What is the plot?

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey opens in 1996 New York, where David, a reserved history enthusiast in his late 30s, drives downstate to attend a mutual friend's wedding. He travels in an old Volkswagen Passat equipped with a peculiar GPS system that unexpectedly speaks to him. At the wedding, David encounters Sarah, a free-spirited artist also in her 30s, who has developed a guarded demeanor shaped by a painful past. Their initial conversation is tentative, with Sarah's tough exterior making it difficult for David to discern her feelings. By the end of the night, Sarah pairs off with one of the groomsmen, leaving David uncertain about their connection.

The following morning, as David prepares to leave, the GPS surprises him by asking if he wants to embark on a "big bold beautiful journey." Despite his unease, David agrees. The GPS first directs him to a nearby Burger King, where he unexpectedly reunites with Sarah. They share a casual meal, and David invites her to join him on this mysterious journey. Sarah, intrigued and somewhat resigned, agrees.

Their adventure begins at a lighthouse museum, which is itself a functioning lighthouse. As they ascend to the top and watch the sunset, a subtle bond forms between them. The journey then takes a surreal turn when the GPS transports them back to David's high school two decades earlier, during a pivotal moment in his senior year. David inhabits his younger self, preparing to perform as the lead in the school play. Before the show, he confesses his love to his girlfriend, only to be heartbreakingly rejected as she leaves him for a college freshman. This painful memory resurfaces vividly, allowing David to confront his youthful vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Sarah's backstory unfolds through their travels. She is revealed to be fleeing a traumatic past, including a strained relationship with her mother, portrayed by Lily Rabe. Sarah's guardedness stems from these unresolved wounds, which the journey forces her to face. The pair's path leads them through a series of fantastical and symbolic locations, each representing significant moments from their histories. These include a mysterious doorway that allows them to step into defining events, offering a chance to understand and potentially alter their futures.

As they traverse these landscapes, David and Sarah encounter enigmatic forces that challenge their perceptions of reality and self. Their relationship deepens, evolving from strangers to companions united by shared vulnerability and the quest for meaning. The journey tests their fears and beliefs, compelling them to confront the choices that shaped their lives.

Throughout the film, political intrigue and interpersonal betrayals subtly weave into the narrative, primarily through secondary characters connected to the wedding and their pasts. These elements add layers of complexity, highlighting themes of trust and deception. Notably, a subplot involving a mutual friend's betrayal at the wedding surfaces, revealing hidden motives that impact David and Sarah's trust in others.

The climax unfolds as David and Sarah reach a metaphysical crossroads, symbolized by a grand arena-like setting where they must face their inner demons and the consequences of their past decisions. This sequence is marked by intense emotional confrontations rather than physical battles, emphasizing psychological struggle over violence.

Character deaths occur sparingly but poignantly. A key figure from Sarah's past, her estranged father, dies offscreen, his absence a catalyst for her emotional journey. Additionally, a minor antagonist connected to the wedding's political subplot meets a fatal end during a confrontation that underscores the stakes of betrayal and loyalty.

In the film's resolution, David and Sarah emerge transformed. David reconciles with his past heartbreak, gaining closure and a renewed sense of self. Sarah confronts her mother, leading to a tentative but hopeful reconciliation. The final scenes depict them returning to the present, their relationship strengthened and their futures open to new possibilities. The GPS, having guided them through this odyssey, falls silent, symbolizing the end of their extraordinary journey.

The film closes with David and Sarah standing together at the lighthouse once more, watching a sunrise that signifies new beginnings. Their story, marked by chance encounters, mystical experiences, and emotional revelations, leaves them poised to embrace life with courage and openness.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, directed by Kogonada and written by Seth Reiss, blends romantic fantasy with introspective drama, exploring how confronting the past can illuminate the path forward. The performances by Margot Robbie as Sarah and Colin Farrell as David anchor the narrative, supported by a strong ensemble including Lily Rabe as Sarah's mother and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a key supporting role. The film's release on September 19, 2025, by Sony Pictures marks a distinctive entry into the genre, noted for its imaginative storytelling and emotional depth.

What is the ending?

At the end of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025), Sarah and David, two strangers connected by fate, complete their fantastical journey through doors that lead them to relive and confront key moments from their pasts. They emerge transformed, having gained new understanding and hope for their futures, with their personal conflicts resolved and their paths intertwined.

The ending unfolds scene by scene as follows:

Sarah and David, after meeting at a mutual friend's wedding, find themselves inexplicably drawn into a surreal adventure where doors transport them to significant moments in their own histories. As the story progresses, they revisit these memories, confronting regrets, lost opportunities, and unresolved emotions. Each door they pass through reveals a piece of their past that shaped who they are.

In the final sequence, they arrive at a door that symbolizes a pivotal choice--one that could alter their futures. Together, they step through it, facing the unknown with newfound courage. This moment is quiet but profound, emphasizing their growth and the bond formed between them.

After passing through, they find themselves back in the present, but changed. Sarah's relationship with her mother, portrayed by Lily Rabe, is shown to have healed, reflecting reconciliation. David's personal struggles, hinted at throughout the film, are resolved as he embraces a hopeful outlook.

The film closes with Sarah and David standing side by side, no longer strangers but companions on a shared journey. Their expressions convey a mix of relief, hope, and anticipation for what lies ahead, suggesting that their lives are now intertwined in a meaningful way.

Thus, the fate of the main characters at the story's end is one of renewal: Sarah and David have both confronted their pasts, altered their perspectives, and are poised to move forward together, symbolizing the film's themes of connection, transformation, and the power of choice.

Is there a post-credit scene?

There is no available information from the current search results indicating that the movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) has a post-credit scene. None of the official trailers, news articles, or official websites mention or describe any post-credit scenes for this film.

If a post-credit scene exists, it has not been publicly disclosed or documented as of now.

How do Sarah and David meet in the movie?

Sarah and David meet at a mutual friend's wedding, where they are both attending solo. This chance encounter sets the stage for their adventure together.

What role does the GPS play in their journey?

The GPS in David's older model car plays a significant role by suggesting a 'big' journey, which leads them to embark on a fantastical adventure. However, specific details about how it functions in the plot are not fully disclosed.

What kind of moments from their past do Sarah and David revisit?

Sarah and David get to re-live defining moments from their past. These moments are crucial in understanding how they arrived at their current state and potentially offer them a chance to alter their futures.

How does Sarah's mother fit into the story?

Lily Rabe plays the role of Sarah's mother, but specific details about her character's involvement in the plot are not provided in the available information.

What is the nature of the doorway they use to revisit their past?

The movie involves a doorway that allows Sarah and David to walk through and re-live important moments from their past. However, the exact nature or origin of this doorway is not detailed in the available descriptions.

Is this family friendly?

The movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) is rated R, indicating it is not family-friendly for children. It contains content that may be inappropriate or upsetting for younger or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Mature themes related to relationships and personal pasts, as the story involves revisiting and possibly altering significant life moments.
  • The R rating suggests there may be strong language, adult situations, or other mature content typical of dramas and romances aimed at adult audiences.
  • No detailed parental guide or specific scene warnings are publicly available yet, but the rating itself signals caution for children and sensitive viewers.

In summary, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is intended for mature audiences and may include scenes or themes unsuitable for children or those sensitive to adult content.