What Is Disobedience About?
The premise of Disobedience in 303 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a tightly knit Orthodox Jewish enclave on the outskirts of London, the rhythm of daily prayer, modest homes, and an ever‑present sense of communal duty creates a world both intimate and intensely observed. The streets hum with the quiet murmur of tradition, while the shadows of unspoken expectations linger in every conversation. Against this backdrop, the film settles into a contemplative tone, letting the weight of history press gently against the present.
Ronit Krushka arrives from the bustling streets of Manhattan, a photographer whose life has been built on the freedom of the lens and the anonymity of a new name. The news of her father’s passing draws her back to the house she left long ago, and she steps into a community that feels simultaneously familiar and alien. As she navigates the familiar rituals and the subtle judgments of those who remember her departure, Ronit confronts the dissonance between the life she chose abroad and the roots that still tug at her heart.
Soon she is reunited with Esti Kuperman, a former confidante now married to Dovid Kuperman, a man who occupies a respected place within the same circle. The reunion sparks a delicate dance of recollection and restraint, as old affection flickers beneath the surface of polite conversation. Their interactions, tinged with both nostalgia and an unspoken tension, hint at feelings that challenge the community’s rigid expectations without overtly revealing their direction.
The story explores the fragile balance between faith and autonomy, the pull of identity versus the desire for belonging, and the quiet courage required to question long‑held beliefs. In a world where every gesture carries cultural weight, each character must decide how much of themselves they are willing to reveal—or conceal—while navigating love, loss, and the promise of a future that might look very different from the past.
What Happens in Disobedience?
The complete story of Disobedience, from the first scene to the last, in 707 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In a Jewish Orthodox Synagogue located in Hendon, the weakened Rav Krushka (Anton Lesser) collapses while delivering a sermon. As the funeral rites begin in London, his estranged daughter Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) is leading her life as a photographer in Manhattan. In the midst of a photo shoot, she receives devastating news from the Brooklyn Synagogue about her father’s death, leading her to drown her sorrows in alcohol at a nearby bar, where she ends up sleeping with a stranger.
Ronit returns to London and immediately feels like an outsider in the Orthodox Jewish community she once called home. She is welcomed at the residence of Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola), a figure akin to family to the Rav, who is surprised by Ronit’s unexpected reappearance. However, her reception is not warm. Many in the community harbor resentment towards her for abandoning them, although her aunt Fruma Hartog (Bernice Stegers) offers a more cordial greeting. Tension brews between Ronit and her uncle Moshe Hartog (Allan Corduner), who informs her that the farewell for the Rav will be nothing but tumultuous, and Ronit is hurt and angered by her exclusion from her father’s illness and the misleading obituary declaring him childless.
Despite the frosty atmosphere following Ronit’s past, Dovid extends an invitation for her to stay at his home, where she discovers he is married to Esti Kuperman (Rachel McAdams), her former best friend and now a teacher at an Orthodox girls’ school. The air is thick with uncomfortable history between the two women. The following day, while visiting her father’s grave, Ronit and Dovid, along with Esti, join a dinner hosted by the Hartogs. During dinner, conversations probe Ronit about her successful photography career and her decision to use her anglicized name, “Ronnie Curtis,” raising eyebrows around the table. Esti unexpectedly comments on the transient nature of women’s identities, further igniting tension in the room.
Ronit’s bold assertions regarding the institution of marriage result in collective shock, prompting her to excuse herself to cope with her jet lag. Later, Dovid walks Ronit home, where she expresses her hopes that her father knew of her profound love for him. However, the struggles of religion prevent Dovid from providing her the comfort she desperately needs.
Ronit visits her uncle at his wig maker’s shop, seeking to discuss the sale of her father’s home, only to discover that all his belongings were left to the Synagogue. Shortly thereafter, she encounters Esti outside a supermarket, and they decide to visit the Rav’s dilapidated house together—filled with remnants of illness rather than memories of love, it becomes a site for Ronit to mourn not just a home but the desire for acknowledgment from her father. Their rekindled feelings arise as they share a kiss, but Ronit quickly withdraws, torn between her growing affection and confusion.
As Esti faces serious allegations from the community regarding her connection to Ronit, the two escape to central London, navigating their rekindled attraction amid the disapproval of their tight-knit community. Their passion culminates at a hotel, where they embrace their feelings and reminisce about the past. However, upon returning to their respective realities, they each grapple with the struggles of their decisions.
In a moment of vulnerability, Esti confesses to Dovid that she may be pregnant, impacting their fragile marriage. Conflicted emotions arise, and she seeks to find clarity about her future. Following a tumultuous evening filled with arguments and heartache, Ronit decides to return to New York but shares an emotional goodbye with Esti—which ends with a promising yet sorrowful kiss.
After some time, Esti returns to the synagogue, only to reveal her pregnancy announcement amidst a bleak atmosphere of judgment. Meanwhile, Ronit proposes the possibility of escape to New York, and the group shares a fateful hug during a compelling moment that illustrates the bonds of friendship and love. As Ronit prepares to leave for the airport, the final emotional encounters reveal the depth of feelings between the characters, and they navigate the journey of acceptance, longing, and the wish for freedom and choice in their intertwined lives.
In a poignant conclusion, Ronit takes a moment at her father’s grave—a symbolic act of closure—before leaving, ever aware of the complicated paths their lives have taken.
Disobedience Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rav Krushka's Collapse” to “Closure at the Grave”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Rav Krushka's Collapse
While delivering a sermon at the Orthodox Synagogue in Hendon, Rav Krushka suddenly collapses. This shocking event marks the beginning of significant changes in the lives of those who loved him.
Where:Hendon, London
- 2
Ronit's Life in Manhattan
Ronit Krushka, the estranged daughter of Rav Krushka, is leading her life as a photographer in Manhattan. She is caught up in her work until she receives devastating news about her father's death.
Where:Manhattan, New York
- 3
Devastating News
While in the midst of a photo shoot, Ronit learns of her father's passing. Overwhelmed by the news, she turns to alcohol, drowning her sorrows at a nearby bar before making a poor choice to sleep with a stranger.
Where:Bar in Manhattan
- 4
Return to London
Ronit returns to London to attend her father's funeral, instantly becoming aware of the tension in the Orthodox Jewish community that she left behind. She feels like an outsider, interpreting the coldness of those around her.
Where:London
- 5
Staying with Dovid
Dovid Kuperman, a family friend of the late Rav, offers Ronit a place to stay. Despite his welcoming, many members of the community resent Ronit for abandoning them, creating a tense atmosphere during her visit.
Where:Dovid's Residence, London
- 6
Family Tensions
Ronit's return is met with mixed feelings, especially from her uncle Moshe Hartog, who criticizes her for missing out on her father's final days. The community's collective resentment toward Ronit deepens her emotional turmoil.
Where:Hartog Residence, London
- 7
Dinner with the Hartogs
During dinner at the Hartog residence, conversations take a sharp turn as Ronit is questioned about her life choices. Her identity as 'Ronnie Curtis' raises eyebrows, particularly as Esti comments on the transient nature of women's roles.
Where:Hartog Residence, London
- 8
Visit to Father's Grave
In a poignant moment, Ronit, accompanied by Dovid and Esti, visits her father's grave. It is here that she expresses her regrets and hopes about her father's perception of her love, facing an emotional vulnerability.
Where:Graveyard, London
- 9
The Discovery of the Past
Ronit visits her uncle at his wig maker's shop, seeking answers about her father's estate. She is distraught to learn that all of her father's belongings were left to the synagogue, deepening her sense of loss.
Where:Wig Maker's Shop, London
- 10
Kiss of Rekindled Feelings
Ronit and Esti, revisiting the Rav's old home, share a poignant kiss marked by past affections and unresolved feelings. This heartfelt moment complicates their lives as they navigate societal expectations and personal desires.
Where:Rav's House, London
Show the other 5 events of Disobedience Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Escape to Central London
Facing increasing scrutiny from their community, Ronit and Esti try to find solace in central London. Their rekindled romance intensifies as they embrace their feelings despite the looming judgment of their tight-knit society.
Where:Central London
- 12
Esti's Confession
In a moment of honesty, Esti confesses to Dovid that she may be pregnant, presenting a serious challenge to their troubled marriage. This revelation forces her to confront her life choices and future.
Where:Kuperman Home, London
- 13
Emotional Goodbyes
As Ronit prepares to leave for New York, her parting with Esti is filled with intense emotion. Their farewell kiss embodies their unfulfilled desires and the bittersweet reality of their complicated relationship.
Where:London Airport
- 14
Esti's Pregnancy Announcement
Back at the synagogue, Esti reveals her pregnancy in a charged atmosphere of judgment. Her announcement reinforces her struggles with community expectations, illustrating the tension between personal choice and cultural obligations.
Where:Synagogue, London
- 15
Closure at the Grave
In a powerful act of closure, Ronit visits her father's grave one last time before leaving. This moment represents her acceptance of the past and her ongoing journey toward freedom and self-identity.
Where:Graveyard, London
Who Are the Main Characters in Disobedience?
3 characters, among them Ronit Krushka, Esti Kuperman and Dovid Kuperman: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Ronit Krushka
Played by Rachel Weisz
Ronit is a complex character who grapples with her emotions and identity throughout the film. As a successful photographer living in Manhattan, she represents modernity, yet her return to her Orthodox Jewish roots forces her to confront her past and unresolved feelings. Her interactions with her community and her former best friend, Esti, reveal her inner conflict between love, belonging, and individuality.
- 👩🎨 Photographer
- 🏡 Estranged
- 💔 Lost
-
Esti Kuperman
Played by Rachel McAdams
Esti is portrayed as a character caught between her duties as a wife and her rekindled feelings for Ronit. As a teacher in the Orthodox community, her experiences reflect the societal constraints placed on women and the struggles with her own desires. Her evolving relationship with Ronit serves as a catalyst for her own self-discovery and the questioning of her life's choices.
- 👩🏫 Teacher
- ❤️ Torn
- 🤫 Secretive
-
Dovid Kuperman
Played by Alessandro Nivola
Dovid is a well-intentioned character who embodies the expectations of the Orthodox Jewish community. His loyalty to tradition and his complicated relationship with Ronit and Esti highlight the film's central themes of love, obligation, and societal pressure. His character serves as a bridge between Ronit’s past and her current struggles.
- 🧔 Loyal
- 🏠 Family
- 📜 Traditionalist
Where and When Is Disobedience Set?
Disobedience is set in Hendon, London, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the challenges and experiences of modern Orthodox Jewish life. Issues of identity, tradition, and personal freedom clash against the backdrop of familial and community obligations.
Where
Hendon, London, Manhattan, Brooklyn
The movie takes place in both Hendon, London, and Manhattan. Hendon is home to a Jewish Orthodox Synagogue, which serves as a pivotal location in the narrative, representing the community's traditions and tensions. Manhattan showcases the modern life of Ronit Krushka, highlighting the contrast between her current life and her Orthodox upbringing.
- 🏙️ City
- 🕍 Synagogue
What Are the Themes of Disobedience?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love & Loss, Identity & Freedom and Tradition vs Modernity.
-
01
Love & Loss
Themes of love and loss permeate the film, encapsulating Ronit's complex relationship with her culture, her father, and her rekindled love for Esti. The emotional weight of Ronit's return to her roots is compounded by her unresolved feelings, illustrating the deep connections forged through shared memories and experiences.
-
02
Identity & Freedom
The struggle for identity and the quest for personal freedom are central to the film's narrative. Ronit's choice to embrace her life as a photographer contrasts sharply with the rigid expectations of her community, prompting questions about the roles individuals play within cultural and familial frameworks.
-
03
Tradition vs Modernity
The film explores the tension between tradition and modernity, particularly through the characters' interactions within the Orthodox community. Ronit's past clashing with her present choices exemplifies the struggle many face when navigating deeply rooted traditions while seeking personal authenticity.
What Kind of Film Is Disobedience?
Melancholic in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A slow, melancholic, and emotionally heavy drama that simmers with restrained passion and the oppressive weight of tradition, following characters torn between desire and duty.
- oppressive
- longing
- restrained
- somber
- claustrophobic
- passionate
- forbidden love
- religious oppression
- lgbtq+
- identity crisis
Content notes: homophobia, religious oppression, emotional infidelity.
Quiz
How well do you remember Disobedience? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Disobedience
Stream it on Cinemax and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 7
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Cinemax Apple TV channel 
Fandango at Home Free 
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Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
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