The film opens with Bethany and Eli navigating a dense forest under the eerie glow of the summer solstice moon in 1990. They’re carrying the lifeless body of Lizzie, Bethany’s sister and Eli’s girlfriend, with a shared mission to bring her back to life. Their journey is driven by Bethany’s belief in a mystical ritual she discovered in an old folklore journal, claiming that Lizzie can be resurrected if the ritual is performed precisely at 2:53 AM during the solstice.

The film’s tone is somber and unsettling, amplified by the isolation of the woods and the weight of their task. As they walk, their conversations reveal the complexity of their relationships with Lizzie and each other. Bethany comes across as deeply entrenched in conspiracy theories, ranting about everything from fluoride in water to alien cover-ups. Her obsession with the occult and the resurrection ritual suggests she’s both the driving force and the most unhinged character in the group.

Through a mix of flashbacks and dialogue, we learn about Eli and Lizzie’s relationship. Eli first met Lizzie at a library, where she was crying over a copy of The Master and Margarita. Captivated by her vulnerability and enigmatic nature, Eli started dating her. However, Lizzie’s emotional struggles strained their relationship. She shared stories of a previous suicide attempt, though Bethany later reveals this was a fabrication. Eli, weighed down by his own inability to support Lizzie, eventually told her he couldn’t take care of her anymore. On the night of her death, Lizzie drove away calmly after saying, “I love you.” Her car crash showed no signs of an attempt to brake, hinting that her death was intentional.

The journey through the woods is fraught with tension and danger. They encounter a patrol officer with a dog and an ominous growling creature lurking nearby. These obstacles not only heighten the suspense but also expose the cracks in Eli and Bethany’s alliance. Their mutual distrust grows, and the conversation turns accusatory. Eli confesses his guilt and regret over the events leading up to Lizzie’s death, while Bethany reveals her own simmering resentment toward him.

As they near the location of the ritual, the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister. They come across ritualistic symbols etched into trees, which Bethany identifies as the mark of the “City of Mary,” a cult she read about in her folklore journal. The forest, already oppressive, feels alive with a malevolent presence. At this point, Bethany’s behavior becomes more erratic. She reveals she killed a wolf earlier in the night and collected its blood for the ritual.

The tension reaches a breaking point when they arrive at the ritual site, a clearing surrounded by cultists who appear out of the shadows. It becomes clear that Bethany is not just a follower of the occult but an active member of the cult. Eli, realizing he’s been deceived, tries to leave but is overpowered. Bethany reveals the final, horrifying twist: the resurrection ritual requires a human sacrifice, and Eli was always meant to fulfill that role.

Through flashbacks, we learn the disturbing truth about Lizzie and Bethany. Lizzie’s death was not the tragic accident Eli believed it to be. She orchestrated her suicide to align with the solstice, knowing Bethany would follow through with the ritual to bring her back. Their bond as sisters is revealed to be deeply toxic and rooted in the cult’s teachings. For them, resurrection is not just an act of love but a sinister cycle they’ve embraced.

Bethany performs the ritual, and Eli is sacrificed. His blood serves as the final component needed to bring Lizzie back. When Lizzie is resurrected, her initial reaction is anger. She chastises Bethany, saying, “I told you to let me go.” Her body shows physical signs of the ordeal, including damage from being dropped during the trek, but she is alive. Despite her anger, Lizzie and Bethany leave together, their bond stronger than ever.

Eli’s body is left behind, along with his notebook, a poignant reminder of his relationship with Lizzie. The notebook had been a symbol of their love, containing notes they had exchanged during their time together. Its abandonment alongside his lifeless body underscores the tragedy of his fate: he was merely a pawn in Lizzie and Bethany’s larger plan.

As the film ends, the sisters drive away as dawn breaks, leaving the forest and Eli’s body behind. The final moments reveal a chilling possibility: this may not have been the first time they’ve performed this ritual. The symbols, the cult’s presence, and the meticulous planning suggest they’ve done this before—and may do it again.

The ending leaves viewers with lingering questions. Was Lizzie’s relationship with Eli genuine, or was it always part of a calculated plan? How many others have they sacrificed in their pursuit of resurrection? And what does their willingness to manipulate and kill say about the lengths people will go for love, loyalty, or belief?

Themes and Analysis

At its core, Lizzie Lazarus explores the darker sides of love, grief, and obsession. The film delves into how far people are willing to go to hold onto those they’ve lost, even if it means crossing moral and ethical boundaries. It also examines the dynamics of toxic relationships—both romantic and familial.

Eli’s relationship with Lizzie is portrayed as one-sided and ultimately destructive. His idealization of her as a mysterious, vulnerable figure blinds him to the reality of her manipulative tendencies. Meanwhile, the bond between Lizzie and Bethany is portrayed as both deeply devoted and dangerously unbalanced. Bethany’s willingness to kill for Lizzie speaks to the power of their shared history and belief system, but it also reveals a chilling lack of regard for anyone outside their bond.

The film also questions the reliability of memory and perception. Through flashbacks, we see how Lizzie presented herself to Eli versus how Bethany remembers her. These conflicting accounts highlight the subjective nature of relationships and how people project their own desires and fears onto others.

Ultimately, Lizzie Lazarus is a haunting tale about sacrifice, control, and the cost of devotion. Its ending, while providing some answers, leaves much open to interpretation, ensuring the story lingers in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.

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