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Trouble

Trouble 2018

Directed by

Theresa Rebeck

Theresa Rebeck

Made by

Paladin

Paladin

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Trouble (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


Trouble is a pampered dog who enjoys a luxurious life in a mansion owned by his elderly caretaker, Mrs. Sarah Vanderwhoozie. Under the watchful care of his devoted butler, James, and with the help of renowned animal trainer Cesar Millan, Trouble has everything he could wish for. However, everything takes a turn when Mrs. Vanderwhoozie passes away unexpectedly. This leaves Trouble alone in the mansion, unaware of the impending changes that await him.

Her niece and nephew, Claire and Norbert, come to claim their inheritance, but their disdain for Trouble is evident from the moment they arrive. As they begin rummaging through Mrs. Vanderwhoozie’s belongings to prepare for the sale of the house, they completely overlook Trouble, neglecting him in the process. In a surprising turn of events, they soon discover that they cannot inherit their aunt’s wealth unless they manage to bond with and take care of Trouble for three days. If they fail, all is lost. Perplexed by their situation, they hire an animal tracker, Thurman Sanchez, to locate Trouble after he mysteriously goes missing.

As Trouble escapes from the moving truck with his owner’s belongings, he stumbles upon the reality of his owner’s passing. In a moment of chaos, he inadvertently destroys the nut storage of a tree filled with red squirrels, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Now lost and alone, without his collar, Trouble resembles more of a stray dog as the squirrels take their revenge and flee.

During a frantic chase for food in a bustling city, Trouble meets a stray dog named Rousey when they both try to enjoy food from a meat truck, resulting in a hilarious encounter with renowned chef Ludo Lefebvre. As night falls, Trouble finds temporary solace by sleeping outside with Rousey. They soon explore a nearby dog park, where they encounter other pets, including Norm, Gizmo, Bella, and Tippy, who offer to help him find his way home.

Despite the initial troubles he faces, Trouble’s luck seems to turn when he meets Zoe Bell, a pizza delivery girl with dreams of becoming a singer. She takes him to her apartment, and although they develop a close bond, Zoe knows that she has to find Trouble’s rightful home. Driven by her aspirations, she writes a song and creates a new collar for him.

The next day, Trouble confronts Norm and the other dogs in the park, who generously assist him after hearing about the squirrels taking his collar. Meanwhile, Thurman’s search leads to unexpected antics, and when he tries to catch Trouble, he mistakenly gets hold of the squirrel leader. A desperate negotiation ensues: a mound of nuts for Trouble’s freedom. However, when Zoe briefly leaves Trouble alone, the squirrels wreak havoc, resulting in her landlord evicting her upon her return.

At the dog pound where Trouble finds himself next, he reunites with friends Snoop, Otis, and Caramel. Together, they discover Rousey, who reveals that she once had a home of her own but was abandoned due to her courageous reputation during a family’s crisis. Feeling empathy for her plight, Zoe decides to save Trouble instead of competing in her singing contest on the day of the deadline, but soon realizes that Thurman has beaten her to it.

When it seems like all hope is lost, Rousey makes a brave decision to help Zoe rescue Trouble, leading them on a daring chase through the city. They utilize Trouble’s old collar to track him down, enlisting the support of other nearby dogs. However, after a troublesome encounter and failure to receive their payment from Thurman, he returns Trouble to Claire and Norbert, who are on the brink of claiming their inheritance.

Just as they lie to Mr. Macbain about having bonded with Trouble, Zoe arrives and reveals the truth. Thurman attempts to leverage his status, but the tables turn when Mr. Macbain uncovers the deception. A showdown erupts as Snoop, Otis, and Caramel rush in to support Trouble. In a dramatic moment, Rousey arrives just in time to save Trouble from a dire situation, securing his old collar back from the mischievous squirrels.

Ultimately, Mr. Macbain grants Trouble the choice of his new owner. In a twist of fate, Trouble chooses Zoe, much to Claire and Norbert’s dismay. With her victory sealed, Zoe inherits not just Trouble, but the mansion and a portion of Mrs. Vanderwhoozie’s fortune. The bond solidifies as Rousey is also adopted by James.

With newfound resources, Zoe revitalizes the dog park, renaming it in honor of both the late Mrs. Vanderwhoozie and Trouble. She tirelessly pursues her musical dreams, attracting the attention of the esteemed singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz, while the story concludes with a joyful celebration as Snoop, Otis, and Caramel perform a song dedicated to Trouble.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Trouble (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Mrs. Vanderwhoozie's Passing

Trouble, a pampered dog, enjoys a privileged life under the care of his owner, Mrs. Sarah Vanderwhoozie. However, everything changes when she passes away, leaving Trouble alone and unaware of the coming turmoil.

Vanderwhoozie Mansion

Inheritance Claim

Following their aunt's death, Claire and Norbert arrive at the mansion to claim their inheritance. They begin clearing out her possessions, but pay little attention to Trouble, whom they want to get rid of.

Vanderwhoozie Mansion

The Inheritance Condition

Claire and Norbert learn from their aunt's attorney, Mr. Macbain, that they must bond with Trouble within three days to inherit any of her wealth. This revelation frustrates them, as they have little affection for the dog.

Vanderwhoozie Mansion

Trouble Goes Missing

As Claire and Norbert focus on getting rid of their aunt's belongings, Trouble escapes the mansion. Confused and alone, he wanders the neighborhood, unaware of the urgency of his situation.

Encounter with Squirrels

In his journey, Trouble inadvertently destroys a nut storage site in a tree belonging to local squirrels. Outraged, they retaliate by stealing his collar, leaving Trouble feeling like a stray.

Squirrel Tree

Meeting Rousey

While scavenging for food at a meat truck, Trouble meets Rousey, a stray dog with a kind heart. Their friendship begins as they share the challenges of living on the streets.

City Restaurant

Park Adventures

Trouble and Rousey find refuge at a dog park where they meet other domestic dogs. This new group supports Trouble, helping him adapt to his new life and forming a bond with one another.

Dog Park

Zoe's Intervention

Zoe, a pizza delivery girl, rescues Trouble from the chaos of the streets and takes him to her apartment. She begins to care for him, but is concerned about her landlord discovering Trouble's presence.

Zoe's Apartment

Zoe's Singing Aspirations

Zoe works hard to prepare for a singing competition, using her talents to create a special collar for Trouble. Their bond deepens as she seeks to find a place for both of them.

Zoe's Apartment

Capture at the Dog Pound

Trouble ends up in the dog pound where he reconnects with Rousey and meets other strays. Together, they plot their escape, incorporating the help of the dog community.

Dog Pound

The Deadline Approaches

As the deadline to bond with Trouble looms near, Zoe opts to rescue him from the pound instead of attending her singing competition. She realizes her true feelings for him.

Dog Pound

Confrontation with Thurman

Thurman, the tracker hired by Claire and Norbert, manages to find Trouble but gets involved in a tussle with the squirrels. This leads to unexpected alliances and revelations.

Expose of the Twins' Lies

Claire and Norbert attempt to deceive Mr. Macbain about their bond with Trouble to claim their inheritance. However, Zoe arrives and exposes the truth, shifting the outcome.

Vanderwhoozie Mansion

Choosing a New Owner

In a pivotal moment, Mr. Macbain allows Trouble to choose between Zoe, Claire, and Norbert. To everyone's surprise, Trouble chooses Zoe, solidifying their bond.

Vanderwhoozie Mansion

Legacy Honored

Zoe revitalizes the dog park in honor of Mrs. Vanderwhoozie and Trouble, marking a new beginning for both her and the dogs. She also pursues her singing career, finally stepping into the spotlight.

Vanderwhoozie Dog Park

Characters

Explore all characters from Trouble (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Trouble

Trouble is a lovable dog who starts his journey as a pampered pet but faces the harsh realities of being abandoned after his owner's death. Through various encounters, he transforms from a sheltered dog to one that learns about resilience, friendship, and belonging. His quest for a new home showcases his loyalty and adaptability.

🐾 Dog 🏆 Loyal 🏘️ Underdog

Zoe Bell

Zoe is a determined pizza delivery girl with dreams of becoming a singer. Throughout the story, her character embodies compassion and bravery as she risks her stability to help Trouble. Her bond with the dog evolves, reflecting her growth and commitment to her dreams and aspirations.

🎤 Aspiring Singer ❤️ Compassionate 🏙️ Determined

Rousey

Rousey is a stray dog who becomes Trouble's ally during his adventures. With a backstory that makes her skeptical of humans, she ultimately showcases loyalty and bravery. Her character arc emphasizes the importance of trust and friendship in overcoming one's past.

🐕 Stray 🦸 Brave 👩‍❤️‍👩 Sidekick

Claire

Claire is one of Mrs. Vanderwhoozie's relatives who initially shows disdain for Trouble. Her character represents greed and apathy toward familial responsibilities. As the story progresses, she is challenged to confront her attitude and the implications of her inheritance.

💰 Inheritor 🙄 Selfish 👪 Family

Norbert

Norbert is Claire's brother and a partner in the pursuit of their inheritance. He mirrors Claire's sentiments regarding the value of money over relationships, and throughout the film, he encounters challenges that aim to change his perspective on familial connections.

💸 Greedy 🤷 Indifferent 👥 Family

Setting

Learn where and when Trouble (2018) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern urban life where pets, especially dogs, are part of families. Themes of companionship and responsibility resonate throughout the film, mirroring current societal values related to animal welfare and the bond between humans and pets.

Location

Mansion, Dog Park, City

The movie primarily takes place in a luxurious mansion belonging to the elderly Mrs. Sarah Vanderwhoozie. After her passing, the mansion becomes a site of contention as the inheritance is claimed. Additionally, the story unfolds in a vibrant city where Trouble encounters various characters, including other dogs and a pizza delivery girl, ultimately taking a journey through a dog park that becomes central to his adventure.

🏰 Mansion 🐾 Dog Park 🌆 Urban

Themes

Discover the main themes in Trouble (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🐶

Friendship

The theme of friendship is central to Trouble's journey as he navigates the challenges of being lost. Throughout the film, he builds connections with various characters, including strays and helpful humans, demonstrating the importance of companionship. It highlights how friendships can overcome adversity and play a crucial part in finding one's way home.

💔

Loss & Inheritance

The film explores the themes of loss and the complexities of inheritance after Mrs. Vanderwhoozie's death. Claire and Norbert's struggle to qualify for their inheritance reflects a deeper emotional exploration of familial bonds and responsibilities. The necessity of caring for Trouble becomes a poignant metaphor for recognizing and valuing connections in life.

🎤

Dreams

Zoe's aspiration to become a singer resonates as a key theme throughout the movie. Her journey intertwines with Trouble's, showing how the pursuit of one's dreams can lead to unexpected adventures and new relationships. Ultimately, it portrays the tenacity required to follow one's passion despite setbacks and obstacles.

Trouble Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Trouble (2018) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.


In the end, Conny’s perseverance and Diana’s dedication paid off. Throughout the film, they worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind Luka’s murder and the corrupt police officers involved. Conny, having been wrongly accused and imprisoned, discovered Luka’s phone—hidden and destroyed by Helena—to find evidence linking Helena to the drug theft and Luka’s murder. Meanwhile, Diana secretly helped Conny and continued her own investigation, risking her career and safety to get to the truth. As their evidence mounted, they uncovered Helena’s scheme to steal drugs during police raids, sell them, and frame innocent people like Conny. Their efforts culminated in a clever plan to expose Helena and Hasse at a hotel, where Conny used a clever technical trick, connecting the television to the elevator screen to reveal the full video evidence. When Josef saw the footage confirming Helena’s corruption, the police arrested Helena, Hasse, and the drug kingpins, clearing Conny and proving his innocence. In the end, justice was served, and Conny was finally free from the nightmare of wrongful imprisonment. It’s implied that his bond with Diana might blossom into something more, as she had shown genuine concern for him throughout the ordeal, leaving the door open for a hopeful future for both of them.

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