Master 2022

Drama

Box Office

$29M

Runtime

91 min

Language

English

Directed by

Mariama Diallo

Made by

Amazon Studios

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Master Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Master (2022). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist at the stunning Gracewood Gardens, has always sought solace from his troubled past through the delicate art of gardening and ritualistic journaling, believing it represents “a belief in the future.” The estate, owned by the affluent dowager Mrs. Haverhill, is the focal point of his life. However, she decides to change his routine when she orders him to mentor her recently orphaned grandniece, Maya, to ensure the gardens remain “in the family.”

Initially resistant to the idea of being trained by Roth, Maya’s relationship with Mrs. Haverhill is strained, but as they navigate their new dynamic, a sense of closeness develops between her and Roth. The situation becomes perilous when Maya is assaulted by her drug dealer, R.G., prompting Roth to intervene by sending his case agent to intimidate him. In a moment of vulnerability, Maya attempts to seduce Roth, but he instinctively recoils when she tries to remove his shirt, afraid of exposing his hidden tattoos. Displeased by witnessing this encounter, Mrs. Haverhill fires them both in a fit of jealousy.

In defiance, Roth and Maya choose to leave together, making a stop at her apartment, where she indulges in one last high while Roth confronts R.G. and his ally Sissy. After spending days on the run, Roth slowly starts to unveil his guarded side to Maya, ultimately revealing his tattoos in their motel room—an unexpected shock for Maya. Unbeknownst to Maya, Roth carries a burdensome secret as a former White supremacist under witness protection due to his betrayal of his associates after refusing to harm a black preacher’s family. When Maya inquires about the tattoos’ removal, Roth assures her he will change, and that night, they share an intimate moment for the first time.

However, their newfound tranquility is shattered when Roth learns of vandalism at the gardens. They rush back to assess the damage, and Maya suspects R.G. and Sissy are behind it. Roth visits Mrs. Haverhill, cleverly disarming her of a WWII trophy Luger, which she intended to use for protection. That evening, driven by a need for justice, Roth and Maya confront R.G. and Sissy during a raucous party, reigniting the chaos with gunfire. While Roth hands Maya a gun, she chooses not to kill, leading Roth to enact violence by breaking their legs instead.

Returning to Gracewood Gardens, Roth confronts Mrs. Haverhill with a threefold proposal: returning her father’s Luger, rejuvenating the gardens, and declaring that he and Maya will now live together “as husband and wife”—an assertion she finds obscene. A standoff ensues, but when the unloaded Luger poses no threat, she reluctantly allows them to leave. In a moment of joy and freedom, Roth and Maya share a dance on the porch of his cabin nestled within the gardens, looking forward to their new life ahead.

Master Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Master (2022) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Narvel Roth's Life at Gracewood Gardens

Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist, finds solace in the art of gardening at the stunning Gracewood Gardens. His life revolves around tending to the estate owned by the affluent Mrs. Haverhill, using gardening as his escape from a troubled past.

Gracewood Gardens

New Responsibilities with Maya

Mrs. Haverhill decides to change Roth's routine by assigning him the responsibility of mentoring her recently orphaned grandniece, Maya. This unexpected arrangement introduces a new dynamic in Roth's life, as he must now balance his own healing with guiding Maya.

Gracewood Gardens

Strained Relations

Initially, Maya is resistant to being trained by Roth, which puts a strain on her relationship with both him and Mrs. Haverhill. However, as time passes, a sense of closeness begins to develop between Roth and Maya, bridging the gap created by their initial hostility.

Gracewood Gardens

Assault and Intervention

Maya faces a violent encounter with her drug dealer, R.G., leading to a critical moment where Roth intervenes. He sends his case agent to intimidate R.G., showcasing his willingness to protect Maya despite the personal risks involved.

The Failed Seduction

In a vulnerable moment, Maya attempts to seduce Roth, but he instinctively recoils when she tries to remove his shirt. His fear of exposing his hidden tattoos reveals deeper insecurities, further complicating their relationship.

Fired and Leaving

Witnessing the failed seduction, Mrs. Haverhill becomes jealous and fires both Roth and Maya. In defiance, they decide to leave Gracewood Gardens together, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.

Gracewood Gardens

A Last High and Confrontation

At Maya's apartment, she indulges in one last high while Roth confronts R.G. and his ally Sissy. This moment highlights the dangers both characters face as they navigate the world of drugs and violence.

Maya's apartment

Revealing Secrets

As they spend days on the run, Roth slowly begins to unveil his guarded side to Maya, revealing his tattoos in their motel room. This unexpected revelation shocks Maya, deepening their bond while also hinting at Roth's troubled past.

Motel room

Hidden Truths Unveiled

Unbeknownst to Maya, Roth is a former White supremacist under witness protection, burdened by his dark past. His reluctance to remove his tattoos symbolizes the struggles of changing one's identity and shedding old beliefs.

Vandalism at Gracewood

Upon learning about vandalism at Gracewood Gardens, Roth and Maya immediately rush back to investigate the damage. Maya suspects R.G. and Sissy's involvement, introducing a new layer of conflict into their lives.

Gracewood Gardens

Disarming Mrs. Haverhill

Roth cleverly disarms Mrs. Haverhill, taking away a WWII trophy Luger she intended to use for protection. This act of cunning indicates his determination to protect Maya while also attempting to regain control over the chaos.

Gracewood Gardens

Confrontation at the Party

In a bold move, Roth and Maya confront R.G. and Sissy during a raucous party, reigniting their chaotic relationship. The event escalates dramatically when gunfire erupts, reflecting the dangers that surround their new life.

Maya's Choice

As Roth hands Maya a gun, she makes a pivotal choice not to kill R.G. Instead, Roth resorts to brutal violence by breaking their legs, showcasing the contrasting approaches to dealing with their adversaries.

The Proposal

Back at Gracewood Gardens, Roth confronts Mrs. Haverhill with a threefold proposal: returning the Luger, rejuvenating the gardens, and asserting that he and Maya will now live together as husband and wife. This bold declaration shocks Mrs. Haverhill and sets the stage for a standoff.

Gracewood Gardens

A New Beginning

After a tense standoff, Roth and Maya are reluctantly allowed to leave with a sense of victory. The film concludes with Roth and Maya sharing a joyful dance on the porch of his cabin, symbolizing their newfound freedom and commitment to one another as they look towards their future.

Roth's cabin

Master Characters

Explore all characters from Master (2022). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Narvel Roth (Regina Hall)

Narvel Roth is a meticulous horticulturist who grapples with the demons of his past as a former White supremacist. He finds solace in his work at Gracewood Gardens and gradually learns to open up emotionally to Maya while navigating the complexities of his past. Roth embodies resilience and the struggle for redemption.

🌱 Redemption 🌿 Growth 💪 Strength

Maya (Talia Ryder)

Maya is a recently orphaned young woman who initially struggles with her new environment under Roth's mentorship. As she confronts her past traumas and builds a bond with Roth, she showcases growth, vulnerability, and a desire for independence while navigating danger.

🛡️ Protection 💔 Struggle 🌸 Resilience

Mrs. Haverhill (Talia Balsam)

Mrs. Haverhill is the affluent dowager and owner of Gracewood Gardens, whose controlling nature drives much of the plot. Her jealousy and traditional views create tension with Roth and Maya, highlighting her role as an antagonist in their journey towards freedom and self-discovery.

👑 Authority ⚔️ Conflict 🤔 Jealousy

Master Settings

Learn where and when Master (2022) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The story is contemporary, reflecting modern societal issues such as trauma, crime, and the quest for redemption. It portrays the struggles of characters dealing with their troubled pasts and the complexities of forming new relationships in today's world.

Location

Gracewood Gardens

Gracewood Gardens is a stunning estate known for its meticulously maintained landscape and serene environment. It serves as a sanctuary for the main character, Narvel Roth, where he finds solace through gardening. The gardens not only represent beauty but also become a critical backdrop for the unfolding relationships and conflicts in the story.

🌳 Garden 🏰 Estate

Master Themes

Discover the main themes in Master (2022). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌱

Redemption

Redemption is a central theme as Narvel Roth seeks to atone for his troubled past as a former White supremacist. His journey with Maya showcases personal growth and the desire to change, highlighting that it's never too late to seek a new path and connection.

🛡️

Protection

The theme of protection weaves throughout the story, as Narvel takes on a guardian role for Maya after her traumatic experience. This theme also extends to the protective nature of both characters as they confront external threats, underscoring the importance of safety and loyalty in their lives.

💔

Struggle

The characters face numerous struggles, both internally and externally. From Roth's battles with his past to Maya’s fight against the darkness in her life, the narrative lays bare the harsh realities they encounter, emphasizing the strength it takes to confront and overcome adversity.

Master Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Master (2022) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

The ending of Master is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers questioning what was real and what was symbolic. Throughout the film, there are signs pointing to supernatural events, such as Jasmine experiencing visions of a witch and injuries that could be attributed to sleepwalking, which ties into the New England folklore of Margaret Millet, a woman executed as a witch. However, the film also offers a non-supernatural explanation—that Jasmine’s injuries might be the result of sleepwalking or hallucinations, and the figures seen around campus might be part of a religious group rather than ghosts. This ambiguity is intentional, emphasizing that the real horrors the characters face are rooted in racial trauma rather than supernatural forces.

The story culminates with Jasmine’s tragic death, hanging herself in the cursed Room 302, fulfilling the local legends and possibly symbolizing her personal torment and the racial violence inflicted upon her. Yet, it’s left uncertain whether her death was caused by supernatural influence or the brutal reality of racism and emotional abuse. Similarly, the eerie appearances of hooded figures are never definitively explained, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

A major twist reveals that Liv, the professor who harshly judges Jasmine, might be hiding her true identity—the daughter of a white woman claiming to be Black—a deception that aligns with real-life cases of racial impersonation like Rachel Dolezal. This revelation underscores a core theme of the film: that some individuals may perform racial identities for personal or institutional gain, exploiting the desire for diversity while perpetuating deep-seated inequalities. Liv’s complicated story raises questions about authenticity and the corrupting influence of institutions that rely on surface-level diversity to mask ongoing oppression.

In the final scenes, Gail, the college administrator fighting against the campus racism, decides to leave Ancaster altogether, symbolizing her realization that the institution is incapable of meaningful change. Her discovery of symbols of white supremacy within the college’s history and her confrontation with persistent racism suggest that she feels her efforts are futile in a system built on racial injustice. The ending, like the film itself, remains open-ended—whether the supernatural elements were real or metaphorical, the real terror lies in the ongoing, persistent racial violence and the ways institutions perpetuate it. Ultimately, Master leaves viewers pondering the boundaries between myth and reality, and the profound impact of racial trauma hidden beneath the veneer of high society.

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