Summary and Analysis of I Care a Lot (2020)
Directed by: J Blakeson
Genre: Dark comedy, crime thriller, satire
Setting: Modern-day America, primarily around a court system and elder care facilities
I Care a Lot follows Marla Grayson, a cunning legal guardian who exploits the U.S. court system by
targeting elderly individuals deemed unfit to care for themselves. Once appointed guardian, she
seizes their assets and isolates them in care homes, all under the guise of protection. Business is
booming until she picks the wrong target: Jennifer Peterson, a seemingly harmless older woman with
no family—who turns out to be connected to a powerful and dangerous Russian gangster, Roman
Lunyov. What begins as a confident scheme quickly spirals into a high-stakes power struggle
between two ruthless forces—Marla and Roman—where morality is murky, and survival is the
ultimate game.
Themes:
Corruption of Systems:
The film critiques how easily legal and healthcare systems can be manipulated. Marla doesn’t break
laws—she exploits them, showing how systemic flaws allow for predatory behavior under the guise of
legitimacy.
Greed and Power:
Marla isn’t driven by justice or care—she wants to be rich and powerful. Her ambition mirrors a
capitalist culture that rewards exploitation, especially when cloaked in professionalism.
Morality and Antiheroes:
Marla is a rare female antihero—calculating, composed, and unapologetically immoral. The film
complicates our sense of right and wrong by placing a criminal (Roman) in conflict with someone who
operates “legally” but unethically.
Gender and Power Dynamics:
Marla constantly battles to maintain dominance in a male-dominated world. She weaponizes her
image—poised, sharp, blonde—against stereotypes, using underestimation to her advantage. The
film explores how women in power are held to different standards than men, even when engaging in
the same morally bankrupt actions.
Motifs and Symbols:
The Vape Pen & Red Lipstick:
Marla’s constant vaping and bold lipstick symbolize control and defiance. They’re visual cues that
she’s always composed, always playing the part of someone in charge.
The Lemonade:
Jennifer’s sipping of lemonade in her care facility becomes a quiet act of resistance—she’s not as
helpless as she seems. It represents the veneer of sweetness hiding something deadly.
Legal Documents & Power of Attorney:
These symbolize how authority can be manufactured and misused. A simple signature can erase
someone’s autonomy—making paperwork a weapon.
Directed by: J Blakeson
Genre: Dark comedy, crime thriller, satire
Setting: Modern-day America, primarily around a court system and elder care facilities
I Care a Lot follows Marla Grayson, a cunning legal guardian who exploits the U.S. court system by
targeting elderly individuals deemed unfit to care for themselves. Once appointed guardian, she
seizes their assets and isolates them in care homes, all under the guise of protection. Business is
booming until she picks the wrong target: Jennifer Peterson, a seemingly harmless older woman with
no family—who turns out to be connected to a powerful and dangerous Russian gangster, Roman
Lunyov. What begins as a confident scheme quickly spirals into a high-stakes power struggle
between two ruthless forces—Marla and Roman—where morality is murky, and survival is the
ultimate game.
Themes:
Corruption of Systems:
The film critiques how easily legal and healthcare systems can be manipulated. Marla doesn’t break
laws—she exploits them, showing how systemic flaws allow for predatory behavior under the guise of
legitimacy.
Greed and Power:
Marla isn’t driven by justice or care—she wants to be rich and powerful. Her ambition mirrors a
capitalist culture that rewards exploitation, especially when cloaked in professionalism.
Morality and Antiheroes:
Marla is a rare female antihero—calculating, composed, and unapologetically immoral. The film
complicates our sense of right and wrong by placing a criminal (Roman) in conflict with someone who
operates “legally” but unethically.
Gender and Power Dynamics:
Marla constantly battles to maintain dominance in a male-dominated world. She weaponizes her
image—poised, sharp, blonde—against stereotypes, using underestimation to her advantage. The
film explores how women in power are held to different standards than men, even when engaging in
the same morally bankrupt actions.
Motifs and Symbols:
The Vape Pen & Red Lipstick:
Marla’s constant vaping and bold lipstick symbolize control and defiance. They’re visual cues that
she’s always composed, always playing the part of someone in charge.
The Lemonade:
Jennifer’s sipping of lemonade in her care facility becomes a quiet act of resistance—she’s not as
helpless as she seems. It represents the veneer of sweetness hiding something deadly.
Legal Documents & Power of Attorney:
These symbolize how authority can be manufactured and misused. A simple signature can erase
someone’s autonomy—making paperwork a weapon.
