- Zoetrope is a love story about the one who got in the way. Anna, usually a loyal fiance, supports her lonely friend on her night of speed dating. After a wild night out with an unexpected date, Anna questions if her pending marriage is all it's cracked up to be.
- Anna accompanies her chaotic best friend, Chloe, on a girls' night out to a futuristic speed dating lounge. Anna texts her fiance that she will stay a bit late but promises to return by 10:30 pm. Meanwhile, the event host explains the innovative device that makes this new speed-dating age possible. The device adapts to the bar's environment to match the theme of the user's date. Anna, however, is too preoccupied with messaging her fiance to pay attention. Suddenly, a guy appears and whisks her away to a Casablanca-themed space, where she comes face-to-face with a charismatic bartender. Though she tries to avoid her, she can't help stealing a glance in her direction.
Afterward, Anna lingers at the bar, where she catches the eye of the charismatic bartender who challenges her lack of participation. Despite being engaged, Anna can't resist the flirtatious banter with the bartender. Amid the conversation, the bartender asks Anna how she would rate her among the other patrons after revealing Anna was her top choice. Teasingly, Anna replies with the lowest number she can think of... Ninety-nine
Anna pulls Chloe into a backroom, desperate to avoid her feelings for Ninety-Nine. Chloe encourages Anna to go for the new love interest, arguing that her current love doesn't make her happy. Anna rushes to leave. Chloe reminds her of the multiple times she ditched and abandoned their hangouts. Feeling guilty, Anna agrees to stay after one more date, hoping to make it up to her friend.
After the final round of dates, Ninety-Nine asks Anna to be her last date. She declines, but after some persuasion from Chloe, Anna agrees to a strict ten-minute date. That quickly takes a detour when it begins to storm-the two rush into a Uhaul to wait out the rain. With ten minutes well passed, Anna gets restless. Ninety-Nine cheers her up with an improvised story about the truck's previous owner. As the two share in their familiar banter, they almost share a kiss. It's averted when the Uhaul rumbles to life. It's shaking, flinging them into each other's arms. Trapped, they sit on the couch together, unsure of their next move.
Anna and Ninety-Nine return to the bar, laughing off the disaster date. Outside the lounge, Ninety-Nine stops and leans in for a departing kiss. Anna conflicted, leans in but ultimately pushes away Ninety-Nine's advance. She quickly exits into the lounge.
Upon returning inside, Anna's smile is shattered by the look of concern on Chloe's face. It further crumbles as her gaze lands on her fiance, Dakota. Without wasting time, he interrogates Anna about her whereabouts and why she isn't wearing her engagement ring. Anna can't tell Dakota the truth, so she keeps silent. Dakota storms off in a fit of anger and heartbreak.
We fast forward a year later to a museum, where Anna is searching through the galleries for someone. As she walks down the hallway, she catches sight of Dakota talking to an art dealer. Their eyes meet, and for a moment, the memories flood back. But before they can exchange a word, Ninety-Nine snaps her out of it. Ninety-Nine begs to leave the museum. Without hesitation, Anna agrees, and the two exit, leaving behind the past and all its painful memories. Anna has learned to let go and move on, leaving room for new beginnings and opportunities.
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