Nearly a decade after their bittersweet reunion, Carol Aird and Therese Belivet have built separate lives—Carol runs a successful art gallery in New York, and Therese is an established photojournalist traveling the world. A chance encounter at an art event in Paris brings them face to face again. The spark is undeniable, but time, wounds, and distance have made them wary of reigniting old flames.
As they cautiously reconnect, memories of the struggles they once endured resurface—Carol’s fight for custody, Therese’s longing for freedom, and the constant societal scrutiny. Their reunion isn’t just romantic; it’s a reckoning. Both women must confront who they’ve become and whether they can reconcile the past with the present.
Set against the backdrop of the early 1970s, the world around them is changing. The LGBTQ+ rights movement is gaining momentum, but not fast enough. Therese is drawn into activism through her photography, while Carol finds herself mentoring younger queer artists. Their paths intersect and diverge as they struggle with personal ambitions and political ideals.
As pressure mounts from society and from within, both women must make painful choices. Therese is offered a career-defining opportunity abroad, while Carol is forced to protect her gallery—and her legacy—from public scandal. The question arises: can love survive when it demands sacrifice?
In the end, Carol 2 is not about dramatic declarations, but about quiet bravery. Carol and Therese, older and wiser, must decide what love means to them now. Their story unfolds with subtlety and grace, revealing that true connection may not always look like it did before—but it can still endure. The final scene leaves viewers with a lingering, tender hope.