The Broken Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman sees herself, crashes her car, and then gets really confused about who’s who, kinda like going to a family reunion after a long nap.

🍿 The Broken: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Shattered Reflection

Radiologist Gina McVey celebrates her father John’s birthday with her boyfriend Stefan, brother Daniel, and his girlfriend Kate. During the dinner, a mirror inexplicably shatters, foreshadowing the unsettling events to come. This event sets the stage for Gina’s descent into a reality where identity is fluid and trust is fragile.

Doppelganger Discovery

The next day, Gina spots a woman driving an identical car who looks exactly like her. She follows the doppelganger to an apartment where she finds a photo of herself and her father. Shaken, Gina has a car accident, leading to memory loss and a distorted perception of reality. This event is the catalyst for her unraveling sense of self.

Unraveling Reality

Upon returning home, Gina begins to doubt Stefan’s identity, sensing a change in his demeanor. She experiences vivid nightmares and unsettling visions that blur the line between dream and reality. Determined to uncover the truth, Gina investigates the strange occurrences, discovering that those around her may not be who they seem.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gina McVey (Lena Headey): A radiologist who experiences unsettling events after seeing her doppelganger, leading her to question her reality.
• Dr. Robert Zachman (Ulrich Thomsen): Gina’s boyfriend who seems different after her accident, adding to her confusion and paranoia.
• Stefan Chambers (Melvil Poupaud): Gina’s boyfriend whose true identity is questioned as Gina investigates the doppelganger phenomenon.
• John McVey (Richard Jenkins): Gina’s father whose connection to the doppelganger events becomes a central part of the mystery.
• Daniel McVey (Asier Newman): Gina’s brother who becomes wary of Gina’s behavior and the changes around them.
• Kate Coleman (Michelle Duncan): Daniel’s girlfriend who meets a gruesome fate as the doppelgangers emerge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kate Coleman: “I guess that’s seven years back luck then.” – Said after a mirror breaks during a dinner party, referencing the superstition.
• Gina McVey: “I thought it was seven years bad sex.” – Whispered mischievously in response to Kate’s comment about bad luck, adding dark humor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $1,688,551

💥 The Broken Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘The Broken’ hoping for some mind-bending horror. Lena Headey is great, but the movie left me with more questions than answers. The slow pace built tension, but the lack of payoff felt frustrating. There were parts that were truly creepy. The shower scene was unnerving, and the subway scene was intense, but I feel it could have been better. I would have liked a bit more resolution.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films about identity and reality”
  • “Those who appreciate slow-burn horror movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Thematic elements of identity theft”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Invocus.net: “Jamie Robert Ward praises the film’s artistic horror, drawing parallels to Lynch and Hitchcock. He emphasizes the film’s cerebral approach, focusing on atmosphere and suspense rather than cheap scares. Ward finds the allegory intriguing, detailing the death of a person through self-inflicted means, with the doppelgänger representing the shift from life to death.
• IMDB: “One IMDb reviewer noted that the movie ‘manages to scare while simultaneously tickling the intellect.’ They felt the movie subscribes to the roots of the more artistically-driven horror movie, focusing largely on atmosphere and suspense with plenty of mystery.
• IMDB: “Another IMDb reviewer felt that the film ultimately had a ‘disappointing and pointless conclusion without any explanation for what is actually happening.’

Audience Reactions

The movie left me in awe and wonder after watching the movie: The movie establishes a dark reality.

Overall Consensus: Viewers are divided, with some praising its atmosphere and psychological depth, while others find it confusing and lacking a satisfying resolution.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was part of the ‘8 Films to Die For’ horror festival in its third edition.”
• “Sean Ellis, known for ‘Cashback,’ directed and wrote ‘The Broken,’ showcasing his shift into psychological horror.”
• “The film explores themes of identity and reality, influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe and classic horror films.”
• “Filming took place at Greenford Studios in London, emphasizing the city’s eerie atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Broken?

As of October 2024, “The Broken” is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may change over time. While it may not be included in a flat-rate subscription, these services typically offer both purchase and rental options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Broken, you might like these similar films:

• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): Explores similar themes of identity and replacement by unknown entities, creating a pervasive sense of paranoia.
• Mirrors (2008): Both films utilize mirrors as a gateway to a terrifying alternate reality, playing on primal fears of reflections and doppelgangers.
• Jacob’s Ladder (1990): Features a protagonist struggling with distorted perceptions of reality, blurring the lines between what is real and what is imagined.
• Session 9 (2001): Shares a slow-burn psychological horror approach, delving into the unraveling sanity of characters amidst a sinister atmosphere.
• The Twilight Zone: Mirror Image (1960): Explores the concept of doppelgangers and fractured realities, influencing later films with its eerie and unsettling narrative.

🛒 The Broken Related Products

• Mirrors (Unrated): Starring Kiefer Sutherland. A troubled security guard discovers that mirrors are not what they seem. Digital download of the unrated edition for a suspenseful viewing experience.
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) [Blu-ray]: A San Francisco health inspector investigates a frightening phenomenon: people are being replaced by emotionless duplicates. Special features include commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of Alfred Hitchcock films. Films include ‘Psycho’ and ‘Vertigo.’
• The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: All episodes of the classic Twilight Zone television series, remastered in high definition.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “At Last” – performed by Etta James

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Beyoncé – Broken-Hearted Girl (Video)

Ever felt that sting of heartbreak? Beyoncé captures it perfectly in ‘Broken-Hearted Girl’. It’s a powerful song that hits you right in the feels, especially if you enjoyed the movie – trust me, the lyrics resonate on a whole new level!

FIX A BROKEN CELL-PHONE WITH CARDBOARD RAMEN！#asmr

Can you believe someone fixed a broken cell phone with cardboard ramen?! I thought it was unreal, and if you liked the resourcefulness shown in the movie, you need to watch this!

BROKEN FINGERNAIL!

Ever broken a nail and felt like your world ended? This hilarious video perfectly captures that dramatic moment. If you need a good laugh after all the feels from the movie, this is the one to watch. I guarantee you’ll relate!

✨ Rate