Girl, Interrupted is a psychological drama directed by James Mangold and adapted from Susanna Kaysen’s memoir of the same name. The film blends a sharp emotional tone with raw, character-driven storytelling, exploring mental illness, identity, and female friendship inside a 1960s psychiatric hospital.
Detailed Summary
Susanna’s Suicide Attempt and Hospitalization
The film opens with Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder) narrating her suicide attempt after mixing aspirin with vodka. Though she claims it wasn’t a serious attempt, her parents and a psychiatrist decide she needs institutional care. She’s admitted to Claymoore Hospital, a psychiatric facility filled with a range of patients coping with different disorders.
Meeting Lisa and the Other Patients
Susanna encounters several memorable women on her ward, including:
- Lisa (Angelina Jolie): a charming but dangerous sociopath who frequently escapes.
- Georgina (Clea DuVall): Susanna’s roommate and a compulsive liar.
- Daisy (Brittany Murphy): dealing with bulimia and severe trauma.
- Polly (Elisabeth Moss): a burn victim struggling with schizophrenia.
Lisa quickly becomes the gravitational force in Susanna’s life, pushing her to challenge authority, medication, and even her own diagnosis.
Susanna’s Diagnosis: Borderline Personality Disorder
Susanna eventually learns that she has Borderline Personality Disorder, something she initially rejects. The film uses her relationships with the other girls to highlight the blurred lines between mental illness and the emotional turbulence of adolescence.
The Escape and Daisy’s Tragedy
One of the most intense sequences occurs when Susanna and Lisa escape the hospital and hide out at Daisy’s apartment. Daisy, who has experienced years of sexual abuse from her father, falls into despair. Lisa cruelly taunts her, pushing Daisy over the emotional edge. Daisy dies by suicide, shocking Susanna into realizing the destructive power of Lisa’s manipulation.
Return to Claymoore and Self-Reflection
Back at Claymoore, Susanna begins taking therapy seriously. She writes in her journal, engages in conversations with her psychiatrist Dr. Wick, and starts to see how her emotional instability affects her life and relationships. At the same time, Lisa becomes increasingly hostile as she feels Susanna drifting away from her influence.
Movie Ending
The ending of Girl, Interrupted centers on Susanna’s confrontation with both her illness and Lisa’s manipulative behavior. During a tense sequence, Lisa steals Susanna’s journal and publicly reads her most private thoughts to the other patients. Instead of breaking down, Susanna calmly confronts her, stating that Lisa is actually more afraid and lost than she appears.
Lisa’s façade shatters in the basement scene, where she has a violent emotional collapse. For the first time, Susanna cares for her not as a dangerous rebel idol, but as a fellow patient in pain. This moment represents Susanna’s shift: she stops romanticizing Lisa’s chaos and embraces her own healing.
Shortly after, Susanna is approved for release. She says goodbye to her friends, including Lisa, who gives her a curt but revealing farewell. Susanna returns to life outside the hospital, acknowledging that recovery is a journey rather than a destination. The ending emphasizes hope, growth, and the power of self-awareness, while remaining honest about the lifelong nature of mental health struggles.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes in Girl, Interrupted. The story concludes definitively with Susanna’s release and final narration.
Type of Movie
A psychological drama with biographical elements. It focuses on mental health, personal identity, and the emotional turbulence of young adulthood.
Cast
- Winona Ryder – Susanna Kaysen
- Angelina Jolie – Lisa Rowe
- Brittany Murphy – Daisy Randone
- Clea DuVall – Georgina Tuskin
- Elisabeth Moss – Polly
- Whoopi Goldberg – Valerie (Head Nurse)
- Vanessa Redgrave – Dr. Wick
- Jared Leto – Toby
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Mychael Danna, with a soundtrack blending 1960s hits to match the film’s era, mood, and rebellious undertones.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
The film was mainly shot in:
- Harrisburg State Hospital, Pennsylvania – served as Claymoore. Its authentic, maze-like interior adds realism and claustrophobia.
- Additional scenes in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
These practical locations enhance the film’s grounded tone and contribute to its unsettling psychological authenticity.
Awards and Nominations
- Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- She also won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for the role.
- The film received praise for performances, though it was not widely nominated in major categories beyond Jolie’s awards sweep.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Angelina Jolie insisted on staying in character and avoiding cast interactions so Lisa could feel more intimidating.
- Winona Ryder produced the film after fighting for years to adapt the memoir.
- Brittany Murphy improvised several of Daisy’s most emotional moments.
- Filming at an old mental institution created an eerie environment; some actors reported feeling claustrophobic.
- Director James Mangold encouraged the actresses to journal as their characters to deepen emotional authenticity.
Inspirations and References
The movie is adapted from Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, which details her real experiences in a psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s.
The story also explores themes from feminist literature of the era, touching on how women’s mental health was often misunderstood or dismissed.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely known alternate endings, but some deleted scenes include:
- Extended interactions between Susanna and her parents.
- A more detailed look at Polly’s past.
- Longer exchanges with Daisy that hinted at deeper trauma but were cut for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- The book is more introspective, with Susanna analyzing her diagnosis, therapy, and institutionalization.
- The film increases conflict, especially with Lisa, to create a stronger narrative.
- Daisy’s story is expanded for dramatic impact.
- The memoir has a more fragmented, observational structure, while the film is more linear and emotional.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Susanna’s first therapy session where she hears her diagnosis.
- Lisa returning to Claymoore after an escape, immediately causing chaos.
- Daisy’s tragic final sequence.
- The confrontation in the basement where Susanna challenges Lisa’s power over her.
- Susanna’s final walk out of Claymoore.
Iconic Quotes
- “Maybe I was just crazy.” – Susanna
- “You’re dead already, Daisy. You just don’t know it.” – Lisa
- “Crazy isn’t being broken. It’s being able to be everything you can be.” – Susanna
- “If I’m dead, why do I have to die again?” – Polly
- “Take charge of your life.” – Valerie
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The real Susanna Kaysen appears briefly as a background patient.
- Claymoore’s interior is intentionally labyrinth-like to reflect mental confusion.
- Several scenes mirror passages directly from the memoir’s original text.
- The hospital’s layout subtly changes to reflect Susanna’s mental state.
Trivia
- Angelina Jolie didn’t read the full script, wanting Lisa to feel unpredictable even to her.
- Winona Ryder said the story was personally meaningful because of her own past struggles with mental health.
- The film’s original working title was simply Claymoore.
- Many extras were former psychiatric patients or staff who advised on realism.
Why Watch?
Watch this movie for:
- Powerful performances (Angelina Jolie is unforgettable)
- A raw and honest portrayal of mental health
- Emotional depth without cliché
- A story that balances darkness, humor, and humanity
- One of the most memorable character dynamics in 90s cinema
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
- Black Swan (2010)
- The Virgin Suicides (1999)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- 28 Days (2000)
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
