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During a bleak New England winter, young postal worker Eileen feels trapped by her life and overbearing mother. The arrival of new counselor Rebecca Staltz brings a spark of excitement, and the two women develop an unexpected friendship. However, Rebecca harbors secrets, and as Eileen’s fascination with her grows, she is drawn into a dangerous and deceitful situation that challenges her sense of morality and forever alters her life.

During a bleak New England winter, young postal worker Eileen feels trapped by her life and overbearing mother. The arrival of new counselor Rebecca Staltz brings a spark of excitement, and the two women develop an unexpected friendship. However, Rebecca harbors secrets, and as Eileen’s fascination with her grows, she is drawn into a dangerous and deceitful situation that challenges her sense of morality and forever alters her life.

Does Eileen have end credit scenes?

No!

Eileen does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for Eileen

See how Eileen is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Eileen stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

60

Eileen demonstrates considerable strengths in its craft and performances but struggles with narrative coherence and lasting engagement. Critics praised the film’s deliberate visual style and period production design, along with nuanced lead performances that convey silent tension and emotional complexity. However, many found the central plot’s pacing uneven and its climactic turns unearned, leaving a sense of narrative disconnection. The result is a film that impresses in moments yet falls short of a fully satisfying thriller experience.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Eileen

75
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, Eileen offers a polished period design and confident visual approach. The film employs an understated color palette and inventive framing that evoke mid-century interiors and emotional restraint. Cinematography by Ari Wegner earns repeated notice for its composed tableaux and attention to detail. Overall, the production design and editing contribute a refined aesthetic foundation.

78
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, Eileen is buoyed by two compelling lead performances. The portrayal of Eileen unfolds with measured restraint, while the more worldly companion exudes magnetic charisma. Supporting roles provide textured counterpoints, even if some secondary figures feel underexplored. Together, the cast delivers strong moments of emotional resonance, anchoring the film’s intimate psychological themes.

30
Echo Score

Story & Flow

Regarding story and flow, the narrative often loses momentum through abrupt tonal shifts and underdeveloped arcs. Early intrigue gives way to a late scramble that many viewers found unearned, and pacing inconsistencies interrupt engagement. Despite occasional moments of suspense, the plot’s dramatic turns tend to feel contrived rather than organically foreshadowed. As a result, the overall storyline falls short of its thriller ambitions.

75
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In sensory experience, the film excels at creating an atmosphere of quiet unease. Subtle sound design and a restrained score heighten tension without resorting to overt shock tactics. Visual cohesion is maintained through consistent lighting and thoughtful compositional choices. While a few manipulative jump-scare moments jar the tone, the prevailing soundscape and imagery leave a lingering, haunting effect.

55
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Concerning rewatch factor, Eileen offers intriguing details but may lack broader replay appeal due to narrative inconsistencies. Close observation reveals symbolic touches and performance nuances worth revisiting, yet the uneven story structure and unpredictable tonal shifts may discourage multiple viewings. The film’s strongest assets remain its visual craftsmanship and acting, which provide limited incentive for sustained return engagement.

Metacritic

72

Metascore

6.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

82%

TOMATOMETER

review

53%

User Score

IMDb

5.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

59

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.1

From 189 fan ratings

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate Eileen Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Eileen with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Eileen Quiz: Unveiling Turmoil and Secrets: Test your knowledge on the intricate plot and characters of 'Eileen' (2023) and their emotional journeys as they navigate a world filled with chaos and unexpected connections.

What location does Eileen gaze at from her car at the beginning of the film?

Awards & Nominations for Eileen

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Eileen, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Eileen and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


39th Film Independent Spirit Awards 2024

Nomination

Best Director

William Oldroyd

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Eileen

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Read the complete plot summary of Eileen, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The film opens with a striking scene of a car facing a frozen lake, enveloped in smoke. Set in the early 1960s, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) finds herself in her vehicle, distracted by a young couple’s flirtations in a nearby car. In a moment of impulsive excitement, she shoves snow down her pants before driving back home in her smoky, malfunctioning car. Upon her arrival, she encounters her father, Jim (Shea Whigham), who is slumped in an armchair, surrounded by empty liquor bottles. Eileen dutifully replaces the bottles as a way of maintaining order in their chaotic home. After making her way to her room, she indulges in sweets, only to spit them out before drifting off to sleep.

The next day, Eileen heads to the boy’s prison where she works as a secretary. While on duty, she notices Lee Polk (Sam Nivola), a young man isolated from the other inmates. During visiting hours, Eileen performs her responsibilities of patting down the incoming female visitors while engaging in fantasies about a young guard. After work, she witnesses a going-away party for the outgoing prison psychologist, Dr. Frye (Peter Von Berg), who is being replaced the following day.

Eileen’s home life is no sanctuary. She finds Jim drunk in the street, brandishing his gun at passing pedestrians as Buck (Jefferson White), a policeman, attempts to de-escalate the situation. Once inside, Jim criticizes Eileen for failing to live up to the expectations of her late mother and sister. In an effort to keep him restrained, she locks away all of his shoes in her car.

The arrival of Rebecca St. John (Anne Hathaway), the new psychologist, shakes up Eileen’s world. Instantly captivated by Rebecca’s allure, Eileen discovers they share similar feelings of detachment from societal norms. As Christmas approaches, an annual pageant at the prison becomes chaotic due to unruly prisoners. Afterward, Eileen picks up a pack of cigarettes, reminiscent of those Rebecca had smoked earlier. It’s revealed that Lee is incarcerated for killing his father, leaving a trail of silence in the aftermath of the incident.

Eileen’s fascination with Lee escalates as she watches him through his cell window and looks through his graphic file depicting the murder. Their paths converge further when she runs into Rebecca, prompting an invitation for drinks at a local bar. Dressed to impress, Eileen heads out and, during the evening, shares intimate moments with Rebecca, culminating in a kiss that leaves her both elated and bewildered.

However, the aftermath of their night out leads Eileen to a grim reality. She awakens locked out of her home, facing the repercussions of her father’s erratic behavior. After Buck sees to the complaints regarding Jim’s antics, Eileen receives custody of his gun with strict instructions not to use it against him. Struggling with dark thoughts, she finds herself in a downward spiral.

Upon returning to work, Eileen learns that Rebecca will not be back until after the holidays. Distressed, Eileen breaks into Rebecca’s office, finding solace in solitude. When she returns home, she finds Jim in dire straits after falling down the stairs, leading to a hospital visit that exposes the severity of his alcohol dependency. Jim’s harsh words about her worthiness trigger an emotional breakdown.

Days later, an invitation to Christmas Eve at Rebecca’s home ignites hope within Eileen. The two share revelations over wine, discussing the yearning for ‘normalcy,’ but the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Rebecca unveils a shocking secret: she has Mrs. Polk, Lee’s mother, confined and under duress for her complicity in the abuse Lee endured.

With Eileen manipulated into threatening Mrs. Polk, things spiral out of control. After Mrs. Polk confesses her involvement, a moment of rage compels Eileen to shoot her. The ensuing chaos heightens Rebecca’s panic as they scramble to contain the situation, leading Eileen to propose a cover-up that would suggest Jim was responsible.

As the plot thickens, Eileen’s infatuation clouds her judgment. When Rebecca fails to return, Eileen takes matters into her own hands, devising a dark plan that involves putting Mrs. Polk in the running car. The film concludes with Eileen hitchhiking away, a smile of satisfaction indicating a newfound freedom amid her turmoil.

Eileen’s transformation from a silent observer to an active participant in violence reflects the complexities of her character, leaving audiences to grapple with the contradictions of love and moral ambiguity.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Eileen

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Official Trailer

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


lesbianprisonjuvenile detentionpsychological thriller1960syear 1964period piecefriendship between womenprison dramaworkplace dramapsychological dramaperiod dramafemale protagonistlesbian protagonistbased on novelfriendshipcharacter name as titlesecretcharacter name in title

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