person who knew too much about her past. Linda's body is discovered later, but Katie’s manipulations continue to pull Angela and Brian deeper into her web.

Four Months Later Lake

Suspicion Arises

As Angela discusses hiring a surrogate with Katie, the tension escalates. Angela's mother-in-law questions the decision, sensing something is not right with Katie, while Angela becomes more concerned about the growing rift in her marriage.

Confronting the Truth

After discovering Katie's manipulations and instability, Angela seeks a DNA test for the girls. However, she soon realizes too late that Katie has drugged her, setting off a chain of chaotic events.

A Desperate Act

In a final confrontation, Angela confronts Katie about her past, leading Katie to stab herself in a fit of crazed desperation. Well aware of the potential harm to the unborn child, this act triggers a medical emergency.

Emergency Room

The Truth Comes Out

Amidst the chaos, an emergency C-section reveals the birth of a healthy baby boy named Gabriel. However, the DNA test results unveil a shocking familial connection between the girls, exposing Katie’s deceitful actions.

A Happy Ending

In the aftermath of these harrowing events, Katie is taken into custody, leaving Angela, Brian, Maddie, Cora, and baby Gabriel to regain a semblance of normalcy. They come together as a family, filled with hope after enduring such turmoil.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Inconceivable (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Katie (Tara) (Nicky Whelan)

Katie, also known as Tara, is a deeply troubled individual who becomes a nanny for Angela and Brian's children. Initially presenting herself as a victim of her past, her obsessive and deceptive nature quickly escalates into dangerous behavior as she tries to insert herself into their family. Her inability to cope with loss and desperation to recreate a family highlights her vulnerability and malevolence.

🔪 Obsessed 😨 Manipulative 💔 Troubled

Angela (Gina Gershon)

Angela is a dedicated mother who exudes warmth and concern, often serving as the emotional anchor for her family. Struggling with the challenges of motherhood and personal loss, her firm yet nurturing character gradually transforms into one of suspicion and conflict as she faces the threats posed by Katie. Her journey showcases the resilience and strength of a mother protecting her children.

👩‍⚕️ Caring 🛡️ Protective 😔 Vulnerable

Brian (Nicolas Cage)

Brian is a supportive husband and father, embodying a blend of love and ambition as a doctor. He initially represents the picture of a happy family, but as tensions rise, his character is tested when he realizes the true nature of Katie's intentions. His struggle to maintain peace and trust within his family highlights the complexities of marital relationships under stress.

👨‍⚕️ Supportive 🧠 Conflicted 🏡 Family-oriented

Donna (Faye Dunaway)

Donna, Brian's mother, is an astute and protective figure who senses the underlying issues with Katie from the beginning. Her instincts serve as a warning to Angela and Brian about the dangers of trusting the wrong person. As the story unfolds, her character adds depth to the family dynamic, showcasing the challenges and conflicts that arise from differing perspectives within families.

🦉 Wise 👀 Observant 🛡️ Protective

Setting

Uncover the settings of Inconceivable (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

The events of the movie occur in contemporary times, reflecting modern issues such as family dynamics, surrogacy, and psychological distress. This current setting enhances the relatability of the characters and their predicaments, especially concerning community perceptions and familial relationships in today's society.

Location

Suburban Home

The movie primarily takes place in a suburban home where Angela and Brian live with their daughter Cora. This peaceful setting contrasts sharply with the dark events that unfold as Katie, the new nanny, intrudes upon their family life. Suburban areas are often known for their close-knit communities and family-centric environments, making the ensuing chaos even more impactful.

🏡 Home 🌳 Suburbia

Themes

Explore the core themes of Inconceivable (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


👶

Motherhood

The theme of motherhood is central to the film, showcasing both the nurturing and destructive aspects of maternal instincts. Angela's desire to expand her family contrasts with Katie's obsession and willingness to harm others to fulfill her own need for motherhood. This theme explores the boundaries of love, jealousy, and the lengths one would go to for the sake of children.

🔍

Deception

Deception plays a crucial role in the plot, with Katie's true identity and intentions masked throughout the story. The unraveling of secrets not only puts Angela and Brian's family at risk but also reveals the dark past of Katie. This theme highlights how easily trust can be exploited and the catastrophic consequences that follow.

😱

Psychological Thriller

The film encapsulates the psychological thriller genre, delving deep into the mind of a mentally unstable woman. The building tension and unpredictable behaviors of Katie create an atmosphere of suspense, keeping the viewer on edge. It examines themes of mental illness and its ramifications on family dynamics, highlighting how it can shatter lives.

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