Single White Female

Single White Female 1992

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Plot Summary


In the midst of her engagement to Sam Rawson, software designer Allison “Allie” Jones finds her life turned upside down when Sam’s ex-wife exposes their hidden affair, leading Allie to sever ties with him altogether. Heartbroken and in turmoil, she turns to her neighbor, Graham Knox, who unexpectedly becomes her source of comfort during this painful time.

The next day, Allie meets with Mitchell Myerson, the owner of a fashion house, who attempts to charm her into selling the rights to her groundbreaking software at a steal. While initially resistant, Allie eventually agrees, unaware she’s being manipulated for his gain.

Yearning for a fresh chapter, Allie posts a roommate ad for her historic Ansonia building and eventually selects Hedra Carlson as her new housemate. As “Hedy,” she quickly becomes an essential part of Allie’s life. As their bond strengthens, Hedy opens up about her past, revealing the loss of her twin sister, a tragedy that left her feeling lonely and isolated.

As their friendship blossoms, Hedy adopts a motherly demeanor, effectively erasing Allie’s memories of Sam. In an effort to deepen their connection, Hedy surprises Allie with a playful puppy named Buddy. Yet, the tension rises when Allie begins to move on with her life, rekindling her connection with Sam, which sparks Hedy’s jealousy and possessiveness.

Tragedy strikes when Buddy is found lifeless beneath their apartment window, leading to suspicions of foul play. Hedy insists it was an accident, claiming she thought the bars outside were secured. However, as investigations begin, Allie and Sam grow increasingly doubtful about Hedy’s account.

Allie’s troubles escalate when Mitchell makes an inappropriate advance towards her, pushing her to seek support from Hedy. In an act of protection, Hedy confronts Mitchell, demanding he face consequences for his actions. Yet, as the tension between Allie and Hedy thickens, Hedy’s obsession with Allie becomes more apparent, leading her to imitate Allie’s appearance.

This unsettling mimicry drives Allie to follow Hedy to an underground nightclub, where she uncovers shocking truths: Hedy is living under a false identity. She discovers a box of letters belonging to Ellen Besch—Hedy’s real name—alongside a heartbreaking letter from Sam and a newspaper article about the drowning of Hedy’s twin sister, Judy.

As secrets unfold, Allie confides in Graham Knox, unaware that Hedy is lurking nearby, which ignites a disturbing jealousy within her. This culminates in a haunting encounter where Hedy dons an Allie-like disguise and viciously assaults Sam. Ultimately, her dark impulses lead to a gruesome act of violence that shocks everyone involved.

Hedy’s malevolence intensifies as she takes Allie hostage at gunpoint, attempting to coerce her into fleeing after orchestrating Sam’s murder. Eyeing survival, Allie tries to call for help, but Hedy silences her threats with violence. Amid the chaos, Mitchell accidentally walks into the danger, confronting Hedy, but her inhuman wrath is far from quelled.

As the situation escalates, Allie fights back, miraculously summoning the strength to survive Hedy’s assault. A fierce showdown soon follows; Allie turns the tables, inflicting her own brand of revenge upon Hedy, ultimately standing over her lifeless body amidst the shards of shattered trust.

In the aftermath, Allie reflects on her journey towards freedom, grappling with the weight of survivor’s guilt and the haunting memory of Hedy’s actions. Although the scars remain, she comes to see Hedy’s downfall as a cautionary tale of the depths of unresolved trauma, leaving the audience with the haunting image of both women’s faces intermingling, symbolizing the destructive nature of their intertwined fates.

Timeline


Allie's Engagement and Heartbreak

Allison 'Allie' Jones is engaged to Sam Rawson, a relationship that seems promising at first. However, her world shatters when Sam's ex-wife reveals their affair, forcing Allie to confront the betrayal and consequently decide to end the relationship with Sam.

Finding Comfort in Graham

Devastated from the breakup, Allie turns to her neighbor, Graham Knox, for solace. Their supportive relationship provides her with much-needed comfort during this tumultuous time, as they develop a deeper emotional connection.

The Meeting with Mitchell

The following day, Allie meets with Mitchell Myerson, the owner of a fashion house. He attempts to charm her into selling the rights to her innovative software at a ridiculously low price, but Allie is initially resistant to his manipulative tactics.

A New Roommate

Seeking a fresh start, Allie posts a roommate ad for her historic Ansonia building. She eventually selects Hedra 'Hedy' Carlson as her new housemate, not realizing how significantly Hedy will impact her life.

Ansonia Building

Bonding with Hedy

As their friendship strengthens, Hedy becomes an integral part of Allie's life, offering support. During this time, Hedy reveals the loss of her twin sister, a tragic event that has left her feeling deeply lonely and isolated.

Gift of a Puppy

In an effort to further solidify their bond, Hedy surprises Allie with a playful puppy named Buddy. This gesture brings joy to Allie's life, but tension begins to build as she contemplates rekindling her connection with Sam.

Tragic Death of Buddy

Tragedy strikes when Buddy is found dead beneath their apartment window, prompting suspicions of foul play. Hedy insists it was an accident, claiming she thought the window bars were secure, but doubts about her account begin to surface.

Mitchell's Advance

Following the incident with Buddy, Mitchell makes an inappropriate advance towards Allie, escalating her troubles. Seeking support from Hedy, Allie is surprised when Hedy confronts Mitchell, demanding justice for his actions.

Hedy's Obsession Grows

As the relationship between Allie and Hedy deteriorates, Hedy's obsession with Allie intensifies. In a disturbing turn, Hedy begins to imitate Allie's appearance, signaling her desire to completely take over Allie's life.

Discovering Hedy's Secrets

Allie decides to follow Hedy to an underground nightclub, where she uncovers shocking truths about Hedy's past. Discovering a box of letters belonging to Hedy's real identity, Ellen Besch, reveals a haunting connection to her late twin sister.

Underground Nightclub

Jealousy Peaks

While confiding in Graham about her discoveries, Allie remains unaware of Hedy lurking nearby. This ignites Hedy’s jealousy, culminating in a violent confrontation when she viciously assaults Sam while wearing an Allie-like disguise.

Allie's Hostage Situation

Hedy's malevolence escalates as she takes Allie hostage at gunpoint, demanding that they flee together. In a desperate attempt to call for help, Allie faces Hedy's wrath as the situation grows increasingly dangerous.

Confrontation with Mitchell

During the crisis, Mitchell unexpectedly walks into the chaotic scene, prompting a confrontation with Hedy. However, her violent tendencies become apparent as she exploits the confusion to maintain control over Allie.

Allie's Fight for Survival

In a fierce showdown, Allie finds the strength to fight back against Hedy's assault. Surprising both herself and Hedy, Allie turns the tables, culminating in a struggle that ends with Hedy's lifeless body at Allie's feet.

Aftermath and Reflection

In the aftermath of the violent confrontation, Allie reflects on her harrowing journey towards freedom. Grappling with survivor's guilt, she sees Hedy's downfall as a cautionary tale of unresolved trauma, leaving a haunting impression of their intertwined fates.

Characters


Allison "Allie" Jones

Allie is a software designer whose life spirals after her engagement falls apart. Initially resilient, she seeks comfort in companionship, only to be drawn into a toxic dynamic with her new roommate, Hedy. Her journey explores themes of vulnerability and strength as she confronts betrayal and fights for her survival.

💻 Career-driven ❤️ Vulnerable 🚀 Resourceful

Hedra "Hedy" Carlson

Hedy is a complex character driven by her unresolved trauma and deep-seated loneliness. Her transition from a supportive roommate to a dangerous obsessive illustrates the impact of mental health issues. Hedy's need for connection leads her to imitate Allie, ultimately resulting in violent consequences.

🌀 Obsessive 😔 Traumatized 🔪 Dangerous

Sam Rawson

Sam is Allie's ex-fiancée, whose actions inadvertently trigger Allie's emotional turmoil. His past relationship with Hedy introduces an additional layer of complexity to the narrative, highlighting themes of betrayal and jealousy. Sam's character acts as the catalyst for the ensuing chaos, leaving Allie to contend with the fallout.

💔 Unfaithful 😟 Troubled 🚷 Caught in turmoil

Mitchell Myerson

Mitchell is the owner of a fashion house who attempts to manipulate Allie for his gain. His inappropriate advances act as another layer of conflict in the narrative, pushing Allie toward Hedy for support. As a character, Mitchell represents the exploitative aspects of ambition within the competitive world of fashion.

👔 Manipulative 👀 Exploitative 💼 Ambitious

Setting


Location

Ansonia building

The Ansonia building is a historic structure known for its elegant architecture and vibrant urban life. It's a melting pot of different stories, housing residents who often find themselves intertwined in complex relationships. This setting serves as the backdrop for Allie's tumultuous journey, encapsulating themes of comfort and betrayal.

🏢 Building 🏙️ City Life

Themes


🌀

Obsession

Obsession plays a central role in the movie as Hedy's fixation on Allie escalates from admiration to dangerous mimicry. This theme highlights the psychological turmoil resulting from loneliness and trauma, leading to destructive behaviors. Hedy's obsession ultimately becomes a catalyst for violence, as she tries to erase Allie's past and identity.

🔗

Trust

The theme of trust is intricately woven into the story, as Allie transitions from a place of security in her relationships to a state of betrayal and danger. Hedy initially presents herself as a caring friend, but her ulterior motives instigate doubt and paranoia. The breakdown of trust leads to dire consequences for both women.

🕳️

Isolation

Isolation manifests in various forms throughout the movie, particularly in Hedy's backstory of losing her twin sister. This loss drives her loneliness and need for connection, which she seeks through Allie. However, this craving ultimately turns toxic, illustrating how isolation can warp human relationships.

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