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

David watches Limping Man and Nosebleed Woman say goodbye to a released pony, then ignores a call from Biscuit Woman.

Scene 48 of 123 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Answering Machine

Act oneAct two

Begins 39 min into a 1:28 film

The story so farBefore scene 48

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 45
A child pitches himself as a replacement for couples’ problems, but threatens to wish death on anyone who does not choose him.
Scene 46
David compliments Nosebleed Woman’s Best Friend, but her blunt remarks about his hair leave him walking behind her.
Scene 47
Nosebleed Woman’s Best Friend reads a farewell letter, slaps her, and chooses to spend her final night watching a film alone.
Scene 48
This scene

48INT. ROOM 101 - DAY

David looks out of his room window. The Maid holds a pony by its reins. She opens the gate to the hotel grounds and sets the pony free. Nosebleed Woman and Limping Man hug in the hotel entrance and wave goodbye to the pony. The pony doesn’t run off. It just stands there, swishing its beautiful tail. The room phone rings. The display reads 180. He doesn’t pick up.

ANSWERING MACHINE

Room 101. Please leave a message

after the tone.