The Ones Below Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two couples have babies, one couple is evil and steals the other couple’s baby by making the mom think she’s crazy, all because someone tripped over a cat; London’s terrifying housing market is to blame.

🍿 The Ones Below: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dinner Party Gone Wrong

Kate and Justin, an expecting couple, live in a London flat. New neighbors, Jon and Theresa, move in below them, also expecting. The couples meet and, seeking to build a friendly rapport, Kate and Justin invite Jon and Theresa to dinner. During the dinner, tensions rise as it is revealed that Jon and Theresa have struggled to conceive for seven years, while Kate and Justin conceived quickly.

Tragedy Strikes

Theresa, secretly drinking wine throughout the evening, becomes unwell and attempts to leave. In her haste, she trips over Kate’s cat on the stairs and falls, resulting in the loss of her baby. This incident creates a rift between the couples, filled with blame and resentment. Jon and Theresa subsequently move away, leaving a note expressing their inability to be happy for Kate and Justin’s growing family.

Return and Rising Suspicion

After Kate and Justin welcome their baby Billy, Jon and Theresa return. They appear to have moved on from the tragedy, but Kate becomes increasingly suspicious of their intentions. Theresa offers to babysit Billy, which makes Kate nervous. Kate sees Theresa behaving strangely with Billy, further fueling her anxieties. She suspects the couple of sinister motives, leading to a breakdown in her mental state.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kate (Clémence Poésy): A pregnant woman who becomes increasingly paranoid about her downstairs neighbors after a tragedy.
• Justin (Stephen Campbell Moore): Kate’s husband who struggles to balance his work and his increasingly distressed wife.
• Jon (David Morrissey): The intimidating husband of Theresa, who harbors a dark and vengeful nature.
• Theresa (Laura Birn): Jon’s wife, who experiences a devastating loss and becomes fixated on Kate’s baby.
• Tessa (Deborah Findlay): Kate’s estranged mother whose relationship is strained due to past trauma.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Theresa: “Only when you lose someone utterly dear to you, utterly and totally dear, can you understand just how little we know. About death, about the soul, who we are.” – Theresa reflects on loss, hinting at the darkness and lack of understanding that drives her actions.
• Theresa: “You don’t deserve that thing inside you!” – Theresa’s outburst after her accident reveals her envy and resentment towards Kate’s successful pregnancy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $12,488
• Worldwide Gross: $121,827

💥 The Ones Below Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed this film, but the end just kind of fizzled out for me. The build-up was intense, and the acting was spot-on, especially Clémence Poésy. I felt so much anxiety for her character as she starts to unravel. There were some truly unsettling moments, like when she catches Theresa trying to breastfeed her baby, which really heightened the suspense. It’s a creepy movie with disturbing undertones, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers. I loved it, but wanted more from the conclusion.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films about paranoia and motherhood”
  • “Those who appreciate slow-burn, suspenseful stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infant loss”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “The Ones Below creates a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere that keeps you guessing. The film is a success because of its cinematography and writing. Poesy is amazing in her role as the nervous mother and steals the show with her petit appearance. An excellent thriller.
• IMDB: “A great build-up of mood and suspense leads to a predictable climax. Stellar acting performances are nearly undone by a major plot hole at the end which has made this a disappointing watch. It’s worth watching for a very tense buildup, but it’s ultimately forgettable.
• IMDB: “The Ones Below offers great thrills with each of the actors displaying a menacing nature. Although the actors do their best, the film has a lack of imagination. It is entertaining, but spoon-fed to the audience. Its questions are superficial and acceptable for Britain’s smaller screen.

Audience Reactions

The unsettling atmosphere and slow-burn suspense were praised by many viewers.: Most viewers found the film intriguing and the acting convincing, but some were disappointed by the ending’s plot holes.

Overall Consensus: The Ones Below is a suspenseful thriller with strong performances but is ultimately let down by its predictable ending and plot inconsistencies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer/director David Farr is also known for his work as a playwright and screenwriter, including writing for the TV series “The Night Manager.””
• “The film explores themes of grief, envy, and the anxieties surrounding parenthood, using the close confines of the apartment setting to create a claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere.”
• “Filming took place in Canonbury, Islington, London, using real residential locations to enhance the film’s realistic and unsettling tone.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Ones Below?

As of today, you can stream ‘The Ones Below’ on multiple platforms. It’s available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary by region. Unfortunately, it is not available on any subscription streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Ones Below, you might like these similar films:

• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Shares themes of paranoia, pregnancy, and sinister neighbors with a psychological horror element.
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992): Explores a similar plot of a woman infiltrating a family to take their child.
• Goodnight Mommy (2014): Features unsettling psychological horror with a focus on maternal anxieties and disturbing family dynamics.
• Parasite (2019): Highlights the theme of class differences and people infiltrating another family’s life, showcasing suspense and unexpected twists.

🛒 The Ones Below Related Products

• Rosemary’s Baby (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A classic film that served as a source of inspiration of The Ones Below, presented in a pristine Criterion Collection edition. The Rosemary’s Baby Criterion Collection will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
• Apartment (Kindle Edition): A thriller novel that explores themes of neighborly paranoia and suspense. This page-turner is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end. If you enjoyed The Ones Below, you’re sure to love Apartment.
• The Governor – The Walking Dead – Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: A Funko Pop! figure of David Morrissey’s character, The Governor, from The Walking Dead. This detailed and stylized figure is a must-have for fans of Morrissey’s work. It is perfect for display on your work desk to scare away coworkers!
• Baby Monitor with Camera: A high-quality baby monitor that allows you to keep a watchful eye on your little one. Give yourself extra assurance and security when parenting.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Take Me Tonight” – performed by Gene Pitney

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They Live Next To Psycho Couple And Make a Mistake That Will Ruin Their Lives

Ever get a little lost trying to keep up with all the twists in ‘The Ones Below’? This recap breaks it all down for you, so you can finally understand what everyone was thinking! I think it’s a great way to revisit a complex film.

✨ Rate