The Meddler 2016

As the delicate veil of loneliness envelops Marnie, the grieving widow embarks on an emotional journey. The abrupt departure of her daughter, Lori, to Los Angeles for a television screenwriting opportunity compels Marnie to follow, fueled by a deep yearning to rejuvenate her life. Upon settling into her new environment, Marnie’s persistent phone calls and surprise visits begin to overwhelm Lori, who already struggles with her own emotional challenges through therapy.

Set against the sweet backdrop of Valentine’s Day, Lori reluctantly agrees to an evening with Marnie, only for her ex-boyfriend Jacob to interrupt the evening with his new partner. As Lori tries to maintain her composure, Marnie’s well-intentioned actions unintentionally derail the situation, leaving her daughter feeling humiliated and frustrated.

To better understand her daughter’s behavior, Marnie visits Lori’s therapist, seeking insight into the complexities of Lori’s actions. However, she finds herself in the hot seat as the therapist identifies Marnie’s own unresolved grief from her husband’s passing. Gaining this new self-awareness, Marnie begins to build connections outside of her sorrow-laden existence.

In her quest for companionship, she finds comfort in Freddie, a tech-savvy friend she meets while purchasing a new mobile device, and she assists him as he navigates through night classes. Encouraged by Lori, Marnie also volunteers at a hospital, where she forms a bond with a stroke victim and aids her in reconnecting with her estranged son.

At a baby shower for Emily, Marnie meets Mark, Emily’s divorced father-in-law, and they share stories about their losses, discovering a mutual understanding. Additionally, she connects with Jillian, a friend of Lori’s, offering to babysit for her. As Marnie learns that Jillian lost her mother at a young age, she instinctively adopts a maternal role, helping plan a proper wedding for the young woman.

In a series of unexpected twists, Marnie meets Freddie’s brother, Fredo, who inadvertently leaves behind a bag of marijuana. After consuming it, she encounters Zipper, a retired police officer and former extra on the same film set where she unknowingly appeared as an extra herself. The two share stories throughout the night, during which Zipper introduces Marnie to his eclectic collection of chickens.

As the night unfolds, Zipper candidly shares his pain over his estranged daughter, Lizzie, whose leaving was a direct consequence of his divorce. Marnie returns to New York City seeking closure with Lori and intends to discuss having a headstone made and scattering her husband’s ashes with his family. However, she finds herself emotionally unready for these conversations, casting a shadow over the future.

With the sun setting over Los Angeles, Lori turns to Marnie for advice as she grapples with the complexities of pregnancy. In a tender moment, Marnie mismanages the emotional gravity of the situation, focusing instead on retrieving an ovulation test kit that ignites a whirlwind of feelings and misconceptions. Lori seizes this opportunity to apologize for her recent behavior, admitting that her longing for her father has made it difficult to face her current reality. Marnie empathetically shares her own struggles with isolation but finds solace in knowing that she is not alone in her journey.

With renewed determination, Marnie finally lays her husband’s ashes to rest in the ocean, only to find herself unexpectedly arrested. Zipper steps in to support her, securing her release, and they share a tender moment, agreeing to watch an action-packed film together as a welcome distraction from their emotional struggles. As Marnie drives away, she encounters three voicemails from Lori, which she listens to with a heartfelt smile.

As time passes, Marnie adjusts comfortably to her new Los Angeles lifestyle. She leaves a warm voicemail for Lori, inquiring about her romantic endeavors and sharing her plans for a trip with Zipper, marking yet another step towards healing and rediscovery in her life.