Ingrid Goes West Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl loses her mom, spirals into social media obsession, kidnaps a dog, and becomes internet famous for almost dying; relatable.

🍿 Ingrid Goes West: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Ingrid’s Obsession

Ingrid Thorburn, a young woman with a history of mental instability, is consumed by social media, specifically Instagram. She fixates on the seemingly perfect life of Taylor Sloane, a Los Angeles-based influencer. After an incident at a wedding stemming from an Instagram snub, Ingrid decides to drastically change her life.

Moving to Los Angeles and Infiltrating Taylor’s Life

Ingrid inherits money from her mother’s death and uses it to move to Venice, California, determined to befriend Taylor. She rents a house from Dan Pinto, an aspiring screenwriter obsessed with Batman. Ingrid meticulously plans her encounters with Taylor, stalking her online and in real life, mirroring her style, and frequenting the same places.

Friendship and Its Discontents

Ingrid successfully engineers a meeting with Taylor and her husband, Ezra. She quickly becomes enmeshed in their lives, presenting a carefully curated version of herself. However, the cracks begin to show as Ingrid struggles to maintain the facade and her past actions threaten to be exposed, especially with the arrival of Taylor’s brother, Nicky.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza): An unhinged and lonely social media stalker who moves to Los Angeles to befriend her Instagram obsession.
• Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen): An Instagram-famous influencer whose curated online life becomes Ingrid’s obsession and hides a shallow reality.
• Dan Pinto (O’Shea Jackson Jr.): An aspiring screenwriter and Batman enthusiast who becomes Ingrid’s landlord and unlikely confidant.
• Ezra O’Keefe (Wyatt Russell): Taylor’s husband, an artist struggling with his own identity and disillusionment with his wife’s social media persona.
• Nicky Sloane (Billy Magnussen): Taylor’s reckless and recovering drug addict brother, who exposes Ingrid’s lies.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ingrid Thorburn: “Fuck me, Bruce. Gotham needs you.” – Ingrid says this to Dan, playing on his Batman obsession, to manipulate him.
• Taylor Sloane: “Check it out next time you’re in LA.” – This seemingly innocuous comment from Taylor to Ingrid ignites Ingrid’s obsession and sets the plot in motion.
• Taylor Sloane: “You need professional help!” – Taylor exclaims this during a confrontation with Ingrid, highlighting Ingrid’s deteriorating mental state.
• Ingrid Thorburn: “#iamingrid” – This hashtag becomes the rallying cry for Ingrid’s viral video, encapsulating her desire for acceptance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2 million
• Domestic Gross: $3.02 million
• Worldwide Gross: $3.15 million

💥 Ingrid Goes West Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Ingrid Goes West’ totally messed with my head, but in a good way. Aubrey Plaza *kills* it as Ingrid, making you almost feel sorry for this crazy stalker. The way the movie shows how fake Instagram can be is so on point, it’s almost scary. That scene where Ingrid tries to be Taylor? Cringe-city, but so real! I kept thinking about how much of my own life is filtered for social media after watching it. Definitely a conversation starter!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary on social media”
  • “Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen fans”
  • “Those who enjoy indie films with complex characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide attempt”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mental health themes”
  • “Stalking”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A darkly funny and unsettling satire of social media obsession, buoyed by strong performances from Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen. The film deftly explores the blurred lines between online persona and real identity.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Ingrid Goes West is a sharp-edged comedy with a disturbing undercurrent. Plaza is captivating as the unhinged Ingrid, and the film offers a timely commentary on the curated realities of Instagram.
• IndieWire: “Matt Spicer’s clever debut delivers a piercing critique of social media culture. Aubrey Plaza shines as a disturbed woman who confuses likes for love. Olsen plays the influencer. Worth watching.

Audience Reactions

Aubrey Plaza’s performance is incredible; she perfectly captures the character’s unhinged obsession.: The film’s darkly comedic tone and social commentary resonate with viewers.

It made me really think about my own social media use, it was super eye-opening.: The movie feels relevant and highlights the darker side of online culture.

Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic and unsettling satire of social media obsession, featuring standout performances and a timely message.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Bill Murray is listed in the Very Special Thanks section of the credits because Aubrey Plaza wore a dark blue sweater he gave her when she was sick while filming A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (2012). She wears it in the bank and tropical restaurant scenes.”
• “The film uses Instagram and social media platforms extensively to convey Ingrid’s obsession, mirroring how these tools are used in modern society.”
• “The character of Dan, played by O’Shea Jackson Jr., is an aspiring screenwriter obsessed with Batman, providing a counterpoint to Ingrid’s social media obsession.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ingrid Goes West?

Ingrid Goes West is available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and through various digital retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your preferred platform for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ingrid Goes West, you might like these similar films:

• Single White Female (1992): Explores themes of obsession and identity theft, with one woman attempting to replace another in her life.
• The King of Comedy (1982): Similar in how the lead is obsessively trying to insert himself into the lives of people he idolizes
• Creep (2014): Focuses on the unsettling dynamic between two people, gradually revealing a disturbing and obsessive character.
• Eighth Grade (2018): This coming-of-age film explores the impact of social media on a young girl’s self-esteem and social interactions, offering a modern perspective on digital culture and the desire for validation in the online world.

🛒 Ingrid Goes West Related Products

• Ingrid Goes West Movie Poster: High-quality print of the movie poster, capturing the film’s darkly comedic aesthetic. Perfect for fans of Aubrey Plaza and social media satire.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: The graphic novel that could inspire Dan Pinto, Ingrid’s neighbour. See how crime is fought in this collection of amazing art. A must-have for comic book aficionados and fans of the Dark Knight.
• Aubrey Plaza Signed Photo: A rare, autographed photo of Aubrey Plaza, perfect for collectors and devoted fans. A valuable piece of memorabilia.
• Fake Famous: HBO Documentary: HBO documentary showing the cost of social media fame. What is truth? How does fame affect people’s real lives? A thought-provoking look at the influencer industry.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ingrid Goes West features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “One Thing Leads to Another” – performed by The Fixx

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Aubrey Plaza Rewatches Parks & Rec, White Lotus, Ingrid Goes West & More | Vanity Fair

Ever wonder what actors *really* think of their own performances? Aubrey Plaza revisits some of her iconic roles, including ‘Ingrid Goes West,’ and her commentary is hilarious and insightful. It’s cool to hear her thought process!

Elizabeth Olsen and Aubrey Plaza Review Kids Toys | Glamour

Want to see Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen review kids’ toys? It sounds random, but it’s surprisingly funny and a nice break from serious movie talk. You’ll get to see their personalities shine through!

Who’s telling the truth? Aubrey Plaza or Elizabeth Olsen?

Did Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen have the same experience filming ‘Ingrid Goes West’? Vanity Fair pits their recollections against each other, and it’s pretty funny to see where their stories diverge. Who do *you* believe?

Aubrey Plaza | Most Memorable Roles #shorts #ytshorts

Aubrey Plaza is amazing, right? This quick video highlights some of her most memorable roles, including ‘Ingrid Goes West.’ It’s a great reminder of why she’s so captivating, and her performance in this film is definitely one of her best!

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