Ingrid Goes West

Main Plot

"Ingrid Goes West" follows Ingrid Thorburn, a troubled young woman who becomes obsessed with social media influencer Taylor Sloane. After a series of personal setbacks, Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to befriend Taylor, adopting her lifestyle and interests in an attempt to fit in. As Ingrid's obsession deepens, she manipulates her way into Taylor's life, but her facade begins to crumble, revealing the darker side of social media and the lengths people will go to for validation. The film explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the impact of social media on mental health, ultimately questioning the authenticity of online personas.

Characters

• Aubrey Plaza plays Ingrid Thorburn, a mentally unstable woman who becomes obsessed with an Instagram influencer, leading her to move to Los Angeles to befriend her.
• Elizabeth Olsen plays Taylor Sloane, a social media influencer whose seemingly perfect life attracts the obsessive attention of the protagonist, Ingrid.
• O'Shea Jackson Jr. plays Dan Pinto, a Batman-obsessed screenwriter who becomes Ingrid's landlord and love interest, helping her navigate her obsession with social media influencer Taylor.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "Ingrid Goes West," directed by Matt Spicer, Ingrid Thorburn's obsession with social media influencer Taylor Sloane reaches a breaking point. After a series of manipulative actions to integrate herself into Taylor's life, Ingrid's true nature is exposed, leading to her social isolation. Desperate and alone, Ingrid records a raw, emotional video confession detailing her loneliness and the lengths she went to for validation. She then attempts suicide but is saved by her landlord and friend, Dan Pinto. Ingrid's video confession goes viral, ironically granting her the online attention she craved. The film ends with Ingrid in a hospital bed, receiving an outpouring of supportive messages from strangers who relate to her vulnerability. This bittersweet conclusion highlights the paradox of social media: Ingrid gains the validation she sought, but it comes through exposing her deepest pain and flaws. The ending underscores the film's critique of social media culture, emphasizing the emptiness of online validation and the complex human need for genuine connection.