Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Vox Lux (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.
In January 2000, a tragic event unfolds in a Staten Island school when a boy named Cullen Active enters a classroom and opens fire, targeting his teacher first. Amid the chaos, Celeste Montgomery, portrayed by Natalie Portman, steps forward to calmly engage with Cullen, offering to pray with him. Unfortunately, he shoots her in the neck before continuing his rampage on other students.
As Celeste fights to recover from her grievous injury, she and her older sister Ellie (Stacy Martin) find solace in music, collaborating on songs that express their emotions. During a memorial for the shooting victims, Celeste performs a heartfelt piece called “Wrapped Up,” co-written with Ellie, which unexpectedly catapults her into the spotlight. She quickly attracts the attention of a manager, played by Jude Law, who helps steer her career.
Over the next two years, Celeste navigates the overwhelming pressures that accompany her rise to fame while grappling with the shadows of her past. She and Ellie enjoy a close bond, spending time together and celebrating their success. However, their joy leads to reckless behavior, including one-night stands and a betrayal when Ellie has an encounter with the manager right before the September 11 attacks. This incident marks a turning point, creating a rift between the sisters.
Celeste’s star continues to rise, with her music gaining traction on the radio and quickly warranting a demand for her debut music video, “Hologram (Smoke and Mirrors).”
Fast forward to 2017, the world faces a new crisis as a terrorist shooting on a Croatian beach raises concerns about a connection to Celeste’s music, specifically due to the masks worn by the attackers resembling those from her video. Now 31, Celeste prepares for the opening night of her concert tour for her sixth album, Vox Lux. Her manager brings her up to speed on the pressing situation before she embarks on a series of interviews.
Before her first press engagement, Celeste takes her teenage daughter Albertine (the result of her earlier one-night stand) out for lunch, where her erratic behavior fuels chaos, leading them to be thrown out by the manager. It is revealed that six years prior, Celeste had tragically blinded herself in her left eye due to substance abuse.
Tensions rise when Celeste has a confrontation with Ellie after discovering that Albertine has recently lost her virginity, a situation compounded by Ellie being the primary caregiver since birth. As the interviews unfold, Celeste spirals into a precarious state, particularly when one interviewer broaches the subject of her past driving incident. Her publicist decides to call off the remaining interviews, urging Celeste to take a breather before the concert. Ignoring this advice, Celeste engages in drug-use and a heated moment with her manager instead.
That evening, as she approaches the concert venue with her entourage, Celeste grapples with a mental breakdown. Thankfully, Ellie steps in to support her before she takes the stage.
As the concert commences, Celeste dazzles with an array of performances alongside her band and dancers. The film concludes with a reflective note: after everything she has endured, Celeste revealed to Ellie that she made a deal with the devil to survive the shooting. The final scene captures her manager, Albertine, and Ellie watching her performance with deep contemplation, culminating in a powerful moment of juxtaposed fame and inner turmoil.
Timeline
Track the key events of Vox Lux (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Tragic Shooting Incident
In January 2000, a horrific event takes place at a Staten Island school when Cullen Active enters a classroom and begins firing. The attack starts with him targeting his teacher, Celeste Montgomery, who bravely approaches him to offer prayers, but she is shot in the neck amidst the chaos.
Celeste's Recovery
Following the shooting, Celeste struggles to recover from her serious injury. During her healing process, she and her older sister Ellie find comfort in music, collaborating on songs that encapsulate their emotions and help them cope with the trauma.
Memorial Performance
At a memorial service for the victims of the shooting, Celeste performs an emotional piece called 'Wrapped Up.' Co-written with Ellie, this performance captures the audience's heart and catapults Celeste into the limelight, marking the start of her musical career.
Rise to Fame
With newfound fame, Celeste attracts the attention of a manager who helps propel her music career. Over the next two years, she experiences the overwhelming pressures of stardom while remaining close with Ellie, as they share in each other's successes.
Reckless Behavior
While enjoying their newfound success, Celeste and Ellie engage in reckless behavior, including one-night stands and strained relationships. A betrayal occurs when Ellie has an encounter with Celeste's manager, which exacerbates the tensions between the sisters.
Launch of 'Hologram (Smoke and Mirrors)'
Celeste's star power continues to grow, leading to the demand for her debut music video, 'Hologram (Smoke and Mirrors).' This visually impactful video enhances her public image and cements her presence in the music industry.
Terrorist Attack in Croatia
Fast forward to 2017, a terrorist shooting occurs on a Croatian beach, raising alarms about a potential connection to Celeste's music. The assailants' masks closely resemble those from her music video, igniting public concern over her influence.
Concert Tour Preparation
As Celeste prepares for her concert tour opening night for her sixth album, 'Vox Lux,' her manager informs her about the critical situation stemming from the Croatian attack. The pressure mounts as she readies herself for a series of press interviews soon after.
Lunch with Daughter Albertine
Before her first press engagement, Celeste takes her teenage daughter Albertine out for lunch. However, her erratic actions create chaos, eventually leading to their dismissal by her manager, highlighting the challenges of balancing fame and motherhood.
Confrontation with Ellie
Tensions peak when Celeste confronts Ellie about Albertine losing her virginity. Their relationship strains further due to Ellie being Albertine's primary caregiver, emphasizing the emotional weight Celeste carries as a mother and sister.
Interview Spiral
As the press interviews commence, Celeste finds herself in a downward spiral, triggered by an interviewer probing into her turbulent past. Her publicist decides to cancel the remaining interviews, urging her to take a moment to collect herself before the concert.
Dangerous Behavior
Ignoring the publicist's advice, Celeste engages in substance abuse before the concert. Her reckless behavior escalates during a heated discussion with her manager, illustrating the underlying chaos in her life amid her glamorous facade.
Mental Breakdown
As the concert date approaches, Celeste faces a mental breakdown in the company of her entourage. Just in time, Ellie steps in to support her, showcasing their bond amid the chaotic world of fame and personal struggle.
Concert Performance
The concert finally begins, and Celeste wows the audience with her performances alongside her band and dancers. This moment signifies the peak of her career, showcasing her talent while juxtaposing her internal struggles with celebrity life.
Reflection on Fame
In a moment of introspection, Celeste confides in Ellie about making a deal with the devil to survive her traumatic past. The film closes on a contemplative note, with her manager, Albertine, and Ellie watching her performance, reflecting on the dichotomy of her success and personal battles.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Vox Lux (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Celeste Montgomery
Celeste is a complex individual marked by both resilience and vulnerability. After surviving a traumatic shooting, she transforms into a pop sensation, but the pressures of fame, substance abuse, and tragic family dynamics spiral her into chaotic behavior. Her journey embodies the struggle between public persona and private turmoil.
Ellie
Ellie, Celeste's sister, serves as her emotional anchor but also grapples with her own feelings of jealousy and competition. Their close bond is tested throughout the narrative as the fallout from their respective choices brings tension and heartache.
The Manager
The Manager plays a pivotal role in Celeste's rise to fame, balancing professional ambition with personal complexities. His character reflects the often exploitative relationship between artists and their management, as he navigates the challenges of guiding Celeste through her turbulent career.
Albertine
Albertine is Celeste's teenage daughter, representing the next generation affected by Celeste's choices. Her coming-of-age journey intertwines with Celeste's turbulent past and highlights themes of parental influence and generational struggle.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Vox Lux (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
January 2000, 2017
The events are anchored in two significant timeframes: the tragic school shooting in early 2000, which violently alters Celeste's life, and her tumultuous career and personal struggles in 2017, where she faces the consequences of fame amid global crises.
Location
Staten Island, Croatian beach
Staten Island serves as the backdrop for a harrowing school shooting, a traumatic event that sets the tone for Celeste's life and career. Meanwhile, the Croatian beach is the site of a contemporary terrorist attack that links back to Celeste’s rise to fame, creating a stark contrast between her past and present.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Vox Lux (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Fame
Fame is a central theme in Vox Lux, depicting Celeste's rise from tragedy to superstardom. The film explores the pressures and scrutiny that accompany success, highlighting both the glamour and the darker side of celebrity culture.
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Trauma
Trauma from the school shooting profoundly impacts Celeste's life, influencing her relationships and career. This theme reflects how unresolved past experiences can haunt individuals, even when they appear successful on the surface.
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Chaos
Chaos pervades both Celeste's personal life and the larger world around her. The narrative illustrates how her unpredictable behavior and external crises create turmoil, affecting her relationships, career path, and mental well-being.
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