The Sleeping Beauty 2011

Drama

Box Office

$409K

Runtime

82 min

Language

French

Directed by

Catherine Breillat

Made by

Strand Releasing

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The Sleeping Beauty Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Sleeping Beauty (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Lucy, portrayed by Emily Browning, is a university student juggling multiple odd jobs. From volunteering as a test subject in the university’s medical research lab to working at a coffee shop and managing photocopies in an office, she leads a hectic life. On top of that, she frequents a high-end bar, offering her companionship as a sex partner. Her landlord has little regard for her, yet she finds solace in the company of the distant Birdmann, played by Ewen Leslie. Despite not returning his affections, her time with him brings her more happiness than any of her other interactions.

One day, Lucy responds to an intriguing ad and meets Clara, portrayed by Rachael Blake, who offers her a unique job opportunity: freelance silver service in lingerie. Lucy accepts the unusual offer with the assurance from Clara that penetration would not be involved during these encounters. Clara insists on calling her Sarah and prepares her with beauty treatments before her first event. At the formal dinner party, Lucy stands out in her white lingerie, surrounded by older women in black, their harsh makeup contrasting sharply with her innocence. She serves drinks throughout the evening, earning her pay before returning home.

After completing another serving job, Lucy receives a call from Clara’s assistant, Thomas. He drives her to a secluded country mansion where Clara hints that Lucy will soon slip into a deep slumber after drinking tea. The next scene unfolds with Lucy unconscious in bed, as the host from her previous dinner party enters, adhering to the non-penetration rule. Disturbingly, he begins to caress her body as he settles next to her.

Things take a turn for the worse when Lucy faces eviction from her current accommodation and ends up renting a more expensive apartment. After a couple more sessions with Clara, she receives a devastating call from Birdmann—he has overdosed, and Lucy rushes to his side as he breathes his last. In a moment of despair, she climbs into bed with him, crying without attempting to save him. At his funeral, she shockingly proposes to an acquaintance, who, taken aback, declines due to a new relationship and points out Lucy’s numerous flaws.

Struggling with her circumstances, Lucy is fired from her office job and buys a hidden camera. She spirals further into reckless behavior, indulging in drugs with a coworker and waking up in a compromising situation. Her tardiness leads to a confrontation with Clara, whom Lucy asks about witnessing the sessions while she’s asleep. Clara, concerned about potential blackmail risks, refuses her request. However, Lucy’s determination leads her to secretly install the camera in her mouth during her next assignment.

This time, the same man from before returns, and Clara administers an even larger dose of the sleeping drug in his tea. The following morning, Clara checks on him, showing no surprise when he fails to awaken. Panicking, she then attempts to wake Lucy, ultimately relying on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive her. Upon awakening to the grim reality of the naked dead man beside her, Lucy’s horror culminates in a chilling scream.

The film closes with a harrowing image captured by Lucy’s hidden camera: the stark juxtaposition of the deceased man and the sleeping girl, encapsulating the dark themes of exploitation and despair.

The Sleeping Beauty Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Sleeping Beauty (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Lucy Balances Her Hectic Life

Lucy, a university student, juggles multiple odd jobs ranging from volunteering as a test subject in a medical research lab to working at a coffee shop. Despite the chaos, she finds a semblance of happiness through her infrequent encounters with Birdmann, who remains emotionally distant from her.

University

Lucy Accepts a Job Offer

After responding to an intriguing ad, Lucy meets Clara, who presents her with a unique job opportunity: freelance silver service in lingerie. Clara assures Lucy that the job will not involve any penetration, and Lucy decides to accept the offer, eager for a change.

Preparation for Her First Event

Clara prepares Lucy for her first serving job by giving her beauty treatments, readying her to stand out at a formal dinner party. Dressed in white lingerie and surrounded by older women, Lucy feels a mix of excitement and apprehension as she steps into this new role.

Formal Dinner Party

Serving Drinks at the Dinner Party

At the dinner party, Lucy diligently serves drinks, aware of the stark contrast between her innocence and the harsh makeup of the older women around her. She performs her duties well, earning her pay and a strange sense of belonging, despite the unsettling atmosphere.

Secluded Mansion

A Sinister Turn of Events

After completing another job, Lucy is taken to a secluded mansion by Clara's assistant, Thomas. There, she is offered tea, and after drinking it, she becomes unconscious, leading to a horrifying encounter as a man from the dinner party enters her room, violating the trust of their previous agreement.

Secluded Mansion

Facing Eviction and Rising Costs

With impending eviction and the need for a new place, Lucy succumbs to renting a more expensive apartment, further straining her finances. This change adds to her stress as she navigates her life filled with questionable job choices and surroundings.

Tragic News About Birdmann

Lucy receives a devastating phone call from Birdmann, informing her of his overdose. Rushing to his side, she finds herself engulfed in grief as she witnesses his final moments, feeling helpless and despondent as she lies beside him in mourning.

Hospital

Declining Proposals at the Funeral

At Birdmann's funeral, overcome with emotion, Lucy impulsively proposes to an acquaintance in a misguided attempt to find solace. Her proposal is met with shock and denial, highlighting her vulnerabilities and the disconnection she feels with those around her.

Funeral

Spiraling Out of Control

After being fired from her office job, Lucy engages in reckless behavior, seeking distraction through drugs alongside a coworker. This decision leads her to wake up in a compromising situation, intensifying her feelings of isolation and desperation.

Co-worker's Apartment

A Desperate Measure for Surveillance

Determined to understand her situation better, Lucy buys a hidden camera and covertly installs it during her next assignment with Clara. Her actions stem from a fear of being exploited again, showcasing her drive to regain some control over her life.

The Night of Horrors Unfolds

During her next assignment, the same man returns and Clara increases the dosage of the drug in his tea. When Lucy awakens the next morning, she is horrified to discover the lifeless body of the man next to her, leaving her to grapple with the shocking implications.

Secluded Mansion

The Aftermath of Awakening

Panicked, Clara tries to wake Lucy, resorting to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Lucy awakens to the grim reality, filled with shock and dread as she processes the lifeless man beside her and the dark turn her life has taken.

Secluded Mansion

A Haunting Conclusion

The film concludes with a haunting image captured by Lucy's hidden camera, documenting the chilling juxtaposition of the naked deceased man and the sleeping girl. It serves as a stark reminder of the film's dark themes of exploitation, despair, and the loss of innocence.

The Sleeping Beauty Characters

Explore all characters from The Sleeping Beauty (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Lucy

Lucy is a complex character struggling to balance her academic life and various odd jobs to make ends meet. Her journey is marked by vulnerability, resilience, and a deep desire for connection, which is often thwarted by the manipulative behavior of those around her. Despite her hardships, Lucy's naivety and emotional depth shine through as she seeks both love and validation.

👩‍🎓 Student 🌪️ Vulnerability 💔 Heartbreak

Birdmann

Birdmann is a reclusive figure whom Lucy finds solace in, serving as a representation of her longing for emotional connection amidst her turbulent life. His tragic fate highlights the theme of despair and loss that looms over Lucy. His character adds a layer of complexity to Lucy's emotional landscape as she navigates grief and longing.

🦅 Loneliness 💔 Tragedy

Clara

Clara serves as a catalyst for Lucy's descent into exploitation, representing the allure and dangers of manipulation. While she offers Lucy a unique job opportunity, she simultaneously embodies the darker aspects of control and deceit. Her character blurs the line between mentor and predator, illustrating the complexities of relationships in the world of exploitation.

👩‍🏫 Manipulation 🌑 Deceit

The Sleeping Beauty Settings

Learn where and when The Sleeping Beauty (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie presents a contemporary setting, where modern themes of vulnerability, consent, and societal expectations intertwine amidst the characters' struggles. Lucy's various jobs reflect present-day economic challenges faced by young adults attempting to find their place in the world.

Location

High-end bar, University campus, Country mansion

The high-end bar serves as a backdrop for Lucy's complex social interactions, where she navigates the worlds of companionship and emotional distance. The university campus highlights her struggles as a student juggling multiple jobs. The secluded country mansion stands as a symbol of isolation, where dark secrets and exploitation unfold.

🏙️ City Life 🏡 Mansion

The Sleeping Beauty Themes

Discover the main themes in The Sleeping Beauty (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🕵️‍♀️

Exploitation

Exploitation is a central theme, depicted through Lucy's passive acceptance of her job and the predatory behavior of those around her. Her role as a service provider in intimate situations raises questions about consent and agency. The chilling climax underscores the dangers of neglecting personal autonomy.

💔

Despair

Despair permeates Lucy’s journey as she grapples with loss, eviction, and toxic relationships. Her spiral into recklessness illustrates the psychological toll of her experiences. The film poignantly captures her emotional struggle against the backdrop of external pressures.

💊

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is explored through Lucy's increasing reliance on drugs to escape her grim reality. The film examines how escapism can lead to further degradation. This theme serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of the human psyche amid overwhelming circumstances.

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The Sleeping Beauty Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Sleeping Beauty (2011). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a kingdom caught between ancient prophecy and the quiet pulse of everyday life, a newborn named Anastasia finds her fate bound by a curse that threatens to freeze her future in perpetual sleep. The moment of her birth summons a trio of enigmatic fairies, each bending the threads of destiny in their own way—transforming a death foretold into a century‑long slumber that promises both danger and wonder. Their whispered spells set the stage for a world where time stretches like a lingering dream, and the ordinary merges with the magical.

The film’s tone drifts between delicate fairy‑tale lyricism and a gentle, almost melancholic introspection. Soft, muted palettes give way to bursts of color whenever the kingdom’s hidden enchantments surface, suggesting that even within a long sleep, life’s vibrancy refuses to fade completely. Through the haze of Anastasia’s unconscious wanderings, the audience catches glimpses of whimsical landscapes—floating gardens, echoing corridors of memory, and surreal encounters that feel both playful and profoundly symbolic.

At the heart of the story sits Anastasia herself, a figure whose longing and curiosity echo long after her eyes finally open. Though she is bound by the spell, the film hints at an inner resilience that will guide her through an awakening that is as disorienting as it is hopeful. Around her, the kingdom’s inhabitants, from steadfast guardians to quietly observant courtiers, provide a backdrop of subtle tension, each carrying their own hopes for what her eventual return might herald.

When the centuries finally dissolve, Anastasia faces a world reshaped by time and expectation, where the pursuit of true happiness becomes a delicate, intricate journey. The narrative invites viewers to contemplate the fragile balance between destiny and desire, leaving the promise of her next steps lingering in the air like the final note of a lullaby.

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