Directed by
James Ward Byrkit
Made by
Oscilloscope Pictures
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Coherence (2014). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Eight friends gather for a dinner party in California while a comet passes overhead. During the evening, tension arises when Kevin invites Emily to join him on a business trip to Vietnam, but she remains noncommittal. Among the guests is Kevin’s ex-girlfriend, Laurie, who still harbors feelings for him. As the night progresses, a sudden power outage plunges the home into darkness. The hosts find glow sticks to light their way, opting for blue ones, and venture outside where they notice one house up the street still has power.
Returning inside, the group discovers a broken glass, an unsettling omen they initially overlook. To seek help, Hugh and Amir venture to the neighboring house, soon returning with a box. Inside, they uncover a ping-pong paddle and photographs of themselves, including one taken that very night, all marked with mysterious numbers. Hugh reveals that he has seen a dining setup for eight people at the other house, leading to a startling realization: the other house houses alternate versions of themselves.
Intrigued, Emily tries to deduce patterns from the numbers scribbled on a notepad but finds no substantial clues. As the friends begin crafting a note to their counterparts, a strange man appears outside, heightening their anxiety before he vanishes. They find the identical note they had created already affixed to their door, a chilling sign of the alternate reality.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emily, Kevin, Mike, and Laurie decide to investigate the other house. There, they encounter doppelgangers wielding red glow sticks, prompting both groups to run back home in a panic. Explaining their shocking experience, Emily’s group admits they saw versions of themselves, igniting discussions about the implications of their discovery. Hugh, armed with notes from a physics lecture, suggests the comet may have split realities, with one destined to collapse as it passes.
Tension spikes as the group debates how to handle their doubles, particularly when Mike suggests taking drastic measures against them. He proposes stealing the physics notes from their alternate Hugh to ensure their other selves don’t gain the same knowledge. The dynamics shift again when it’s revealed that Hugh and Amir are actually from the alternate house. After some back and forth, the Hugh and Amir with blue glow sticks return, bringing more shocking revelations about the existence of additional realities.
As chaos ensues and accusations fly—including Beth being wrongfully accused of drugging the food—the friends face an escalating crisis. They hide outdoors only to find someone shattering Hugh’s car window, prompting further investigation. In a moment of vulnerability, Emily shares a heartfelt conversation with what she believes to be her Kevin, only to make a jarring discovery: she’s speaking to a version of him from a different reality.
Determined to find a solution, the friends decide to leave a marker in front of their house—an object and photographs with numbers from dice rolls. They soon realize discrepancies in their memories and numbers, leading to confusion and paranoia about their identities and experiences. Emily finds herself at odds with various sets of memories, discovering that only Lee and Beth’s recollections align with one specific group of numbers.
As the drama unfolds, a blackmail note exacerbates the already tense atmosphere. Mike confronts the possibility that a darker version of their group might exist, intensifying the fear within the house. Then, an ominous new version of Mike arrives with malicious intent, causing panic among the group. In a moment of desperation, Emily seeks escape to other realities, some of which reveal even graver situations.
Ultimately, Emily stumbles upon a version of herself that is blissfully unaware of the turmoil—where she and Kevin had a strong relationship from the start. Seizing the opportunity, she hatches a plan to replace her alternate self. In a frenzied clash, she ambushes her double to prevent her from returning. Yet, in a surprising twist, the ambush takes a toll on Emily, leading her to faint.
Upon awakening the next day in a seemingly stable reality, Emily embarks on a quest to find her double but instead encounters Kevin, whose phone then rings with an incoming call from none other than Emily herself. His suspicious gaze suggests that even this newly formed reality may not be as safe as it appears, leaving the audience questioning the stability of identity and existence in the shadow of a cosmic event.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Coherence (2014) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Reunion at the Dinner Party
Eight friends gather for a dinner party in California on a night when a comet passes by. During the dinner, Kevin proposes a business trip to Vietnam to Emily, but she hesitates to respond affirmatively.
Ex-Girlfriend's Arrival
The atmosphere becomes tense as Kevin's ex-girlfriend, Laurie, attends the gathering. She expresses her desire to rekindle her relationship with Kevin, complicating the evening further.
Power Outage and Glow Sticks
Suddenly, a power outage occurs, leaving the friends in darkness. The hosts provide glow sticks for light, and they opt for blue glow sticks to guide them during the confusion.
Discovery of the Other House
Noticing that one house up the street still has power, the group decides to venture outside. Upon their return, they find a broken glass and a mysterious box containing personal items from another version of themselves.
Realization of Alternate Realities
The friends come to the shocking realization that the other house represents an alternate version of their own reality. They discover photos of themselves with strange numbers on the back, prompting further investigation.
Notes and Patterns
Emily begins to write down the numbers in an attempt to find a meaningful pattern, though their efforts lead to confusion. This sparks a discussion about the strange occurrences they are experiencing.
Encounters with Doubles
The friends venture to the other house, where they come face to face with their doubles holding red glow sticks. The encounter is shocking and leads to a frantic retreat back to the safety of their own home.
Understanding the Comet's Impact
Hugh examines his physics notes and realizes that the comet has caused a split in reality, with one reality doomed to collapse. This revelation creates tension and fear among the group.
Plan to Prevent Disaster
With rising paranoia, Mike suggests preemptively eliminating their doubles to ensure their survival. The group debates this extreme plan while considering ways to outsmart their counterparts.
The Search for Clarity
As tension escalates, they mock up a plan to leave markers outside their houses to connect the realities. They compile numbers on a notepad but realize inconsistencies in their memories regarding these numbers.
Arrival of the Blackmail Note
The situation worsens when a blackmail note appears, leading to paranoia about a potential dark version of themselves. This heightens tension and fear in an already fraught atmosphere.
Emily's Desperate Measures
Emily succumbs to desperation and ventures into different realities, seeking a version of her life devoid of conflict. She discovers a version of herself that is happy and decides to take drastic action.
Ambush and Confrontation
Emily lures her double outside by shattering a car window and attempts to incapacitate her. However, the plan backfires, leading to a tense struggle in which Emily must fight to maintain control.
The Search for Normalcy
After subduing her double, Emily wakes up the next day in a seemingly normal reality. However, the unease persists when Kevin receives a mysterious call from Emily's number, leaving both of them in a state of suspicion.
Explore all characters from Coherence (2014). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Emily
Emily is depicted as a complex character torn between her existing relationship and unresolved feelings towards another friend. Throughout the chaos, she demonstrates resilience and a willingness to confront the unknown, embodying the struggle for identity in a split reality. Her decisions reveal the depths of her character and the impact of choice.
Kevin
Kevin serves as a focal point in the narrative, acting as Emily's boyfriend and the source of tension due to his ex-girlfriend's presence. He represents the struggle between old relationships and new beginnings, providing insight into the dynamics of love and loyalty amongst friends facing surreal challenges. His protective nature emerges as circumstances become dire.
Hugh
Hugh plays a pivotal role as he attempts to rationalize the bizarre events using physics, providing a logical framework for the chaos. His dedication to understanding the situation showcases the theme of knowledge versus ignorance, and his character evolves as he confronts the implications of their reality split. His actions reflect the struggle to maintain control in an uncontrollable situation.
Learn where and when Coherence (2014) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Present day
The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting current social dynamics and technology usage among friends. The presence of modern communication devices, like cell phones, anchors the narrative in the present, allowing for relatable interactions amid the fantastical elements of reality splitting.
Location
California
The movie primarily takes place in a suburban neighborhood in California during a dinner party among friends. Known for its clear night skies, the setting is interrupted by the unusual occurrence of a comet passing by, which brings with it an extraordinary and surreal experience. The contrast between the friendly gathering and the unsettling events outside creates a tension that defines the atmosphere.
Discover the main themes in Coherence (2014). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Reality
The theme of reality is central to the plot, as the characters grapple with the existence of alternate versions of themselves due to the comet's influence. It challenges their understanding of identity and existence, leading to philosophical questions about choice and consequence. As characters confront their doubles, they must navigate their relationships and the nature of their lives.
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Chaos
Chaos reigns as friendships and loyalties are tested in the face of inexplicable circumstances. The dinner party setting devolves into paranoia and fear as the characters encounter their duplicates, leading to frantic decision-making. This theme vividly illustrates how quickly social order can collapse under extraordinary pressures.
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