Directed by
Lynn Shelton
Made by
Magnolia Pictures
As the bond between massage therapist Abby and her boyfriend Jesse begins to crumble, an unsettling aversion to human contact takes hold of Abby, forcing her to take a break from her job. This unexpected revulsion has significant consequences for her relationship with Jesse, as she finds it increasingly challenging to either touch him or be touched. In a desperate attempt to revive their connection, Abby suggests they try ecstasy pills, provided by Bronwyn, which ultimately results in the end of their cohabitation.
Meanwhile, Abby’s brother Paul grapples with the challenges of running a struggling family dentistry practice, facing dwindling clientele and a reluctance to engage in marketing. When his daughter Jenny invites her friend Henry in for a routine teeth cleaning, Paul is initially unimpressed. However, he unexpectedly alleviates Henry’s temporomandibular joint dysfunction, sparking a wave of new patients eager for his distinct healing methods. Encouraged by this newfound interest, Paul seeks out Bronwyn to learn Reiki, hoping to enhance his offerings to clients. His initial success is short-lived, however, as a disgruntled patient collapses in the waiting room, casting doubt on Paul’s abilities and causing devastating fallout. Witnessing her father’s struggles, Jenny runs from the office, tears streaming down her cheeks.
As Abby’s relationship with Jesse reaches a critical juncture, she leaves him behind, penning a breakup note and moving in with Paul. Under the influence of ecstasy, she strolls through a park, where she serendipitously meets Adrian, who introduces her to a world where her aversion to physical touch dissipates. Meanwhile, Paul stumbles upon a leftover ecstasy tablet and, driven by intrigue, consumes it, leading him to Bronwyn’s abode. There, their mutual chemistry ignites, culminating in a passionate kiss.
As Abby distances herself emotionally from Jesse, Jenny seeks solace in her ex-boyfriend, coaxing him to attend Henry’s music concert. The night wraps up with Jesse gently refusing her request to kiss, reiterating his lingering affection for Abby. Later, after Jenny falls asleep at Jesse’s home, she is roused by a knock at the door, finding Abby there, now free to embrace Jesse without hesitation.
Abby's Aversion Begins
Abby starts experiencing an unsettling aversion to human contact, which significantly affects her professional life as a massage therapist. This sudden change drives her to take a break from her job, leaving her emotionally distressed and uncertain.
Relationship Strain with Jesse
As Abby struggles with her aversion, her relationship with her boyfriend Jesse suffers greatly. The lack of physical connection creates tension and misunderstandings between the couple, leading to feelings of isolation.
Experimenting with Ecstasy
In an effort to rekindle their intimacy, Abby suggests that she and Jesse try ecstasy pills she acquires from Bronwyn. However, this risky decision does not yield the results they hope for and ultimately leads to their breakup.
Paul's Struggles at Work
Meanwhile, Abby's brother Paul is facing his own challenges as he runs a struggling family dentistry practice. He is unable to attract new clients and is hesitant to employ any marketing strategies to boost his business.
Jenny Invites Henry
Paul's daughter Jenny invites her friend Henry for a routine teeth cleaning, which initially raises Paul's disinterest. However, after helping Henry with his jaw pain, Paul finds himself drawing in more patients, intrigued by the unique healing service he provides.
Learning Reiki
Motivated by his newfound clientele, Paul approaches Bronwyn to learn Reiki, aiming to expand his dental practice's offerings. His excitement over the growth is short-lived, as the pressures of success begin to mount.
Patient Collapse
In a shocking turn of events, a disgruntled patient collapses in Paul's waiting room, leading to a wave of doubt regarding his abilities. The incident not only harms his reputation but also deeply affects his daughter's view of his profession.
Jenny's Emotional Turmoil
Witnessing her father’s struggles and the chaos surrounding his practice, Jenny reacts emotionally and runs out of the office in tears. She is overwhelmed by the pressure and disappointment she feels in her family's situation.
Abby Moves On
As her relationship with Jesse deteriorates, Abby decides to leave him, writing a breakup note in the process. She moves in with her brother Paul in search of solace and healing.
Meeting Adrian
While under the influence of ecstasy, Abby takes a walk in the park and serendipitously meets Adrian. He introduces her to a new lifestyle that helps eliminate her aversion to physical touch, emblematic of her new beginning.
Paul Consumes Ecstasy
Amidst the chaos, Paul discovers a leftover ecstasy tablet and, out of curiosity, decides to take it. This decision leads him to Bronwyn's home, where an unexpected connection ignites between them.
Paul and Bronwyn's Kiss
At Bronwyn's abode, the chemistry between Paul and Bronwyn intensifies, culminating in a passionate kiss. This moment signifies a turning point for Paul, revealing possibilities for new relationships.
Jenny Seeks Comfort
As Abby emotionally distances herself from Jesse, Jenny turns to her ex-boyfriend for comfort. She persuades him to attend Henry's music concert, hoping to distract herself from the turmoil at home.
Jesse's Reassurance
During the concert, Jesse gently declines Jenny’s request for a kiss, reaffirming his feelings for Abby. He expresses lingering affection, showcasing the emotional complexity of the relationships involved.
Abby's Return
Later that night, after Jenny has fallen asleep at Jesse's place, Abby shows up at the door. Now emotionally unburdened, she is ready to embrace Jesse without the hesitation that once plagued their relationship.
Abby
Abby is a massage therapist grappling with an unsettling aversion to human contact that strains her relationship with Jesse. Initially seeking to maintain closeness, her journey reflects a quest for self-discovery and healing. Her character embodies the struggle between emotional vulnerability and the fear of intimacy.
Jesse
Jesse is Abby's boyfriend who finds himself increasingly distanced as Abby's aversion to touch takes a toll on their relationship. He embodies the pain of unreciprocated love, showing willingness to engage emotionally, but ultimately faces rejection. His character reflects the longing for connection amidst growing separation.
Paul
Paul, Abby's brother, navigates the struggles of running a family dentistry practice while facing personal challenges. His journey of self-discovery unfolds as he seeks to enhance his skills and eventually finds unexpected romantic interest with Bronwyn. His character represents resilience and the pursuit of professional fulfillment.
Jenny
Jenny is Paul’s daughter who witnesses her father's difficulties and seeks comfort in her relationships. Her emotional arc is defined by her attempts to connect with her friends and deal with the fallout from her family's struggles. Jenny's journey illustrates the impact of familial challenges on youth.
Time period
The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationship dynamics and the challenges of emotional and physical intimacy. It captures the complexities of navigating love and personal growth in today's world.
Location
Park
The park serves as a significant setting for Abby's journey towards overcoming her aversion to physical touch. It symbolizes a space of freedom and connection, contrasting with the emotional distance she feels in her relationship with Jesse. Parks are often known for their tranquility and the opportunity for introspection.
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Emotional Distance
The theme of emotional distance is central to Abby and Jesse's relationship. Their bond deteriorates due to Abby's aversion to human contact, leading to a breakup and self-exploration. This theme reflects on how personal struggles can impact romantic connections and the pursuit of intimacy.
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Escapism
The use of ecstasy pills highlights the theme of escapism in the film. Characters seek to escape their emotional pain and relationship challenges through substances. This action ultimately complicates their situations and illustrates the conflicting nature of seeking relief.
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