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

A child pitches himself as a replacement for couples’ problems, but threatens to wish death on anyone who does not choose him.

Scene 45 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Child
David

Act oneAct two

Begins 36 min into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 45

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.
Scene 25
David loads a tranquilliser gun and joins the hotel’s hunt, entering its violent courtship system.
Just before
Scene 42
Limping Man fakes a nosebleed to attract Nosebleed Woman, who recognizes the shared trait.
Scene 43
Limping Man admits he is faking the nosebleeds so he can escape with Nosebleed Woman; he says goodbye and stains David’s shirt with blood.
Scene 44
The Hotel Manager formalizes Limping Man and Nosebleed Woman as a couple and warns that staff may assign them children if they fight.
Scene 45
This scene

45EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE - AFTERNOON

David, Nosebleed Woman, her Best Friend and Limping Man are looking at some children locked behind some railings in a large enclosure. They all wear identical clothes, tracksuits. Most of them are playing. One of the children comes up to them.

CHILD

Hello. My parents split up two

years ago. They are both animals

now. I’m ten years old. I’m very

good at algebra and even better at

geometry. If you choose me, I’m

100% sure you won’t be

disappointed. I’m seriously

thinking of going to study at the

university. Come closer.

Limping Man goes closer. The child strokes Limping Man’s cheek and hair.

CHILD (CONT’D)

I love you so much, daddy. Don’t be

sad, daddy, everything will be

fine, you’ll see. I love you so

much. You’re so strong, stronger

than any of my classmates’ dads.

Here you are, daddy, here’s that

cold beer you asked for.

David, Nosebleed Woman, her Best Friend and Limping Man leave. The child can be heard from afar.

CHILD (CONT’D)

Look, daddy, I can ride my bike

with no hands. If you don’t pick me

I hope you die alone and that they

find your body days after you die.

DAVID

I’m sure you won’t need a child.

You’ll get on just fine.