Smother 2008

Noah is fired from his therapy job

Noah Cooper, a long-time therapist, loses his position at the office where he has worked for many years. The firing upends his routine and sets off a chain of personal upheavals that ripple through his home life.

Wife's cousin Myron moves in

When Noah returns home after work, he discovers his wife's cousin, Myron Stubbs, has moved into the house. He is initially displeased but agrees to let him stay, signaling the start of a broader disruption in his household.

Marilyn arrives with dogs and stays

Marilyn arrives at Noah's home with her dogs and asks to stay. Despite his annoyance, Noah allows his mother to remain under the same roof, bumping up household tensions.

Marilyn leaves Noah's father

Noah learns that his mother has left his father, suspecting that he had an affair. This revelation deepens the sense of upheaval in the family and shapes Marilyn's own choices.

Noah and Marilyn hired at a carpet store; both fired

Noah and Marilyn briefly find work at a carpet store, but Marilyn's careless tasks lead to chaos and both end up being fired. The job instability adds to Noah's growing sense of being out of control.

Noah's relationship with Clare deteriorates; she leaves

The strain from the household upheaval takes a toll on Noah's marriage to Clare, causing their relationship to deteriorate and ultimately leading to her departure. Noah's sense of failure deepens as he loses a close partner.

Marilyn spies on Gene and they have an affair

Marilyn spies on her husband Gene and the two engage in an extramarital encounter. The incident exposes the fragility of Marilyn's own marriage and adds to the tangled web of infidelity surrounding the family.

Gene confesses infidelity

Gene confesses that he has cheated on Marilyn on two occasions. The revelation compounds Marilyn's sense of betrayal and further destabilizes the family unit.

Grandmother Helen Cooper dies

Noah's grandmother, Helen Cooper, dies, triggering a period of mourning within the family. The loss becomes a focal point for the characters as they navigate grief.

Funeral and debate; Noah reconsiders having a baby

At the grandmother's funeral, Noah and Marilyn debate life choices and the possibility of Noah becoming a parent. Moved by his mother's words, Noah reconsiders the decision not to have a baby, sparking a turning point in his outlook.

Noah apologizes to Clare

Realizing the consequences of his estrangement, Noah decides to mend things with Clare and hurries to apologize. The moment marks a potential renewal of their relationship.