What Is Ivy About?
The premise of Ivy in 241 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the refined world of Edwardian England, where etiquette reigns and appearances are paramount, Ivy Lexton moves through high society with a grace that belies her inner turmoil. She is a woman accustomed to luxury, using wealth as a shield against the monotony of her daily existence. Yet, the comfort of opulence cannot fully obscure the dissatisfaction that festers within her, leaving her desperate for a change that seems impossible within the rigid confines of her current life.
Ivy’s personal world is a labyrinth of tangled affections, caught between three very different men who represent distinct paths. She is married to Jervis, a kind but meek man whose lack of prospects leaves her feeling trapped and unfulfilled. Her wandering eye lands on Miles Rushworth, a wealthy and distinguished figure who represents the escape and status she craves. Meanwhile, she remains entangled with Dr. Roger Gretorex, a charismatic and devoted admirer whose deep infatuation offers comfort but complicates her path forward.
Torn between the husband she tolerates, the suitor she desires, and the lover she cannot seem to shake, Ivy decides to take control of her fate. Unwilling to leave her future to chance, she conceives a ruthless scheme to remove the obstacles standing in her way. As she navigates the delicate balance of these relationships, the tension between public decorum and private ambition grows, setting the stage for a dangerous game where the pursuit of freedom comes at a perilous cost.
What Happens in Ivy?
The complete story of Ivy, from the first scene to the last, in 194 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In Edwardian England, Ivy Lexton luxuriates in the finer things in life, using wealth as a shield against a dull marriage to her husband Jervis. Despairing of his prospects, she fixates on the wealthy Miles Rushworth and schemes to have him, all while maintaining an affair with the infatuated Dr. Roger Gretorex.
Miles is attracted but cautious; after one brief kiss in the dark, he apologizes and resists any deeper involvement because she is married. Ivy tries to persuade her husband to divorce her, but that plan fails. She poisons Jervis and tries to pin the crime on the doctor.
Inspector Orpington is called to investigate Jervis’ mysterious death. Ivy’s plot to frame the doctor nearly succeeds, and the doctor is driven to confess to the murder out of devotion to Ivy, though the inspector remains wary, telling Jervis’ mother that foul play is suspected and that the doctor might be sacrificing himself for Ivy. New evidence surfaces; the doctor’s lawyer tells Ivy that he is free. Miles, who has been briefed on Ivy’s actions, walks out on her. Distraught, Ivy flees the apartment and falls down an empty elevator shaft to her death.
Ivy Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Ivy's discontent sparks a dangerous scheme” to “Ivy's death in the elevator shaft”. 12 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Ivy's discontent sparks a dangerous scheme
In Edwardian England, Ivy Lexton is a woman with a taste for the finer things. Despairing of her husband Jervis's poor prospects, she sees wealthy Miles Rushworth as a ticket to a more luxurious life. She also continues an affair with Dr. Roger Gretorex, adding another dangerous obstacle to her plans.
When:Evening Where:Ivy Lexton's home
- 2
Miles is attracted but refuses after the kiss
Miles Rushworth is initially attracted to Ivy but refuses to act on the attraction because of her marriage. A brief kiss occurs in the dark, after which he apologizes and declines any further involvement. He makes clear that social propriety and loyalty constrain him.
When:Evening Where:Social setting with Miles Rushworth
- 3
Ivy presses for divorce
Ivy tries unsuccessfully to persuade her husband to divorce. She clings to the idea that a separate life with Miles could be hers, but Jervis resists.
When:Evening Where:Jervis's home
- 4
Ivy poisons Jervis and frames Roger
Ivy poisons Jervis, hoping to remove the obstacle of the marriage. She tries to pin the murder on Roger Gretorex, counting on his involvement to ruin him and push Miles closer.
When:Night Where:Jervis's residence
- 5
Inspector Orpington begins the investigation
Inspector Orpington is summoned to investigate Jervis's mysterious death. He begins to scrutinize motives, including Ivy's wealth ambitions and Roger Gretorex's possible role.
When:Night Where:Jervis's residence
- 6
Roger confesses under Ivy's influence
Ivy's frame-up appears to work, and Roger Gretorex is drawn into the charge. He becomes so devoted to Ivy that he ultimately confesses to the murder.
When:Night Where:Ivy's apartment
- 7
Inspector suspects foul play and informs the family
The Inspector remains skeptical and tells Jervis's mother that he believes Roger is sacrificing himself for Ivy. He notes that fresh clues could still change the direction of the case.
When:Following confession Where:Jervis's mother's home
- 8
New evidence challenges Roger's guilt
The Inspector uncovers new evidence that challenges Roger's guilt and prompts a reevaluation of the case. This development raises questions about who else might be manipulating outcomes and where the truth truly lies.
When:Later Where:Police investigation site
- 9
Roger is freed; Ivy's leverage wanes
Roger's lawyer informs Ivy that Roger is free, signaling a turning point in the legal situation. Ivy's hold over Roger weakens as the truth begins to surface.
When:Evening Where:Ivy's apartment
- 10
Miles abandons Ivy after learning the truth
Miles, having learned of Ivy's schemes, walks out on her, ending the dangerous liaison. The rupture underscores Ivy's isolation as her plans crumble.
When:Evening Where:Ivy's apartment
- 11
Ivy flees the apartment
Distraught by the unraveling plot and Miles's departure, Ivy flees the apartment. She tries to escape the consequences of her actions.
When:Night Where:Ivy's apartment
- 12
Ivy's death in the elevator shaft
In a final tragic turn, Ivy falls down an empty elevator shaft to her death. The fall marks the collapse of her schemes and the price of her ambitions.
When:Night Where:Elevator shaft in a building
Who Are the Main Characters in Ivy?
5 characters, among them Ivy Lexton (Joan Fontaine), Miles Rushworth (Herbert Marshall) and Inspector Orpington (Cedric Hardwicke): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Ivy Lexton (Joan Fontaine)
Played by Joan Fontaine
A married socialite with a talent for charm and manipulation, Ivy pursues wealth and status at any cost. She engineers her husband Jervis’s death and tries to frame Roger Gretorex, using romance as a tool to advance her plans. Her world collapses as the Inspector closes in, and she exits in a fatal elevator fall.
- 💃 Socialite
- 💔 Manipulation
- MR
Miles Rushworth (Herbert Marshall)
Played by Herbert Marshall
A wealthy suitor drawn to Ivy’s world but repelled by her criminal plotting. He resists the affair because of propriety, yet remains entangled in the web of Ivy’s schemes. After learning of the machinations, he chooses to walk away, denying Ivy the reward she seeks.
- 💎 Wealth
- 🏛️ High Society
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Inspector Orpington (Cedric Hardwicke)
Played by Cedric Hardwicke
A relentless detective who uncovers foul play behind Jervis Lexton’s death. He pieces together clues, remains skeptical of Roger Gretorex, and unveils new evidence that shifts the case toward truth and accountability.
- 🕵️ Investigation
- ⚖️ Justice
- DR
Dr. Roger Gretorex (Patric Knowles)
Played by Patric Knowles
A physician infatuated with Ivy, whose devotion becomes central to Ivy’s plot. He is accused and confesses under pressure, illustrating how love and credibility can be weaponized in high-society intrigue.
- ❤️ Obsession
- 🧪 Doctor
- 🎭 Deception
- JL
Jervis Lexton (Richard Ney)
Played by Richard Ney
Ivy’s husband, whose dependency on Ivy’s social ambitions leaves him vulnerable. His death is the catalyst that triggers the investigation and exposes Ivy’s lethal plan.
- 💔 Spouse
- 🧭 Mystery
Where and When Is Ivy Set?
Ivy is set in England (Edwardian era (1901-1910)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Edwardian era (1901-1910)
The Edwardian period was defined by formal manners, imperial confidence, and rising luxury. Social codes governed relationships and reputation with little tolerance for scandal. Law enforcement relied on methodical inquiries to expose hidden motives behind polished veneers.
Where
England
Set in Edwardian England, the film portrays a society obsessed with wealth, propriety, and appearances. The action centers on upper-class drawing rooms and the quiet menace of a calculated plot behind polite facades. The era’s strict social codes shape every choice, from courtship to crime.
- 🇬🇧 England
- 🕰️ Edwardian setting
What Are the Themes of Ivy?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Secrets, Wealth and Investigation.
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01
Secrets
Ivy’s scheme relies on keeping critical truths hidden—her marriage, her affair with Roger Gretorex, and the murder plot against Jervis. The narrative turns on the unmasking of these secrets as the detective closes in. Deception, once exposed, weaponizes guilt and shifts the balance of power.
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02
Wealth
The pursuit of money drives Ivy’s every move, exposing how wealth can corrupt loyalties and blur moral lines. Social status becomes a currency that justifies extreme actions. The plot demonstrates how affluence intensifies pressure to secure a more favorable future.
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03
Investigation
Inspector Orpington’s investigation threads through misdirection and newly uncovered evidence. Each clue challenges Ivy’s control and reveals the limits of her schemes. The pursuit of truth edges toward moral reckoning and closure.
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04
Love
Romance here is a battlefield where affection is weaponized by ambition. Ivy’s entanglements with Miles and Roger test loyalties and expose the costs of desire. The story shows how love can be exploited to secure power, with tragedy as the final consequence.
What Kind of Film Is Ivy?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A harsh and anxious thriller following a ruthless Edwardian socialite's desperate scheme to secure wealth, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere of deception that culminates in a tragic downfall.
- deceptive
- desperate
- harsh
- anxious
- cold
- claustrophobic
- murder
- infidelity
- deception
- crime investigation
Content notes: murder, poisoning.
Quiz
How well do you remember Ivy? Test yourself on the story.
