The Lobster Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A recently divorced guy checks into a hotel, tries to find a mate or get turned into a lobster, then joins forest rebels who hate love, only to then fall in love and maybe blind himself, because…reasons.

🍿 The Lobster: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival at The Hotel

In a dystopian near future, single people are forced to check into The Hotel. David, recently single after his wife leaves him for another man, arrives with his brother, who has been transformed into a dog. The Hotel operates under strict rules aimed at pairing people off romantically.

Hotel Life and Pairing Attempts

Hotel guests participate in mandatory social activities and hunts in the surrounding forest to earn extra time to find a partner. David attempts to find common ground with other guests, focusing on superficial similarities to avoid being turned into an animal. The pressure to conform and find a mate is intense and often absurd.

Escape to the Loners

Frustrated with the Hotel’s artificial environment, David escapes into the forest and joins a group of Loners. The Loners live by a different set of rules: they strictly prohibit any form of romantic relationship or physical intimacy. The leader of the Loners enforces these rules harshly.

Finding Love Among the Loners

Despite the Loners’ rules, David finds himself drawn to a woman who, like him, is nearsighted. They develop a secret, non-verbal connection. Their shared disability becomes the foundation of their bond, but the Loners’ strict rules threaten to expose their forbidden love.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David (Colin Farrell): A recently divorced man who checks into the Hotel to avoid being turned into an animal, hoping to find a partner.
• Short Sighted Woman (Rachel Weisz): A member of the Loners in the woods who develops a genuine connection with David.
• Hotel Manager (Olivia Colman): The strict and unsettling authority figure who enforces the rules of the Hotel.
• Loner Leader (Léa Seydoux): The uncompromising leader of the Loners who fiercely opposes any form of romantic relationship.
• Heartless Woman (Angeliki Papoulia): A seemingly emotionless Hotel guest that David initially attempts to form a relationship with.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David: “Lobsters live for over one hundred years, are blue-blooded like aristocrats, and stay fertile all their lives. I also like the sea very much.” – David explains why he wants to be turned into a lobster if he fails to find a partner.
• Hotel Manager: “Choosing the animal is a very important decision. That is why you have to choose wisely. Because if you do become an animal, and that does happen, you will have to live with that choice for the rest of your life.” – The Hotel Manager emphasizes the seriousness of choosing an animal to become if a partner isn’t found.
• David: “Is it possible the wolf was your mother?” – David asks a man with a limp about his relationship with wolves after the man was attacked by a wolf but two stood still.
• Narrator: “It’s just, I don’t want to be responsible for your unhappiness.” – The Short-Sighted Woman narrates her thoughts about the complexities of relationships and responsibility.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,077,245
• Worldwide Gross: $17,581,104

💥 The Lobster Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, this movie is…different. I went in expecting something quirky, and I got something deeply unsettling and darkly funny. The deadpan delivery of the actors is initially off-putting, but it grows on you as the absurdity unfolds. The world Lanthimos creates is both ridiculous and eerily relatable, forcing you to confront how we define relationships and conformity. I felt a knot in my stomach, yet found myself laughing out loud at the sheer audacity of it all. The ending? Ambiguous and haunting. It stuck with me for days, prompting endless discussions with friends. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like your movies strange and thought-provoking, give it a shot. This is not a movie I will ever forget.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian films”
  • “Those who appreciate absurdist cinema”
  • “People who enjoy thought-provoking social commentary”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Guy Lodge at Variety loved the film and gave it a glowing review. I’m sure he knows a lot more about the theory of film than I do. I’m just a guy who doesn’t know much about Dramatica theory or monomyths, but I know what I like. Some reviewers consider the film a brilliant absurdist parody. I do not share their enthusiasm.
• IMDB: “It took some time to let Yorgos Lanthimos’ new film ‘The Lobster’ settle into my mind. On the surface is a dark comedy, full of rich images, and staggering performances from its principal cast. The evolution of David’s outlook on his current situation is authentic and real, as he shows the center of his heartache in only intermittent spurts.
• IMDB: “Weird, whacky & wicked but equally dull, sterile & vapid, The Lobster is a strange beast that actually begins quite well but tumbles down the road after the halfway mark to conclude on a rather uninteresting note. While I found nothing lovable about it, its parody of the society that gives way too much credit to companionship, in addition to the dig it takes at those match-making algorithms which rely on similar traits & likeness factor is one aspect I liked but in all seriousness, The Lobster is too mediocre to be of any significance.

Audience Reactions

Viewers found the movie to be unsettling with thought-provoking commentary on modern relationships.: Many viewers appreciated the weirdness and artistic expression, but others found it boring and overdone.

Overall Consensus: The Lobster is polarizing. Critics either hail it as a brilliant, darkly comedic satire or dismiss it as pretentious and overly bizarre. Audience reactions are similarly divided, with strong opinions on both sides.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Jury Prize)- 2015

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot almost entirely using natural light and without makeup to enhance the realistic and bleak atmosphere.”
• “Director Yorgos Lanthimos is known for his unique directing style, often giving actors specific instructions on movement and delivery to create a detached and unsettling tone.”
• “The hotel scenes were filmed in Parknasilla Resort & Spa, a real hotel in County Kerry, Ireland.”
• “The story is told through the eyes of the Rachel Weisz’s character.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Lobster?

The Lobster is available for streaming on various platforms, including Showtime and Kanopy (availability may vary by region). You can also rent or purchase the film on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Explores unconventional love and relationships with surreal and thought-provoking elements.
• Brazil (1985): Presents a dystopian society with dark humor and a critique of bureaucratic control, similar to The Lobster’s satirical world.
• Dogtooth (2009): Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, shares his signature style of absurdism, dark humor, and social commentary.
• Being John Malkovich (1999): Features a bizarre and surreal premise with dark comedy, exploring themes of identity and existence.

🛒 The Lobster Related Products

• The Lobster [Blu-ray]: Experience Yorgos Lanthimos’s surreal masterpiece in stunning high definition. A must-have for collectors of independent and arthouse films. Features bonus content like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• The Lobster: Original Screenplay: Delve deeper into the minds of Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou with the original screenplay. Understand the intricate details and nuances of this dystopian world. Perfect for aspiring screenwriters and die-hard fans.
• Lobster Plush Toy: Show your love for the film with a cuddly lobster plush! A unique and quirky addition to any collection, and a fun conversation starter. Made with high-quality materials for lasting enjoyment.
• Lobster Movie Poster: Get the iconic poster and display art from the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “String Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1; II Adagio Affetuoso Ed Appasionato” – performed by Ludwig van Beethoven Performed by Juilliard String Quartet

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Future Where Being Single Is Considered A Crime

Ever wondered what it would be like if being single was a crime? This video explores the dystopian concept of the movie The Lobster, where not being in a relationship is punishable by law. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking watch that will make you appreciate your singlehood!

David Foster Wallace on Importance of Quiet

Curious about the inspiration behind The Lobster? This video features an interview with David Foster Wallace, the author of the book that inspired the movie. Wallace shares his thoughts on the importance of quiet in our modern world, which is a key theme in the film. It’s a great way to dive deeper into the movie’s themes and understand the author’s perspective.

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