Eileen

Main Plot

Eileen is set in the 1960s and follows the life of a young woman named Eileen, who works at a juvenile correctional facility. Feeling trapped in her mundane existence and dealing with a complicated relationship with her alcoholic father, Eileen's life takes a turn when a new counselor, Rebecca, arrives at the facility. Rebecca's charisma and confidence captivate Eileen, leading her to develop an intense obsession with her. As Eileen becomes increasingly involved in Rebecca's life, she finds herself drawn into a dark and twisted series of events that challenge her perceptions of loyalty, morality, and desire. The film explores themes of isolation, longing, and the complexities of human relationships, culminating in a shocking revelation that alters the course of Eileen's life forever.

Characters

• Thomasin McKenzie plays Rebecca Saint John, a charismatic counselor who becomes the object of fascination for the titular character, influencing her transformation and involvement in a crime.
• Shea Whigham plays Jimmy, Eileen's father, a retired policeman struggling with alcoholism, whose behavior influences Eileen's bleak outlook on life and her eventual transformation.
• Sam Nivola plays Jimmy, a prison guard who becomes romantically involved with the titular character, influencing her decisions and actions throughout the story.

Ending Explained

In William Oldroyd’s Eileen, the film’s conclusion brings the simmering tension between Eileen and Rebecca to a head, resolving the central conflict rooted in Eileen’s longing for escape and connection. After Eileen becomes entangled in Rebecca’s dark secret involving the abuse of a young inmate, the final act sees Rebecca manipulate Eileen into helping her cover up a crime. This act forces Eileen to confront her own boundaries and desires, ultimately pushing her to make a decisive break from her oppressive life and toxic relationship with her alcoholic father. The film ends with Eileen taking control of her fate—she leaves her father behind, symbolically and literally freeing herself from the stifling environment that has defined her existence. Rebecca’s enigmatic influence lingers, but Eileen’s final choice marks her transformation from passive observer to active participant in her own life. The ending is both unsettling and empowering, as Eileen steps into an uncertain future, having finally asserted her agency and severed ties with her past.