The Lobster · written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou · 2015

At the restaurant, David checks Shortsighted Woman’s face and body, orders a steak knife, and says he will do it with the knife.

Scene 121 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

David
Shortsighted Woman
Restaurant Waiter

Act oneAct two

Begins 1:26 into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 121

After his wife leaves him, David has 45 days to find a partner at a hotel or become an animal; he escapes, falls for a shortsighted loner, and must decide whether to surrender his sight so they can stay together.

Scenes 1–15
David moves from his broken home into the hotel, where couplehood is imposed as the norm.
Scenes 16–24
He must find a partner before the 45-day limit turns him into an animal.
Scenes 25–62
He participates in the hunt, attempts a false match, then escapes into the woods.
Scenes 63–84
He adapts to loner customs and cautiously begins a connection with Shortsighted Woman.
Scenes 85–100
They build a secret language and plan to leave the loner community together.
Scenes 101–118
The leader uses a promised operation to blind Shortsighted Woman and David retaliates to free her.
Just before
Scene 118
The bound leader lies in David’s shallow grave while dogs circle and she struggles to free herself.
Scene 119
David and Shortsighted Woman leave the woods in civilian clothes, but his suit is too tight and they keep walking.
Scene 120
They hide from the hotel coach on the road; she asks for a rabbit, while David insists they reach town without delay.
Scene 121
This scene

121INT. TOWN RESTAURANT - DAY

David and Shortsighted Woman sit at a table. There aren’t many people in the restaurant, just another couple sitting a few tables further back. In front of them are two glasses of water. They are silent.

DAVID

Profile.

Shortsighted Woman turns her head to the left, holds it there, then turns it to the right and holds it there.

DAVID (CONT’D)

Fingers.

Shortsighted Woman shows him her fingers. David looks at them carefully.

DAVID (CONT’D)

Elbows.

Shortsighted Woman pulls up her sleeves and shows him her elbows.

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

Would you like me to show you my

belly?

DAVID

No, I remember your belly very

well. Smile.

Shortsighted Woman smiles. She holds the smile for a long time. David signals to a RESTAURANT WAITER. The waiter comes to their table.

DAVID (CONT’D)

Can I have a knife and fork,

please? Not a butter knife. A steak

knife.

RESTAURANT WAITER

Certainly.

The waiter brings him a knife and fork wrapped in a napkin. David examines both pieces of cutlery. He takes the knife and wraps the fork back up in the napkin.

DAVID

I’m going to do it with a knife.

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

Do you want me to come with you?

DAVID

I’d rather you didn’t.

SHORTSIGHTED WOMAN

Don’t worry. It’s strange at first

but you get used to it. And your

other senses are heightened. Touch,

for example. Your hearing.

DAVID