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

David wrestles his trousers off around the belt and frees one leg after considerable effort.

Scene 17 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 14 min into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 17

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.
Just before
Scene 14
Biscuit Woman calls from Room 180 to invite David over; he politely ends the call and stares at the phone.
Scene 15
The Hotel Manager explains that David may become an animal, and he chooses a lobster before staff cuff his hand behind his back.
Scene 16
David struggles to manage toothpaste and brush his teeth while his hand remains cuffed behind him.
Scene 17
This scene

17INT. ROOM 101 - NIGHT

David stands beside his bed. He tries to pull off his trousers with the belt still on in order to free his hand. He struggles. He lies down, sucks in his belly and pushes his trousers down. After much effort, he manages to free one leg.