Category: Drama

The film unfolds across centuries and generations, telling the story in chronological order.

It begins with a piece of land in a colonial town, which, over time, transforms into a house. Through the centuries, we follow several couples who move into this house, raising families, with the focus mainly on the living room, the heart of the home. The land itself is first shown in prehistoric times, just as the meteor that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs strikes the earth.

Among the earliest to inhabit the land is an indigenous couple, a man and a woman (played by Joel Oulette and Dannie McCallum). They fall deeply in love and eventually have a child together. As they grow old, the woman passes away before her partner. Grieving her loss, the man is visited by a hummingbird, which seems to represent his wife returning to him in a new form.

Colonial Times
During the time of Benjamin Franklin (Keith Bartlett), a brief glimpse is given of his life and family. His sons, however, are not impressed with his work and don’t believe he will be remembered in history. Eventually, a house is built on the land, overlooking one of the colonial buildings that remain as time moves forward.

The Harters
In the early 20th century, John and Pauline Harter (Gwilym Lee and Michelle Dockery) move into the house. John, a pilot, loves flying, but Pauline is concerned for his safety and fears he might get hurt. They eventually have a daughter, but Pauline’s anger flares when John takes her on a plane ride. Tragedy strikes when John passes away, initially thought to be in a plane crash, but at his funeral, it’s revealed he died from influenza. Pauline and their daughter later leave the house.

The Beekmans
In the early 1940s, Leo and Stella Beekman (David Fynn and Ophelia Lovibond) move into the house. Leo, an inventor, is working on a reclining chair and other furniture he calls the “Relaxy Boy.” His business thrives, later being renamed “La-Z-Boy.” As the television industry booms, an investor approaches Leo and Stella, suggesting that his furniture would be the perfect match for the new medium. When asked about their relationship, Leo jokes that he “just followed” Stella home, and somehow, that led to their romance.

The Young Family
After World War II, Al and Rose Young (Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly) settle into the house. Al struggles with PTSD, hearing loss, and alcoholism. Together, they have three children—Ricky (Finn Guegan, later Callum Macreadie), Elizabeth (Beau Gadsdon, later Lauren McQueen), and Jimmy (Albie Salter, later Harry Marcus).

Ricky Becomes Richard
In the 1970s, Ricky, now going by Richard (Tom Hanks), brings his girlfriend, Margaret (Robin Wright), home to introduce to his family. The two form a deep, loving relationship, but at 18, Richard gets Margaret pregnant. While Al scolds Richard, Rose is thrilled by the news. In a simple ceremony, Richard and Margaret marry in the living room.

The Young Family Grows
Richard and Margaret become parents to a daughter, Vanessa (Faith Delaney, later Zsa Zsa Zemeckis). Meanwhile, Jimmy causes a stir when he announces his plans to enlist in the Navy. Al and Rose have their friends, Ted and Virginia (Tony Way and Jemima Rooper), over for a visit. Ted suffers a heart attack and collapses, and Rose later learns that he passed away at the hospital. She joins Al in comforting Virginia. Rose is also visited by Earl Higgins (Jonathan Aris) and his students, Todd and Lisa (Louis Suc and Eloise Webb), who inform her that their house is now a historical site.

Challenges and Changes
Around Christmas, Rose suffers a stroke, leaving her paralyzed on one side and wheelchair-bound. Al, sober now, decides to quit drinking and begins planning to move to Florida, intending to leave the house to Richard and Margaret. However, Margaret doesn’t want to stay in the house and prefers building a life of their own. Richard had already made plans to design a new home for them. Rose and Margaret are later visited by Earl, Todd, and Lisa again, and they uncover a necklace that once belonged to the indigenous woman. Eventually, Al and Rose leave the house.

Vanessa’s Future and Family Struggles
By the early 2000s, Vanessa is off to college and preparing for law school. Margaret is surprised by Richard and their friends and family for her 50th birthday. She starts to make a speech but gets emotional, realizing she has put off dreams of traveling, like going to Paris, because of the sacrifices she made for her family. Rose passes away, and Al, after breaking his hip, moves back into Richard and Margaret’s home. By 2003, Richard and Margaret’s marriage is clearly falling apart. Margaret even hires a life coach to suggest they split up. Eventually, they have the difficult conversation and officially decide to part ways.

Al’s Dream and Margaret’s Journey
In his later years, Al has a vivid dream about Rose and seems to follow her into the afterlife. Margaret, ever supportive, consoles Richard, who has returned to painting, rediscovering a passion he once had. Margaret begins traveling, just as she had always dreamed, and even brings Vanessa along. Vanessa, now married to a man named David, is part of the new chapter in their family’s story.

One Thanksgiving, Richard invites Margaret over for dinner, and she agrees. They begin by sharing fortune cookies, and Margaret’s fortune reads that she will have a grand adventure—something she feels she’s already experienced. Richard’s fortune, however, states that “an old love will return,” which he knows isn’t true. In a bittersweet moment, Richard tells Margaret that he is selling the house, and she supports his decision.

The Harris Family
By the 2010s, the house is sold to the Harris family—Devon (Nicholas Pinnock) and Helen (Nikki Amuka-Bird), along with their son, Justin (Cache Vanderpuye), and their housekeeper, Raquel (Anya Marco-Harris). As Justin grows up, his parents have the difficult task of teaching him how to behave if pulled over by the police, a lesson driven by the need for safety. Justin is eventually implied to go off to college, but the family’s time in the house takes a sad turn when Raquel becomes a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Devon and Helen mourn her loss, and eventually, the family moves out as well.

Epilogue: Full Circle
In their later years, Richard and Margaret return to the now-empty house. Margaret appears to be struggling with Alzheimer’s, and Richard sits by her side, gently reminding her of the memories they shared in the home. They laugh about the time they were caught having sex on the couch and the moment when Vanessa lost a ribbon and Margaret found it hidden in the couch. These small recollections spark something inside Margaret, and she grows emotional, deeply touched by the memories of her time in the house. The camera slowly pulls back, showing the house’s exterior, and as it zooms out further to reveal the street, a hummingbird flies overhead, a poignant reminder of the house’s long and storied history.