What Is Breaking and Entering About?
The premise of Breaking and Entering in 271 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a dimly lit mortuary that seems to exist between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, a woman haunted by memories finds herself inexplicably trapped. The cold, metallic corridors pulse with an unsettling stillness, and the faint scent of incense hangs heavy in the air, hinting at rites that have long been forgotten. Within these walls, the ordinary rules of time and space begin to blur, creating an atmosphere that feels both claustrophobic and strangely intimate, as if the building itself is breathing alongside its captive.
She is forced to confront the lingering echo of a departed loved one whose presence lingers in the shadows, turning the mortuary into a stage for an emotional reckoning. The ghostly figure does not speak in words but in fleeting gestures and half‑remembered moments, prompting our protagonist to sift through the tangled threads of grief, loss, and unresolved trauma. Each silent encounter feels like a delicate dance between denial and acceptance, inviting the audience to feel the weight of memories that refuse to stay buried.
The tone of the film balances chilling suspense with a poignant emotional undercurrent, creating a cinematic experience that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is unsettling. By weaving together stark visual contrasts—cold stone against flickering candlelight—and a soundscape that oscillates between hushed whispers and sudden, breath‑stealing silences, the story immerses viewers in a world where the past refuses to remain dead. In this delicate balance, the woman’s journey becomes a universal meditation on how the dead can shape the living, urging her, and the audience, to finally reckon with the hidden corners of the heart.
What Happens in Breaking and Entering?
The complete story of Breaking and Entering, from the first scene to the last, in 516 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Will Francis, portrayed by Jude Law, is a young English landscape architect leading a monotonous life in London alongside his Swedish American girlfriend, Liv, played by Robin Wright. They have been together for a decade and share the challenge of raising Liv’s daughter, Bea, who is a behavioral enigma at the tender age of 13. Bea’s irregular sleeping and eating habits, coupled with her unsocial tendencies—preferring somersaults and gymnastics over social interactions—put immense pressure on Will and Liv’s already strained relationship.
Seeking to mend the rift, they turn to relationship counseling, but their emotional distance continues to grow. Meanwhile, Will’s professional life is also in turmoil. His architectural firm in King’s Cross is repeatedly targeted by a group of thieves speaking in Slavic tongues. Among them is Miro, a 15-year-old tracer with remarkable acrobatic talent, who infiltrates the building alongside his mother, Amira (Juliette Binoche), a seamstress and a refugee from Bosnia.
Initially unfazed by the break-ins, Will and his partner Sandy decide to stake out the office after a second robbery, hoping to catch the culprits in the act. During this time, Miro employs his skills to disable the alarm system and continues to pilfer from the office. As Will engages in nightly stakeouts, he finds a bizarre sense of comfort away from the tense atmosphere at home, bridging an unexpected connection with Oana, an Eastern European prostitute.
When Will catches Miro in the act of breaking in one night and starts to follow him, he inadvertently discovers Miro’s modest living situation with Amira. Rather than alert the authorities, he visits them under the pretense of needing a suit mended. This encounter leads Will to become romantically involved with Amira, prompting him to reconsider his life choices. As Will’s relationship with Amira deepens, he increasingly neglects Liv and Bea, leading to complications.
Miro, aware of Will’s visits to his home, confronts his mother about the thefts, resulting in Amira returning stolen items to Will while harboring her suspicions. Tensions escalate as Miro’s gang threatens him over his interactions with Will. A police detective eventually traces Miro to the burglary, offering him a chance to testify against his gang, but Miro declines.
Meanwhile, Amira confronts Will over a compromising photo of them together, warning him against involving the police, which leaves Will emotionally devastated. The story takes a grave turn when an accident at Will’s construction site severely injures Bea, prompting police involvement in Miro’s case.
At a trial hearing for Miro, Will finds himself torn between his love for Amira and his responsibilities toward Liv and Bea. After much introspection, he decides to tell Liv the truth about his affair, which in turn prompts Liv to encourage him to assist Amira. At the hearing, Will bravely admits his relationship with Amira and confirms that Miro is not the real criminal, leading to Miro’s release.
In the aftermath, Liv and Will solidify their bond through marriage, while Miro and Amira make plans to return to Bosnia for a fresh start. This narrative intricately weaves themes of love, betrayal, and the challenging dynamics of family and redemption.
Breaking and Entering Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Will and Liv's Life in London” to “Resolution and New Beginnings”. 6 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Will and Liv's Life in London
Will Francis, a landscape architect, leads a dull life in London with his girlfriend Liv. Together, they face the challenges of raising Liv's daughter, Bea, who struggles with behavioral issues.
Where:London
- 2
Bea's Behavioral Challenges
At just 13 years old, Bea's irregular sleeping and eating habits create a strain on Will and Liv's relationship. Her preference for gymnastics over social interaction adds to the tension they already face as a family.
- 3
Seeking Counseling
To address their growing emotional distance, Will and Liv decide to seek relationship counseling. Their attempts to reconnect highlight the deepening cracks in their partnership, which seem increasingly difficult to mend.
- 4
Thefts at the Office
Will's architectural firm in King's Cross becomes a target for a group of thieves who speak in Slavic tongues. This series of break-ins starts to add stress to Will's already troubled life.
Where:King's Cross
- 5
Meeting Miro and Amira
Among the thieves is Miro, a skilled 15-year-old tracer, who operates with his mother, Amira, a Bosnian refugee. Their infiltration of the office deepens the intrigue surrounding the burglaries.
Where:Will's office
- 6
Nightly Stakeouts
Will and his partner Sandy conduct stakeouts at the office during the night in hopes of catching the burglars. This endeavor offers Will a temporary escape from the turmoil at home.
Where:Will's office
- 7
Unexpected Connection with Oana
During his stakeouts, Will forms an unlikely bond with Oana, an Eastern European prostitute. This connection provides him with a sense of comfort amidst the growing chaos in his personal life.
- 8
Discovering Miro's Home Life
After catching Miro breaking into the office, Will follows him to discover his modest living situation with Amira. Instead of involving the police, Will visits them under the guise of needing repairs to create a personal connection.
- 9
Affair with Amira
Will's visits lead to an affair with Amira, causing him to neglect Liv and Bea. This love entanglement complicates his already strained relationships and pushes him to a crossroads.
- 10
Miro's Confrontation with Amira
Miro confronts his mother about the stolen items as he becomes aware of Will's visits. This confrontation leads to heightened tensions within their household and the danger of their criminal activities being exposed.
Show the other 5 events of Breaking and Entering Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Police Investigation Intensifies
A police detective connects Miro to the burglaries and offers him a chance to testify against his gang, but Miro refuses, complicating the situation. This choice places Miro and Amira in a precarious position.
- 12
Accident Involving Bea
Things take a serious turn when an accident at Will's construction site injures Bea. The incident prompts police involvement, escalating the stakes for everyone involved.
Where:Construction site
- 13
Will's Dilemma at the Trial
At Miro's trial, Will wrestles with his feelings for Amira and his responsibilities toward Liv and Bea. This internal conflict leads to crucial decisions that will affect all their lives.
Where:Court
- 14
The Truth Revealed
After much deliberation, Will confesses his affair with Amira to Liv, who encourages him to support her. This revelation opens up new complexities in their relationships.
- 15
Resolution and New Beginnings
Will courageously testifies that Miro is not the real criminal, leading to Miro’s release. In the aftermath, Will and Liv marry, while Miro and Amira prepare to return to Bosnia for a fresh start, marking a new chapter in their lives.
Who Are the Main Characters in Breaking and Entering?
4 characters, among them Will Francis, Liv and Miro: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 2 of them link to the actor’s page.
-
Will Francis
Played by Jude Law
Will, portrayed by Jude Law, is a landscape architect caught in a web of personal and professional dilemmas. He embodies a conflicted character seeking love and meaning amidst external pressures. His choices propel the narrative forward, illustrating the balance between passion and responsibility.
- 👷♂️ Architect
- ❤️ Conflicted
- 🔍 Search for Meaning
-
Liv
Played by Robin Wright
Liv, played by Robin Wright, is the emotionally strained partner of Will, navigating the challenges of motherhood and her complex relationship. She is a resilient character seeking stability while grappling with feelings of jealousy and betrayal. Her journey reflects the desire for connection amidst turmoil.
- 👩👧 Mother
- 💔 Emotionally Strained
- 😔 Resilient
- M
Miro
Miro is a talented 15-year-old tracer entangled in criminal activities, navigating a challenging life as a refugee. His acrobatic skills set him apart, showcasing a blend of innocence and survival instincts. Miro's interactions with Will bring forth themes of loyalty and moral dilemmas.
- 🤸♂️ Tracer
- 🚨 Innocence
- 🌍 Refugee
- A
Amira
Amira is a seamstress and Miro's mother, a refugee from Bosnia who navigates her new life with resilience. Her relationship with Will brings warmth and complexity to the narrative, showcasing her struggles and hopes for a brighter future. Amira epitomizes the journey toward redemption.
- 👩⚕️ Seamstress
- 💪 Resilient
- 🌟 Hopeful
Where and When Is Breaking and Entering Set?
Breaking and Entering is set in London, King's Cross and Bosnia. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern relationships and issues faced by families. It navigates themes of love and conflict amidst the backdrop of urban life, addressing the complexities of human connections in today’s society.
Where
London, King's Cross, Bosnia
London serves as the backdrop for the film, showcasing its vibrant yet challenging urban landscape. King's Cross, a significant area in the story, represents the intersection of professional ambition and personal turmoil. Bosnia is referenced as a place of refuge for Amira, highlighting themes of displacement and hope.
- 🏙️ City
- 🏗️ Construction
- 🌍 Refugee
What Are the Themes of Breaking and Entering?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love, Betrayal and Family Dynamics.
-
01
Love
The theme of love is central to the narrative, exploring its complexities amid infidelity and emotional turmoil. Will's relationships with Liv and Amira illustrate the struggles of balancing romantic desires with familial responsibilities. Ultimately, love proves to be a powerful force guiding the characters toward resolutions.
-
02
Betrayal
Betrayal is poignantly depicted through Will's affair with Amira, which strains his relationship with Liv. This theme emphasizes the fragility of trust in relationships and showcases the consequences of deception. The emotional fallout drives the characters to confront their feelings and motivations.
-
03
Family Dynamics
The movie intricately weaves the challenges of family dynamics, particularly through Will, Liv, and Bea's strained interactions. It highlights the struggles of parenting in a modern context and the impact of individual choices on family unity. The resolution ultimately points to the importance of communication and understanding in relationships.
What Kind of Film Is Breaking and Entering?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and emotionally complex drama that follows an architect's mid-life crisis as he navigates a strained relationship, a professional crisis, and a morally ambiguous affair, all set against the gritty backdrop of London.
- tense
- anxious
- melancholic
- introspective
- strained
- atmospheric
- family conflict
- infidelity
- redemption
- culture clash
Quiz
How well do you remember Breaking and Entering? Test yourself on the story.
