The Land of Steady Habits 2018
Directed by
Nicole Holofcener
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of The Land of Steady Habits (2018). 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.
Anders Hill is navigating a challenging phase of life after his recent divorce from Helene Harris. Having retired early from his finance career, he struggles to adjust to his new reality. His adult son, Preston Harris, who battles substance abuse issues, resides at the family home with Helene. Although he graduated from Northwestern University and is now working as a reading specialist with his mother, their relationship is strained.
Despite engaging in casual affairs post-divorce, Anders still harbors feelings for Helene. At a Christmas party co-hosted by Helene and their neighbor, Sophie Ashford, Anders finds himself feeling disconnected. Seeking company, he steps outside and encounters Sophie’s son, Charlie Ashford, and his friends. After being persuaded to smoke from a bong, he faces shock when he realizes the marijuana is mixed with PCP, leading to Charlie’s overdose and subsequent hospitalization. In a surprising twist, he discovers that his therapist was also present at the party.
As the legal owner of the home left to Helene, Anders grapples with the reality of the mortgage, which he’s fallen six months behind on. This realization forces him to confront his finances, recognizing he cannot afford retirement while retaining the house. His search for financial help leads him to a friend who introduces him to Barbara at a strip club. The two quickly connect and share a cab afterward.
In a drunken state, Anders mistakenly enters his former home, upsetting Helene, Preston, and Helene’s boyfriend, Donny O’Neil. Tensions escalate further when Helene is forced to fire Preston for misconduct involving a student. Feeling the weight of Anders’ financial struggles, Preston confides in Helene, revealing that their father cannot manage the mortgage.
Not long after, Preston drops by Anders’ condo to share that he has a delivery job but has been kicked out by Helene. During a visit, Charlie asks Anders for help as he tries to escape rehab, asking him to care for his pet turtle. Although Anders initially contemplates contacting Charlie’s parents, they instead venture to Charlie’s hideout, where they indulge in drugs while Charlie discusses his graphic novel about Laika. Eventually, Anders decides to return Charlie home, but the boy ends up escaping again.
In a moment of desperation, Preston delivers wine to a former acquaintance and finds himself insulted. As he navigates car troubles and discovers a broken-down life, he considers taking drastic measures with a bottle of champagne. However, he opts to leave it in front of an oncoming train instead. In a tragic turn, he later discovers Charlie’s lifeless body concealed behind a tree.
The aftermath of Charlie’s death leads to Preston being welcomed back into Helene’s home. On Christmas Eve, when the families typically gather for dinner, Preston convinces Anders to join them. During the festivities, Anders admits to using drugs with Charlie, prompting Sophie to reveal her infidelity with Anders, which had been ongoing for two years. This shocking revelation ignites a confrontation, resulting in a physical altercation between Anders and Mitchell, who assaults Anders in an explosive moment of rage.
Months pass, and Helene has sold the family home while planning a wedding in Hawaii with Donny. Meanwhile, Preston has opted to pursue graduate studies in New York City and finds his own apartment. As for Anders, he finds a semblance of stability by continuing his relationship with Barbara and caring for Charlie’s turtle, embracing a newfound sense of normalcy in his retirement.
Timeline
Track the key events of The Land of Steady Habits (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Anders' Divorce
Anders Hill faces the emotional aftermath of his recent divorce from Helene Harris. This life change forces him to reevaluate his identity and cope with the implications of retiring early from a career in finance.
Struggles with Finances
In the wake of his divorce, Anders struggles with managing the family home’s mortgage, falling six months behind in payments. This financial strain forces him to confront the unsustainable nature of his retirement while carrying the burden of home ownership.
Preston's Substance Abuse Issues
Anders’ adult son, Preston, resides with Helene, facing his own battle with substance abuse. Their strained relationship intensifies as Preston's problems complicate Anders' attempts to adjust to his new life.
Christmas Party Encounter
At a Christmas party co-hosted by Helene and her neighbor Sophie, Anders feels increasingly disconnected from those around him. His feeling of isolation pushes him outside, where he meets Sophie’s son, Charlie, and his friends.
Charlie's Overdose
During the outdoor gathering, Anders is persuaded to try a bong, only to discover it contains PCP. The situation escalates as Charlie overdoses, leading to his urgent hospitalization and leaving Anders shocked and guilty.
Visiting the Strip Club
Struggling with his finances, Anders is introduced to Barbara at a strip club by a friend. Despite the unusual setting, they share a quick connection that hints at a potential romance amidst Anders' personal turmoil.
Mistaken Return to Former Home
In a drunken stupor, Anders mistakenly enters his former home, provoking a tense confrontation with Helene and her boyfriend Donny. The mistake highlights Anders’ ongoing struggle between his past life and current reality.
Preston's Job Struggles
Feeling the weight of family pressures, Preston reveals to Helene that he has lost his job. This discussion sheds light on the family's growing tensions and Anders' inability to manage finances as he is overwhelmed by his responsibilities.
Anders Helps Charlie
Charlie, seeking to escape rehab, reaches out to Anders for help with a pet turtle. Though Anders considers the potentially harmful repercussions, they bond over shared experiences, including Charlie's ambitions in graphic novels.
Tragic Discovery
After enduring various struggles, Preston makes a heartbreaking discovery—Charlie’s lifeless body hidden behind a tree. This tragic moment not only impacts Preston deeply but also redefines family dynamics surrounding grief and accountability.
Welcoming Preston Back
In the wake of Charlie’s death, Preston finds a way back to live with Helene, highlighting the fragility of their family ties. This reunion comes with emotional weight as they grapple with their losses and navigate their new reality.
The Christmas Eve Dinner
During the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Anders admits to using drugs with Charlie, igniting conflict and revealing hidden truths. Sophie’s shocking revelation regarding an affair with Anders intensifies tensions within the group.
Escalation of Tensions
Following the explosive dinner, a confrontation occurs between Anders and Mitchell, Sophie’s boyfriend, culminating in a physical altercation. The fight symbolizes the intense emotions and unresolved conflicts that have been simmering beneath the surface.
Transition to New Lives
Months later, Anders, Preston, and Helene begin to construct new paths for themselves. Helene sells the family home while planning a wedding, and Preston pursues graduate studies, signaling a new chapter for each family member.
Anders Finds Stability
As life moves forward, Anders discovers a sense of stability in his relationship with Barbara. Embracing his role as a caretaker for Charlie's turtle, he begins to carve out a new normalcy, marking a positive change in his retirement.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring The Land of Steady Habits (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Anders Hill (Ben Mendelsohn)
Anders Hill is a recently divorced man struggling with his new reality after retiring early from his finance job. He experiences feelings of loss and confusion as he navigates his relationships with his ex-wife Helene, son Preston, and others in his life. His journey largely focuses on rediscovering himself and coming to terms with the consequences of his actions.
Helene Harris (Edie Falco)
Helene is Anders' ex-wife, who is now trying to manage her own life while dealing with the fallout of their divorce and her son's struggles. She appears strong yet vulnerable, seeking to maintain stability for herself and Preston. Her complex relationship with Anders reveals the lingering emotions and tensions of their past.
Preston Harris (Thomas Mann)
Preston is Anders' adult son, grappling with substance abuse issues and the pressure of his familial expectations. His relationship with his father is strained, reflecting the challenge of reconciling their shared experiences. As he faces his demons, Preston's character illustrates the theme of searching for identity amidst chaos.
Barbara (Connie Britton)
Barbara is a pivotal character who brings a sense of new beginning for Anders. Their connection develops quickly, symbolizing Anders' desire to move forward after his divorce. She embodies hope and companionship in his life, serving as a source of support in his transition.
Charlie Ashford (Charlie Tahan)
Charlie is a vibrant and artistic young boy who struggles with the pressures of adolescence and substance use. His relationship with Anders and Preston reveals the interconnectedness of their lives and the impact of choices made. His tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the characters' development throughout the story.
Setting
Uncover the settings of The Land of Steady Habits (2018), 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
Present day
The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting the struggles of modern life, including issues such as substance abuse and family dynamics. This period captures the complexities of personal relationships and the challenges faced within them, framed against the backdrop of a busy urban lifestyle.
Location
Financial district, Family home, Strip club
The movie features various locations, including a bustling financial district that symbolizes Anders' past career. The family home serves as a backdrop for strained relationships, particularly between Anders and his ex-wife Helene, as well as their son Preston. Additionally, the strip club represents a place of new beginnings for Anders, where he meets Barbara and starts to explore life after his divorce.
Themes
Explore the core themes of The Land of Steady Habits (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💔
Heartbreak
Heartbreak is a central theme as Anders navigates the aftermath of his divorce from Helene. His unresolved feelings for her complicate his attempts to move on, highlighting the emotional turmoil associated with lost relationships. The theme resonates through various characters, particularly in the family dynamic and Preston's struggles.
🏷️
Identity
The theme of identity manifests as Anders grapples with his new self after retiring early and facing personal crises. Both he and Preston wrestle with their roles within the family, and Anders' journey to regain stability involves understanding who he is outside of his previous career. The quest for identity is also evident in Charlie's artistic aspirations.
⚖️
Consequences
Consequences play a vital role in the narrative, particularly following Charlie's tragic overdose and death. The actions of Anders and others lead to a series of events that deeply affect their lives and relationships. Themes of accountability and the ripple effects of choices made are prevalent throughout the story, driving home the message of responsibility.
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
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.