Unlovable 2018
Directed by
Suzi Yoonessi
Made by
Orion Classics
Plot Summary
Joy grapples with a debilitating addiction to sex and love. Right at the film’s beginning, she attempts to take her own life by swallowing pills and downing NyQuil, but fate intervenes, and she survives. Engulfed in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend, Ben, who works alongside her as an actor on a children’s show but treats her poorly, Joy feels an incessant void within her. In her relentless quest to fill this emptiness, she finds herself turning to drugs, alcohol, and fleeting sexual encounters, but nothing seems to satisfy her longing.
After Ben disappoints her by canceling their plans, Joy seeks solace in alcohol and ends up sleeping with another man. The next day, the remnants of her escapade are evident when Ben discovers pierogies in the fridge—a telltale sign of her reckless night. Subsequently, he makes the decision to break up with her, urging her to seek help.
Desperate for change, Joy attends a meeting for sex and love addicts, where she encounters Maddie. Initially reluctant, Maddie eventually shares her phone number with Joy, hinting at a possible connection. That same night, Ben tells Joy she needs to move out, propelling her into further chaos. She finds herself waking up in a stranger’s house, surrounded by men recovering from a Bachelor party, and is horrified to discover a stack of photographs depicting her previous night’s antics. One of the men mistakes her for a prostitute and offers money for her “services.” Disheartened, she receives a call from her boss, who informs her of her firing. In her distress, she attempts to reach out to Ben and her parents, but finds no support.
In a moment of desperation, she reaches out to Maddie, who rescues her and agrees to be her sponsor on the condition that Joy remains sober from sex and romance for a challenging 30 days. As Joy battles her urges, she heeds Maddie’s advice to pick up a new hobby, stumbling upon a drum kit owned by Maddie’s socially awkward brother, Jim. Together, as they create music, a unique and unanticipated friendship begins to blossom between them, offering Joy a glimmer of hope in her tumultuous journey.
Timeline
Suicidal Attempt
At the beginning of the film, Joy faces her debilitating addiction and attempts to take her own life by swallowing pills and downing NyQuil. However, fate intervenes, and she survives the harrowing event, marking a significant moment in her struggle.
Toxic Relationship
Joy is engulfed in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend Ben, who treats her poorly despite their professional collaboration on a children's show. This relationship exacerbates her emotional void and contributes to her desperate quest for solace.
Seeking Solace in Alcohol
After Ben disappoints her by canceling plans, Joy turns to alcohol for comfort. In her intoxicated state, she ends up sleeping with another man, further complicating her life and emotions.
Ben's Discovery
The next day, Joy faces the consequences of her actions when Ben discovers pierogies in the fridge, revealing her reckless night. This leads to a confrontation that culminates in his decision to break up with her.
Breakup and Urgent Reflection
Following their breakup, Ben urges Joy to seek help, creating a moment of desperation for her. This pivotal moment drives Joy to confront her addiction head-on, seeking a way out of her chaotic existence.
Attending a Support Meeting
Desperate for change, Joy attends a meeting for sex and love addicts. There, she meets Maddie, who, despite her initial reluctance, offers her phone number, suggesting a budding connection and potential support.
Forced to Move Out
That same evening, Ben tells Joy she needs to move out, leaving her feeling more alone and vulnerable. This intensifies her feelings of isolation and prompts her to seek immediate assistance in her personal battle.
Morning After the Bachelor Party
Joy awakens in a stranger's house surrounded by men recovering from a Bachelor party. Horrified, she finds photographs of her reckless night, leaving her feeling ashamed and lost.
Misunderstanding and Rejection
One of the men in the house mistakes Joy for a prostitute and offers her money for services. This devastating moment further highlights her descent into despair and the consequences of her addiction.
Loss of Employment
Amidst the chaos, Joy receives a call from her boss informing her that she has been fired. This loss compounds her feelings of worthlessness and alienation, deepening her crisis.
Reaching Out for Help
Desperate and feeling abandoned, Joy attempts to reach out to Ben and her parents but finds no support. In a moment of vulnerability, she decides to call Maddie, who represents her last hope.
Rescue by Maddie
Maddie rescues Joy from her turmoil and agrees to be her sponsor on the condition that Joy remains sober from sex and romance for 30 days. This agreement signifies the start of Joy's commitment to recovery.
Finding a New Hobby
In an effort to combat her cravings, Maddie encourages Joy to pick up a new hobby. She stumbles upon a drum kit belonging to Maddie's socially awkward brother Jim, leading her to explore music as a therapeutic outlet.
Blossoming Friendship
As Joy and Jim create music together, an unexpected friendship begins to form. This connection provides Joy with a sense of hope and support that has been absent in her life, contributing positively to her recovery journey.
A Turning Point
The growing bond between Joy and Jim becomes a turning point in her path to recovery. Their shared experiences and mutual understanding help her navigate the complexities of her addiction while fostering personal growth.
Characters
Joy
Joy is a young woman plagued by an addiction to sex and love, desperately trying to fill an emotional void in her life. Her journey is marked by self-destructive behaviors, including casual relationships and substance abuse. Throughout the movie, Joy evolves from a place of despair to hopeful recovery, revealing her resilience and complexity.
Ben
Ben is Joy's boyfriend, who is emotionally neglectful and treats her poorly despite their close relationship as actors. His decision to break up with her after she disappoints him catalyzes Joy's spiral into chaos. Ben represents the toxic dynamics that can exacerbate addiction and emotional struggles.
Maddie
Maddie serves as a guiding figure in Joy's life, eventually becoming her sponsor as she navigates recovery. Initially hesitant, Maddie's willingness to support Joy showcases her compassion and understanding of addiction. Their relationship emphasizes the transformative power of mentorship and friendship.
Jim
Jim is Maddie's socially awkward brother who unwittingly becomes an ally in Joy's recovery. Through their shared musical endeavors, he helps Joy find a new passion and purpose. Jim's character adds depth to the theme of friendship, representing the beauty of connection that can arise in unexpected circumstances.
Setting
Time period
The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern-day social issues such as addiction and relationships in a fast-paced environment. The characters navigate through a world defined by transient connections and the pressure of societal expectations, making Joy's battle with her addictions more relatable to today’s audience.
Location
Stranger's House, Joy's Home, Madelife's Home
The film takes place in various locations including Joy's home and a stranger's house where she wakes up after a night of reckless behavior. The urban backdrop serves as a canvas for Joy's tumultuous experiences, emphasizing the emotional isolation she feels amidst bustling surroundings. These places symbolize Joy's internal struggles and the chaotic journey she embarks on.
Themes
💔
Addiction
The film delves deeply into the theme of addiction, specifically looking at Joy's struggles with both love and sex. Her overwhelming need to fill an emotional void leads to destructive behaviors, showcasing the dark side of seeking fulfillment through unhealthy means. The narrative illustrates the harsh realities of addiction and the journey towards recovery.
🔄
Recovery
The theme of recovery is central to the plot, as Joy takes steps towards reclaiming her life after a series of unfortunate events. Her attendance at a sex and love addicts meeting marks the beginning of her transformative journey. Throughout the story, Joy's struggles highlight the importance of support systems and personal determination in overcoming addiction.
🎶
Friendship
As Joy navigates her challenges, an unexpected friendship with Jim, Maddie's socially awkward brother, emerges. This connection provides Joy with emotional support and the sense of belonging she desperately seeks. The film underscores the importance of authentic relationships in one's journey toward healing and self-discovery.
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