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You Were Never Really Here 2018

In the gritty underworld, a ruthless hitman's quest to rescue a young trafficking victim unravels a sinister plot, forcing him to confront his troubled past and the darkness within. As the stakes escalate, he must use his deadly skills to protect the girl and bring down the corrupt forces holding her captive.

In the gritty underworld, a ruthless hitman's quest to rescue a young trafficking victim unravels a sinister plot, forcing him to confront his troubled past and the darkness within. As the stakes escalate, he must use his deadly skills to protect the girl and bring down the corrupt forces holding her captive.

Does You Were Never Really Here have end credit scenes?

No!

You Were Never Really Here does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of You Were Never Really Here

Explore the complete cast of You Were Never Really Here, 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 You Were Never Really Here

See how You Were Never Really Here is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where You Were Never Really Here stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

84

Metascore

7.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

89%

TOMATOMETER

review

64%

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

65

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.7

From 1K fan ratings

Movie Insider

2.00/5

From 6 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate You Were Never Really Here Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of You Were Never Really Here 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.


You Were Never Really Here Quiz: Test your knowledge on the intense and haunting narrative of 'You Were Never Really Here'.

What profession does Joe have?

Awards & Nominations for You Were Never Really Here

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by You Were Never Really Here, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how You Were Never Really Here and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


72nd British Academy Film Awards 2019

Nomination

Outstanding British Film

34th Film Independent Spirit Awards 2019

Nomination

Best Feature

Lynne Ramsay
Nomination

Best Director

Lynne Ramsay
Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Best Male Lead

Joaquin Phoenix
Nomination

Best Cinematography

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for You Were Never Really Here

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Read the complete plot summary of You Were Never Really Here, 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 begins with Joe, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, in a rundown motel. Joe is a skilled hired gun, specializing in recovering missing trafficked girls. After successfully completing a job, he meticulously cleans up his traces before leaving. Canvassing the streets, Joe finds himself in a confrontation with an assailant in an alley, but he skillfully defends himself and escapes. He soon locates a phone to inform his handler that the mission is accomplished.

Living in New York City with his frail mother, Judith Roberts, Joe is not only a tough operator but also a son grappling with deep emotional scars. A former FBI agent and Gulf War veteran, he suffers from PTSD, haunted by eerie flashbacks — such as the disturbing memory of a child he saw shot after Joe offered him a candy bar, traumatic scenes from an abandoned storage unit with lifeless bodies of trafficked girls, and bleak childhood recollections of evading his abusive, alcoholic father. In moments of despair, he contemplates taking his own life, often playing with a knife or standing on the precipice of train tracks.

In another grim turn, Joe visits a local bodega to collect his payment from Angel, a middleman handling communications between Joe and his handler. During their exchange, Joe expresses concern that Angel’s son Moises saw him returning home the previous night, hinting that the boy might be aware of Joe’s dangerous profession. Feeling uneasy about this, Joe decides to sever his ties with Angel.

Later, Joe meets with his handler John McCleary, who briefs him about a new assignment: he must locate the missing daughter of State Senator Albert Votto, whose daughter, Nina, has vanished. Votto wishes to avoid involving law enforcement, as he is collaborating with Governor Williams and offers a hefty sum of $50,000 for her safe return.

Upon meeting Votto, Joe learns the girl’s name and possible whereabouts, specifically noting a location notorious for sheltering trafficked girls. Votto urges Joe to punish those responsible once he retrieves his daughter. After scouring the area for supplies, Joe identifies the child trafficking hub that Nina is believed to be held captive in. The tension escalates as Joe confronts and intimidates a man for information on the number of guards present.

With steely determination, Joe infiltrates the house, eliminating any threats in his path until he finally locates Nina. He takes her to a motel, anticipating the arrival of her father, only to discover disturbing news on the television: Votto has apparently committed suicide. As chaos ensues, corrupt officers barge into the motel, seizing Nina from Joe. In a fierce struggle, Joe fights back and vanquishes one of the rogue cops.

Seeking assistance, Joe attempts to reach McCleary, only to learn that he has been killed, along with Angel and Moises. Returning home, Joe is met with the tragic sight of his mother, now lifeless in her bed. The perpetrators—still lurking—are confronted as Joe fights for survival, ultimately overpowering them. As one unfortunate assailant clings to life, Joe demands answers regarding his mother’s death and Votto’s suicide. The hitman reveals a shocking truth: Votto was part of a larger conspiracy with Governor Williams, who had vested interests in Nina.

In a moment of profound grief, Joe buries his mother by a lake, momentarily overwhelmed by sorrow, he attempts to drown himself. However, a vision of Nina jolts him back to reality, reigniting his resolve to finish what he started. As the narrative unfolds, Joe pieces together the sinister plot—realizing that Votto had sold Nina to Williams to gain favor, a decision that drove him to despair and ultimately to self-destruction.

With newfound clarity, Joe tracks Williams throughout the city, only to discover his ultimate location—at home, met with shocking circumstances as he finds the decorated official dead, a victim of throat slitting. Amidst the eerie stillness, Joe uncovers Nina in the dining room, smeared in blood, holding a razor.

Joe then takes Nina to a diner to share a meal together. While she heads to the bathroom, an unexpected turn occurs when Joe shoots himself in his despair, unnoticed by the world around him. Yet, as Nina returns, reality shifts; the scene reveals that it was merely a fantasy, as Joe remains in a clouded state of exhaustion. She gently suggests a stroll, claiming it’s a beautiful day, and with that, they fade away from view as the camera lingers on their now-abandoned booth.

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

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for You Were Never Really Here

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from You Were Never Really Here. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official UK Trailer

You Were Never Really Here (2018) TRAILER - In Cinemas SEPTEMBER

Cars Featured in You Were Never Really Here

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Explore all cars featured in You Were Never Really Here, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


BMW

2015

i8 I12

Buick

2012

Verano

Cadillac

1997

DeVille

Cadillac

2017

XT5

Chevrolet

2007

Avalanche

Chevrolet

2015

Cruze

Chevrolet

2013

Suburban

Chevrolet

2015

Suburban

Ford

2011

Crown Victoria

Ford

2010

Escape Hybrid

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.


hammer as weaponhotelviolencechildhood traumabased on novelmother son relationshiphammermurdertooth extractionunderwater sceneself dentistrysuicidetraumatraumatized manchild prostitutionteenage girlf ratedshot in the headbloodcatlakeball pein hammernew yorkmetropolisveterangulf waroffscreen murderrestaurantvery little dialogueptsd post traumatic stress disorderburning a photographhotel roomalarmsingingtelephone callwatching tvknifemoneyreference to bon jovititle directed by femalenew york citybare chested maleflashbackdinergovernoru.s. senatorloss of mothermedicationsinging in a carsenator

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