Logo What's After the Movie
In a gritty game of love and deception, reclusive gym manager Lou's world is turned upside down by his intense passion for Jackie, a driven bodybuilder chasing her dreams in Vegas. As their romance sparks, it triggers a violent reckoning with Lou's troubled past and the dark secrets of his criminal family.

In a gritty game of love and deception, reclusive gym manager Lou's world is turned upside down by his intense passion for Jackie, a driven bodybuilder chasing her dreams in Vegas. As their romance sparks, it triggers a violent reckoning with Lou's troubled past and the dark secrets of his criminal family.

Does Love Lies Bleeding have end credit scenes?

No!

Love Lies Bleeding does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Love Lies Bleeding

Explore the complete cast of Love Lies Bleeding, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Love Lies Bleeding

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


Metacritic

77

Metascore

6.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

94%

TOMATOMETER

review

81%

User Score

IMDb

6.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

66

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.5

From 3.5K fan ratings

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate Love Lies Bleeding Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Love Lies Bleeding 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.


Love Lies Bleeding Quiz: Test your knowledge on the intricate and intense storyline of 'Love Lies Bleeding'.

Who plays the character Lou in the movie?

Awards & Nominations for Love Lies Bleeding

Explore awards

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


78th British Academy Film Awards 2025

Nomination

Outstanding British Film

56th NAACP Image Awards 2025

Nomination

Outstanding British Film

40th Independent Spirit Awards 2025

Nomination

Best Breakthrough Performance

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Love Lies Bleeding

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Love Lies Bleeding, 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.


Lou, played by Kristen Stewart, is employed at a gritty gym, where she finds herself unclogging toilets while being persistently pursued by Daisy, portrayed by Anna Baryshnikov, for a date. The story takes a turn when Jackie, played by Katy O’Brian, arrives in town and engages in a brief liaison with JJ, represented by Dave Franco, to secure a job at a nearby gun range. Stranded without a place to stay, Jackie finds refuge beneath a bridge, mingling her nights with workouts.

Lou makes a visit to her sister, Beth, played by Jena Malone, who resides in a chaotic household filled with children and shows evident signs of abuse from her husband, JJ. While JJ takes Jackie on a tour of the gun range, he introduces her to the owner, portrayed by Ed Harris. On visiting the gym, Lou is instantly captivated by Jackie, but her daydreaming is cut short by the inquiry of two FBI agents regarding her estranged father. When Lou and Jackie chat outside, they’re interrupted by two patrons who make advances towards Jackie, only to be met with her fierce rejection. Their scuffle leads Lou to rush Jackie inside for safety.

The conversation shifts to Jackie’s aspiration to travel to Vegas for a bodybuilding competition. Offering support, Lou presents her a stash of steroids, which prompts Jackie to agree to an injection. This leads the two to cross boundaries, sharing an intimate moment that escalates into a passionate encounter at Lou’s apartment.

As the plot unfolds, Lou grapples with the fact that Jackie works at the gun range owned by her father, Lou Sr. The relationship blossoms into a steamy and intense connection filled with love and steroid use. Meanwhile, Lou Sr. operates a criminal smuggling operation and begins imparting gun skills to Jackie.

An awkward double date with JJ and Beth showcases Beth’s visible bruises, resulting in Lou confronting JJ in a volatile bathroom encounter where he hints that Jackie could just be using her. This tension drives the couple to flee when they spot FBI agents nearby.

Lou’s life takes a drastic turn when she learns that Beth has been hospitalized due to serious injuries caused by JJ. Despite her fury, Lou feels powerless as the police require Beth to file charges for any legal action to be taken against JJ. Witnessing Lou’s devastation, Jackie becomes enraged and embarks on a path of vengeance against JJ.

Lou stumbles upon a grim scene at Beth’s house, discovering Jackie in a catatonic state beside JJ’s body. After a moment of shock, Lou sets about the grim task of disposing of the body with Jackie’s reluctant help. As they push JJ’s car into a gorge and watch it engulfed in flames, Lou reassures Jackie that they will not be implicated.

The aftermath sees tensions rise as Lou attempts to maintain normalcy while Jackie, driven by her steroid-induced rage, heads for a bodybuilding competition in Vegas. However, her performance crumbles, leading to a humiliating meltdown on stage where she lashes out violently at other competitors, resulting in her arrest.

The drama heightens when Lou Sr. confronts Lou over the repercussions of their actions, forcing her to navigate a dangerous web of bloody cover-ups and deceit. Lou’s chaotic attempts to protect Jackie lead to a series of violent confrontations including a harrowing moment where Jackie’s loyalty is put to the test, ultimately culminating in a showdown between Lou and her father.

Taxed by a whirlwind of betrayal, love, and violence, Lou makes a crucial decision to leave her past behind, but not before dealing with one last reminder of betrayal—Daisy, who proves to be a lingering threat. As Lou drives off into the desert alongside Jackie, she makes one final act of desperation, forever altering their fates in a striking conclusion to their tumultuous journey.

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

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Love Lies Bleeding

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Love Lies Bleeding. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official Trailer 2

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.


lesbianfemale bodybuilderfemale female kissfemale rear nuditylesbian sexfemale nuditynon traditional familylesbianismtoe suckingfemale topless nudityf rateddrug crimetitle directed by femalebodybuilderfitnessfemale muscle growthlesbian foot fetishsex sceneunclogging toilet with handreference to popeye the sailorfingering a bullet holegiant womanmullet haircutrear nudityfemale masturbationshaved vaginasexualized female attiretoxicitysexualized female movie postersexualized female imageryfistfightyear 1989three word titlef worddrug addictionalliteration in title1980slas vegas nevadagym managerviolencefemale female relationshiplesbian protagonistbisexual female protagonistbisexuallesbian woman bisexual woman relationshipbisexual protagonistlesbian woman bisexual woman sexbisexual womanlesbian woman bisexual woman loveclogged toilet

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.