Lonely Planet Explained: Netflix’s Tale of Love, Loss and Self Discovery
In the ever-evolving world of streaming platforms, Netflix has added another romance drama to its collection, “Lonely Planet,” which mirrors Amazon Prime Video’s “The Idea of You” in certain respects. While the films are entirely different in their storylines, they both explore the compelling dynamic of a younger man falling for an older woman. “Lonely Planet” revolves around Katherine, a novelist who has just ended a long-term relationship and heads to Morocco on a writer’s retreat. What starts as an attempt to escape her life and rekindle her creativity turns into an unexpected romantic entanglement with a younger man, Owen.
As the narrative unfolds, Katherine must face her inner struggles, writer’s block, and a romance she wasn’t expecting. Let’s dive into the twists and turns of this romantic drama and see where the journey leads Katherine and Owen.
Who Is Owen, and What’s His Role in Katherine’s Journey?
Owen is introduced at the retreat in Morocco, where Katherine hopes to find solace and inspiration for her writing. He’s a finance professional struggling with his own career dilemmas. At first glance, Owen seems like an unlikely companion for Katherine, who is at a very different stage in life. He is there with his girlfriend, Lily, who has just completed her first novel and is eager for Owen’s company.
Their first interaction occurs when Katherine, after a night of drinking, stumbles upon Owen trying to make a phone call. From there, a chance encounter grows into something deeper, though initially unintentional. They spend time together, wandering through the city, bonding over Katherine’s misplaced luggage, and sharing an authentic Moroccan experience when their vehicle breaks down. This seemingly spontaneous connection between them ignites the spark for a relationship that both complicates and complements their lives.
Owen and Lily’s Rocky Relationship
It’s clear from the start that Owen’s relationship with Lily is far from perfect. Lily is ambitious, driven by her newfound success as a writer, but her treatment of Owen is less than respectful. She frequently mocks him in front of the other retreat attendees, undermining him with passive-aggressive comments. Despite their relationship, there’s an emotional disconnect between them that becomes more apparent as the story progresses.
The tension between Owen and Lily only heightens when Katherine enters the picture. Owen, feeling increasingly alienated from Lily, gravitates towards Katherine. It doesn’t help that Lily, ironically, is a fan of Katherine’s writing, leading to some awkward and uncomfortable moments when they interact. Eventually, the truth surfaces Lily has been unfaithful, adding another layer of betrayal and emotional turmoil to the mix.
Why Owen and Lily Break Up: A Relationship in Decline
Owen and Lily’s relationship slowly unravels over the course of the film. The moment that solidifies their downfall is during a group game when Lily publicly humiliates Owen, belittling him in front of the others. Katherine steps in to comfort him, and it’s in this moment that Owen realizes just how toxic his relationship with Lily has become.
But the real nail in the coffin comes when Owen discovers a text from Rafih, another writer at the retreat, on Lily’s phone. The message leaves no room for doubt Lily has been cheating on Owen with Rafih, further eroding any chance of salvaging their relationship. This discovery frees Owen from the emotional baggage of his toxic relationship and allows him to pursue a genuine connection with Katherine.
Do Katherine and Owen End Up Together?
The romance between Katherine and Owen is both inevitable and complicated. Despite their growing feelings for each other, their relationship hits several bumps. One of the most pivotal moments in their dynamic occurs after a day spent together, during which they finally confront the sexual tension that has been simmering between them. However, Katherine, in a moment of vulnerability, calls Owen a “kid,” causing him to retreat, feeling insulted and misunderstood.
Yet, this setback isn’t the end of their romance. With Lily out of the picture, Owen finally confesses his feelings to Katherine and asks her to leave the retreat with him. Katherine agrees, and for a brief period, it seems like they’re going to make it work. However, their bliss is short-lived. A tragic turn of events shatters their happiness when Katherine’s laptop, containing her entire novel, is stolen. Devastated, she lashes out at Owen, calling him a distraction and abruptly ending their relationship.
Several months later, Katherine’s book is published, and while she dedicates it to Owen, she hasn’t spoken to him since their breakup. But fate intervenes when the two cross paths again, this time in New York. Katherine, finally ready to face her mistakes, apologizes to Owen for how she treated him, and they reconcile, leaving viewers with a hopeful, albeit rushed, ending to their love story.
Katherine’s Transformation: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Katherine’s character arc is deeply tied to her personal and professional struggles. After a 14-year relationship that leaves her emotionally drained, Katherine is lost. The retreat in Morocco represents her attempt to reset, to find a new direction in life. However, instead of simply rediscovering her passion for writing, she also discovers parts of herself that she had long buried.
Her relationship with Owen, while complicated by their age difference, helps her confront her fears of intimacy and vulnerability. Katherine’s growth is evident not just in her ability to finally finish her novel but in her willingness to open up emotionally, something she has struggled with for years.
The Significance of Katherine’s New Book: “The Swing Route”
After the devastating loss of her laptop and all her work, Katherine starts from scratch. Her new book, titled “The Swing Route,” is inspired by something Owen told her an offensive play in football that symbolizes “finding hope in a big mess.” This metaphor perfectly captures Katherine’s journey throughout the film. She is someone who, for much of the story, feels trapped in a chaotic life, unsure of where to go or how to move forward. But by the end, she learns to embrace the mess, finding hope and clarity in the process.
Owen’s Struggle with Morality: A Man at a Crossroads
Owen’s journey is equally compelling. While Katherine’s struggles are primarily emotional, Owen faces a moral dilemma in his professional life. As a finance professional, he is involved in a deal that would benefit him and his company financially, but at the expense of a landowner who wants to retain management of his property.
Unlike his colleagues, who view the deal as purely business, Owen feels a deep sense of responsibility towards the landowner, leading him to sabotage the deal and, ultimately, quit his job. This decision is symbolic of Owen’s own journey towards self-fulfillment. He is no longer willing to compromise his values for the sake of success, and like Katherine, he is searching for something more meaningful in life.
Will There Be a Sequel to “Lonely Planet”?
While the chemistry between Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth is undeniable, the story of “Lonely Planet” feels resolved by the end of the film. Both Katherine and Owen have undergone significant personal growth, and their reunion in New York suggests a hopeful future for their relationship. A sequel is unlikely, as the film’s ending wraps up the main plotlines and leaves both characters in a place of emotional clarity.
FAQs about “Lonely Planet”
1. What is “Lonely Planet” about? “Lonely Planet” is a romantic drama about Katherine, a novelist recovering from a long-term relationship, and Owen, a finance professional. The two meet at a writer’s retreat in Morocco, where they develop a romantic connection despite the challenges posed by their personal baggage and the difference in their ages.
2. Do Katherine and Owen end up together? Yes, despite the ups and downs in their relationship, Katherine and Owen reconcile at the end of the film and decide to give their romance a real shot.
3. What happens to Owen’s girlfriend, Lily? Lily cheats on Owen with another writer at the retreat. Their relationship falls apart, and Owen breaks up with her, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Katherine.
4. What is the significance of Katherine’s new book, “The Swing Route”? “The Swing Route” is a metaphor for finding hope in the midst of chaos. It reflects Katherine’s personal journey of overcoming emotional struggles and rediscovering her passion for writing.
5. Does Owen quit his job? Yes, Owen quits his morally conflicting finance job after realizing that it doesn’t align with his values. This decision marks a turning point in his personal journey towards self-fulfillment.
6. Will there be a sequel to “Lonely Planet”? A sequel seems unlikely, as the story of “Lonely Planet” concludes with a sense of resolution for both Katherine and Owen’s characters.
