I Think We're Alone Now 2018

Sci-Fi

Drama

Mystery

Box Office

$3.2K

Runtime

93 min

Language

English

Directed by

Reed Morano

Made by

Momentum Pictures

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I Think We're Alone Now Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for I Think We're Alone Now (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Del, believing he is the last man on Earth after a catastrophic event wipes out humanity, lives a solitary existence in his hometown. Residing in the library where he once worked, he spends his days cleaning out abandoned homes and respectfully burying the deceased. However, his mundane life takes a turn when fireworks disturb his peace one night. The following day, he finds a young woman named Grace unconscious in her car due to a drunken accident. Although he is initially cold towards her, Grace’s persistent nature leads Del to reluctantly agree to a trial period where they might help each other.

During this time, Grace proves to be an unpredictable yet vibrant presence in Del’s life. As he teaches her the ropes of his grim routines, she brings a sense of companionship that Del had long forsaken. When Grace finds a dog and lavishes it with attention, its swift departure after biting Del prompts a confrontation. She reminds him of her past joy, emphasizing the stark difference between her life before and his long-standing bitterness. In a moment of sincerity, Del shows her his greenhouse and seeks to reinforce their collaboration in clearing homes.

Their bond deepens when Grace discovers a house yet to be cleared, which reveals Del’s family ties, including the burial of his mother’s remains. An unspoken tension builds as Grace kisses Del, hinting at her deeper feelings. However, the next morning, Del’s world shifts again when he meets Patrick and Violet, Grace’s real parents, unearthing the fact that many survivors of the apocalypse have formed a community unbeknownst to him.

Disturbed by this revelation, Del chooses to isolate himself once more, but Grace seeks him out, pleading to stay with him despite her claims about her true parentage. Following a visit from Patrick, who entices Del with promises of new beginnings in California, Grace reluctantly leaves with her parents. Consumed by loneliness, Del can no longer endure the solitude of his small town and journeys to Patrick’s address, searching for Grace.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect, Del sneaks into Grace’s new home only to discover she has undergone significant behavior modification surgery designed to erase the trauma of her past. As they attempt to flee, Patrick intervenes, arguing that the only path forward for humanity involves forgetting past losses. Chaos ensues, leading to Grace inadvertently shooting him in a panic. Despite her modifications, Violet retains memories of her lost daughter, showcasing the complexities of their collective trauma.

As Del and Grace navigate a city teeming with unrealistically cheerful survivors—people who have chosen to live in willful ignorance of their past—they realize that they aspire to return to the solace of Del’s humble town, away from the oppressive happiness that now surrounds them.

I Think We're Alone Now Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of I Think We're Alone Now (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Del's Solitary Life

After a catastrophic event wipes out humanity, Del believes he is the last man on Earth. He lives alone in the library of his hometown, spending his days cleaning abandoned homes and burying the deceased with respect.

Hometown Library

Disturbance from Fireworks

One night, Del's mundane existence is disrupted by the sound of fireworks. This unexpected noise brings a jolt of curiosity and unrest to his solitary routine.

Meeting Grace

The next day, Del discovers a young woman named Grace unconscious in her car due to a drunken accident. Initially cold towards her, he reluctantly agrees to a trial period of cohabitation, hoping they might offer each other some help.

Near Del's Hometown

Grace's Vibrant Presence

Grace's unpredictable nature quickly begins to alter Del's bleak routine. Despite his initial reluctance, she injects her joyful spirit into their shared days, reminding Del of a life he had long abandoned.

The Dog Incident

Grace's enthusiastic care for a dog causes tension when the dog bites Del and then swiftly leaves. This moment becomes a catalyst for Del's introspection about joy and the bitterness he has been clinging to.

Showing the Greenhouse

In a moment of bonding, Del opens up about his greenhouse and the past routines he used to embrace. This sharing reinforces their collaboration in clearing out homes as they form a deepening connection.

Del's Greenhouse

Discovering Family Ties

Grace uncovers a house that has yet to be cleared, revealing personal artifacts tied to Del’s family, including the burial site of his mother. This discovery intensifies the emotional stakes of their growing relationship.

Abandoned House

Encounter with Grace's Parents

Del's world shifts dramatically when he meets Grace's real parents, Patrick and Violet. This encounter reveals to him that a community of survivors exists, a reality he had been completely unaware of.

Grace's Departure

Deeply unsettled by the realization that Grace has been part of a community, Del retreats emotionally. When Grace leaves with her parents, he feels the heavy weight of loneliness and betrayal.

Del's Journey to Find Grace

Overcome with solitude, Del decides to chase after Grace, journeying to her new address in California. His desperation to reconnect reflects his deep-seated fear of isolation and yearning for companionship.

California

Confrontation at Grace's New Home

Once in California, Del sneaks into Grace’s house, only to find out she has undergone drastic behavior modification surgery. This shocking discovery unveils the lengths they have gone to cope with their traumatic pasts.

Grace's New Home

Chaos Ensues

As Del and Grace attempt to escape her new life, Patrick intervenes, arguing for a future that forgets past tragedies. In the ensuing chaos, Grace inadvertently shoots Patrick in a frantic moment.

Violet's Remembrances

Despite Grace's surgery, Violet retains haunting memories of her lost daughter, highlighting the complexities of their experiences. This conflict underscores the emotional scars carried by survivors in a world eager to forget.

A Return to Solitude

As Del and Grace navigate a city filled with oblivious survivors, they find themselves yearning for the comfort of Del's hometown. Their desire for solace amidst overwhelming artificial happiness reveals their true longing for authenticity.

I Think We're Alone Now Characters

Explore all characters from I Think We're Alone Now (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Del (Peter Dinklage)

Del is a deeply introspective character who finds solace in solitude following the collapse of society. His initial cold demeanor masks a profound sadness and longing for connection, which he gradually confronts during his interactions with Grace. As the story unfolds, Del's journey reflects the struggle to accept change and the importance of human relationships.

🧔 Survivor 😞 Loneliness

Grace (Elle Fanning)

Grace is a spirited and unpredictable presence in Del's isolated life. Initially a foil to his bitterness, she brings warmth and vibrancy that challenges his long-held beliefs about companionship. Her character's evolution showcases resilience and the quest for identity amidst trauma, especially as she navigates her complex relationship with her parents.

👩‍🦰 Optimism ✨ Joy

Patrick (Paul Giamatti)

Patrick represents a contrasting perspective on survival in the post-apocalyptic world. He embodies the idea of forging a new community, yet his approach to healing through forgetting highlights moral dilemmas about trauma and recovery. His interactions with Del and Grace anchor the film's tension around the desire for connection versus the fear of change.

👨‍🔧 Leader 🔗 Community

Violet (Charlotte Gainsbourg)

Violet is a complex character connected to Grace, representing enduring love intertwined with loss. Despite the modifications done to Grace, Violet's memories reveal the depth of maternal grief and the struggle to cope with the changes inflicted by their new reality. Her character embodies the emotional turmoil of adapting to a world that demands resilience.

👩‍👧 Maternal 😢 Grief

I Think We're Alone Now Settings

Learn where and when I Think We're Alone Now (2018) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Post-apocalyptic

The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, characterized by the aftermath of a devastating event that has wiped out most of humanity. This time period explores themes of solitude, survival, and the struggle to form connections in a world marked by loss and despair.

Location

Del's hometown, California

Del's hometown serves as the backdrop for his solitary existence following a catastrophic event. It is portrayed as a quiet, abandoned space filled with remnants of life, where Del spends his days maintaining a somber routine. However, the allure of California represents a new beginning and contrast with Del's isolated lifestyle.

🏙️ Urban 🌳 Nature

I Think We're Alone Now Themes

Discover the main themes in I Think We're Alone Now (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌱

Rebirth

The theme of rebirth is central to the film, as Del initially believes he is the last human but slowly discovers the potential for connection and renewal through Grace. Their relationship symbolizes the possibility of starting afresh despite past traumas, encouraging a re-emergence of hope and companionship even in desolation.

🤝

Connection

Connection is a prominent theme in 'I Think We're Alone Now,' highlighting the human need for companionship. Del's transition from isolation to forming a bond with Grace emphasizes the challenges and importance of re-engaging with others in order to heal and grow.

💔

Loss

The film poignantly addresses the theme of loss, revealing how Del's life is shaped by grief from the apocalypse and personal tragedy. Both Del and Grace grapple with their painful pasts, navigating the complexities of healing while confronting the memories and experiences that haunt them.

I Think We're Alone Now Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of I Think We're Alone Now (2018). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a world stripped of its familiar bustle, humanity’s remnants linger like whispers in empty streets and silent houses. The landscape is a muted tableau of abandoned neighborhoods, where the very air feels heavy with the weight of unanswered questions. Everyday tasks become rites of perseverance, and the simple act of breathing is a reminder that existence continues even when the world feels abandoned. The tone balances a haunting melancholy with a faint, stubborn hope that something—perhaps another soul—might still be out there, waiting to be discovered.

Del has spent years moving through this quiet desolation alone, a caretaker of the forgotten. He has turned routine chores—collecting belongings left behind, tending to overgrown gardens, and offering reverent farewells to those who have passed—into a solitary ritual that steadies his days. His life is marked by methodical calm, a careful constancy that has become both his shield and his cage. The solitude has forged in him a keen awareness of every sound, every shadow, and an almost reverent respect for the fragile remnants of humanity.

When Grace appears, she unsettles the delicate balance he has cultivated. She is a bright, unpredictable presence whose very existence challenges the belief that he is truly alone. Their tentative connection fuels a quiet tension between the safety of isolation and the risky allure of companionship. As they navigate the hushed world together, the audience feels the pull of something larger beyond their small town—a hint that other survivors may have formed their own pockets of life, hidden beneath the surface of this desolate reality. The film invites viewers to linger in that space between loneliness and the possibility of renewal, asking what it means to live when the world has seemingly stopped turning.

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