Queen of Earth

Queen of Earth is a 2015 American psychological thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Katherine Waterston and Patrick Fugit. Plot Catherine is in the midst of a breakup with her boyfriend, James, who is leaving her for another woman. Catherine's father, a renowned artist, has recently died by suicide after a history of depression. Knowing of Catherine's grief, her lifelong friend Virginia invites her to spend a week at her parents' cabin. The visit is intercut with scenes of Catherine's stay the previous year, when Virginia had been the one needing emotional support, and was disappointed when Catherine brought along James, who Virginia hated, and drew focus away from their friendship. Catherine is upset when Virginia invites Rich, a neighbor, to join them at the cabin. Virginia criticizes Catherine for having had unhealthy and codependent relationships with James and her father, and for choosing to live as her father's administrative support instead of attempting her own artistic career. Catherine derides Virginia for her aimless, unemployed lifestyle. Despite their arguments, Virginia assures Catherine that she truly cares about her and wants to see her heal. Catherine begins drawing a portrait of Virginia as the two spend their evenings discussing their personal relationships. Catherine's mental health gradually deteriorates during her stay. She has a strange encounter with a neighbor who warns her that Virginia's parents are bad people; she has difficulty sleeping and eating, and is increasingly paranoid over Rich's presence, believing he is driving a wedge between her and Virginia. As Virginia becomes concerned over Catherine's well-being, Catherine worries that they think she is crazy. After Catherine has a disturbed reaction to Rich's observation that she had been talking to herself the night before, Virginia remarks that she is finally seeing Catherine for the first time: she had initially thought Catherine was perfect, but now realizes that she surrounded herself with men to protect her weak and fragile sense of self. Catherine muses that she feels she no longer exists, and that the only two people who cared about her are gone. Virginia insists that she also cares about Catherine, which Catherine casually denies.