Titane 2021

Drama

Box Office

$5M

Runtime

108 min

Language

French

Directed by

Julia Ducournau

Made by

Neon

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Titane Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Titane (2021). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

A young girl named Alexia, played by Agathe Rousselle, creates chaos for her father during a car ride, ultimately leading to a tragic accident that results in a severe skull injury requiring a titanium plate to be inserted into her head. As she emerges from her hospital stay, she distances herself from her parents and develops an unusual obsession with their car.

Years later, Alexia, now an adult adorned with a conspicuous scar on her scalp, performs as a provocative showgirl at a motor show. Her co-worker Justine (Anaïs Fabre) flirts with her, but one night, following a show, a male admirer trails Alexia into the parking lot. In a shocking turn of events, he professes his love and kisses her against her will, prompting Alexia to retaliate violently with a large metal hairpin, killing him.

After this act, as Alexia cleans herself post-murder, she hears a thumping sound echoing from the showroom. She discovers the same car she had modeled with earlier and, in an unexpected moment, enters it unclothed. In a bewildering episode as the car seemingly activates on its own, she experiences climactic pleasure. However, beneath her glamorous life lurks a dark truth; Alexia is a serial killer, having taken the lives of multiple victims over recent months, all while maintaining a dispassionate relationship with her oblivious parents.

As if the turmoil isn’t enough, Alexia soon grapples with an unexpected pregnancy. She attempts to abort the child using her hairpin but is unsuccessful. A night at a house party leads to a liaison with Justine, which turns deadly as Alexia murders her mid-act. She continues her spree, dispatching the other guests, except for one who narrowly escapes. In a fit of rage, Alexia incinerates her home with her parents locked inside their bedroom.

Now identified as a fugitive, she drastically alters her appearance, disguising herself as Adrien, a boy who disappeared a decade prior. Vincent (Vincent Lindon), Adrien’s father, notices this new “son,” but when the police request a DNA test for verification, he instinctively refuses.

Vincent, a fire captain, introduces Alexia to his team at the station, where they’re puzzled by the silent, androgynous presence of the supposed Adrien. Despite concerns from others, Vincent’s overprotectiveness grows, leading Alexia to ponder escape. Yet when Vincent faces a health crisis due to steroid misuse, she feels compelled to stay.

In a haunting twist, Vincent’s estranged ex-wife visits and encounters the now visibly pregnant Alexia, who refrains from exposing the secret in order to protect Vincent’s fantasy. The situation escalates when Vincent inadvertently uncovers a glimpse of Alexia’s true form. Instead of turning her in, he chooses to continue his support.

As Alexia’s body deteriorates, revealing mechanical aspects and discharging what appears to be motor oil, she ultimately confides her true identity to Vincent. In a gasp-inducing climax, he assists her in childbirth, but the traumatic experience leads to Alexia’s demise. Holding their newborn, whose spine appears composed of titanium, Vincent pours out his grief, whispering, “I’m here.”

Titane Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Titane (2021) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Tragic Car Accident

During a tumultuous car ride, a young girl named Alexia creates chaos, leading to a severe accident. This incident results in a catastrophic skull injury that necessitates the surgical insertion of a titanium plate in her head.

Emergence from Hospital

After a lengthy hospital stay to recover from her injuries, Alexia returns to her home. However, she becomes increasingly alienated from her parents and develops a bizarre obsession with cars.

Showgirl at Motor Show

Years later, now an adult, Alexia captivates audiences as a provocative showgirl at a car exhibition. Despite her seemingly glamorous life, her past and dark side simmer beneath the surface.

Motor Show

Violent Retaliation

After a male admirer confronts Alexia outside the show, professing his unexpected love, she feels threatened. In a shocking act of self-defense, she uses a metal hairpin to kill him, marking the start of her violent spree.

Parking Lot

Obsession with the Car

In the aftermath of the murder, Alexia washes herself clean and finds herself drawn to a car she modeled with earlier. The car mysteriously activates, leading her into an inexplicably euphoric experience.

Showroom

Life as a Serial Killer

As she maintains her exterior life, it becomes evident that Alexia is a serial killer. She continues to take the lives of numerous victims while keeping her violent tendencies hidden from her family.

Months Later

Unexpected Pregnancy

Alexia discovers she is unexpectedly pregnant, a shock to her lifestyle. In a desperate act, she attempts to abort the child using her hairpin, but her efforts prove futile.

Murder at the House Party

At a house party, Alexia becomes intimate with Justine, but the encounter ends in tragedy. In a fit of bloodlust, she murders Justine and goes on to kill the other guests, with one narrowly escaping.

House Party

Incinerating Her Past

Overwhelmed by her dark life, Alexia decides to burn down her home. With her parents trapped inside their locked bedroom, she commits this horrific act, severing all ties with her previous life.

Her Home

Adopting Adrien's Identity

Now a fugitive, Alexia transforms her appearance, adopting the identity of Adrien, a boy who vanished a decade earlier. This drastic change allows her to enter Vincent’s life, unaware of his suspicions.

Life at the Fire Station

Vincent, Adrien's father, introduces the new 'son' to his team at the fire station. Despite initially raising concerns about Alexia's silence and androgynous appearance, Vincent's protective instincts deepen.

Fire Station

Concealing the Truth

When Vincent faces health challenges from steroid misuse, Alexia hesitates to reveal her true identity. She remains supportive, deepening their unusual bond and complicating her already perilous situation.

Strained Family Dynamics

The tension escalates when Vincent's estranged ex-wife visits, unknowingly confronting Alexia's secret. Despite her pregnancy becoming apparent, Alexia keeps her truth hidden to preserve Vincent's delusion.

Revelation of True Identity

As Alexia's condition worsens, revealing her mechanical nature, she finally confesses to Vincent. In a climactic moment, he assists her during childbirth, leading to a shocking turn of events.

Heartbreaking Conclusion

The traumatic childbirth takes a deadly toll on Alexia, leading to her demise. Vincent is left holding their newborn, whose spine contains titanium, as he grapples with his grief, whispering comforting words.

Titane Characters

Explore all characters from Titane (2021). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Alexia

Alexia is a complex and troubled young woman whose life spirals into chaos following a traumatic accident. She struggles with her identity and seeks thrills through her rebellious actions, leading to a deadly path as a serial killer. Her character embodies themes of desire, violence, and transformation.

🩹 Protagonist 🔥 Traumatized 🕵️‍♀️ Killer

Vincent

Vincent is a dedicated fire captain who unwittingly becomes entwined with Alexia's life under the guise of 'Adrien.' His protective nature contrasts with Alexia's violent tendencies, showcasing a paternal bond that complicates his perception of reality. He represents the dichotomy of love and denial.

👨‍🚒 Protector 💔 Father 😔 Distraught

Justine

Justine is a flirtatious co-worker and unknowing accomplice to Alexia's darker side. Her interactions with Alexia bring a sense of normalcy, but ultimately her fate becomes a tragic symbol of the violence lurking beneath the surface. Justine's character highlights the collateral damage of Alexia's hidden life.

🌟 Flirt 🩸 Victim 🎭 Performer

Titane Settings

Learn where and when Titane (2021) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Contemporary

The events of the film unfold in a contemporary setting, marked by modern societal issues and personal turmoil. This time period reflects the complexities of identity, as exemplified by Alexia's struggle with her past and her transformation into Adrien. Issues such as gender identity and the implications of technology on human life come to the forefront during this era.

Location

Motor Show, Alexia's Home, Vincent's Fire Station

The movie extensively features a vibrant motor show, where Alexia performs as a provocative showgirl, showcasing the glamor of automotive culture. Alexia's home serves as a backdrop for her chaotic life, filled with dark secrets and violent outbursts. Vincent's fire station is a contrasting environment that highlights a sense of duty and community, showcasing the complex dynamic between the characters.

🏙️ Urban 🚗 Automotive 🔥 Firehouse

Titane Themes

Discover the main themes in Titane (2021). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🚗

Automotive Obsession

Automobiles play a pivotal role in the story, symbolizing both freedom and destruction in Alexia's life. Her obsession with cars reflects her tumultuous emotions and chaotic existence, driving her actions throughout the film. The juxtaposition of beauty and violence in her relationship with cars underscores the film’s exploration of desire and control.

🔪

Violence

Violence is a recurring theme, representing Alexia's internal struggles and her responses to trauma. Her transformation into a serial killer showcases the extreme outcomes of repressed emotions and societal expectations. The film navigates the complexities of human nature, illustrating how dark impulses can emerge in the face of personal crises.

🤰

Identity and Transformation

The theme of identity is intricately woven into the narrative, especially through Alexia’s metamorphosis into Adrien. This transformation raises questions about gender, self-perception, and societal roles. Alexia's pregnancy further complicates her identity, reflecting the tensions between her true self and the facade she adopts.

Titane Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Titane (2021) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

*In the film’s finale, Alexia, who has been transformed by her extreme bodily experiences and her connection to metal, gives birth to a titanium-based child after a harrowing and gruesome final labor. Throughout the movie, her body is intertwined with metal—she has a titanium plate in her skull, engages in sexual acts with cars, and ultimately becomes pregnant with a metal-infused baby. This bizarre process symbolizes her deep-rooted identity struggles, her detachment from human emotions, and her corporeal rebellion. When she finally delivers the child, she dies from the strain, and the newborn, with a spine of titanium, signifies a new, strange life born from her body’s unnatural union with metal.

The ending is open to interpretation but can be understood as a metaphor for transformation and the inescapable nature of one’s true self. Alexia’s connection to titanium might represent her merging with something inhuman or unchangeable, reflecting how her identity is shaped by her trauma, her violent acts, and her bodily obsession with machines. Her death at the moment of giving birth illustrates the culmination of her tortured existence and her attempt to create something entirely new out of her fragmented identity. Meanwhile, her surrogate father figure, Vincent, accepts her for who she truly is, acknowledging the profound bond formed through their shared bodily and emotional pain. The film leaves viewers contemplating whether her transformation is a tragic surrender to her monstrous nature or a surreal rebirth into a new, post-human state. Ultimately, the ending underscores the film’s themes of bodily autonomy, transformation, and the blurred boundaries between human and machine.*”

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