Where'd You Go, Bernadette

A 2019 American comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater, based on Maria Semple's novel of the same name. The film follows Bernadette Fox (Cate Blanchett), a talented architect suffering from agoraphobia, living in Seattle with her husband Elgie Branch (Billy Crudup) and their 15-year-old daughter Bee (Emma Nelson). After her award-winning house was demolished, Bernadette becomes depressed and reclusive, avoiding social interactions, including with other parents at Bee's school and especially their neighbor Audrey Griffin (Kristen Wiig). Bee earns good grades and names her reward: Antarctica, with the whole family along. Her parents agree. As the trip approaches, Bernadette's behavior becomes increasingly erratic: she considers using various prescription drugs to manage her anxiety and insomnia. Audrey insists that Bernadette remove an invasive blackberry plant from the hillside above her house, leading to conflict between them. The situation escalates when Bernadette disappears without a trace, prompting Elgie and Bee to search for her, uncovering hidden aspects of her life and trying to understand the reasons behind her disappearance. The film explores themes of family, personal identity, and self-fulfillment, illustrating how past traumas and unfulfilled ambitions can impact the present.