"Therese" (Rooney Mara) feels stuck in a job at a department store, surrounded by people who seem much more vibrant than she is, especially "Carol" (Cate Blanchett). Their initial encounter creates an undeniable connection that rapidly consumes their lives as the narrative progresses and they become increasingly reliant on one another. Carol’s marriage to “Harge” (Kyle Chandler) is crumbling in divorce proceedings, with their daughter becoming a significant factor in the legal battle. Meanwhile, "Therese" is involved with "Richard" (Jake Lacy), who desires commitment and marriage—so both women have much at stake as their relationship deepens. “Harge” has included a morality clause in his proposed custody agreement and isn't hesitant to use manipulative tactics to gather evidence against Carol, attempting to demonstrate her unsuitability for access to their child. The close friendship between "Carol" and her confidante "Abby" (Sarah Paulson) also plays a role, and as the tangled web of their lives unfolds, they all risk losing everything. It's presented as a romance, but it avoids excessive sentimentality; instead, it’s a raw portrayal of love where one connection struggles to dominate both heart and mind. Mara carries much of the emotional weight, her character appearing more realistically conflicted, although Blanchett performs admirably as a mother increasingly trapped by circumstances beyond her control. The film is visually appealing, with impressive production design and Carter Burwell's period score enhancing the story’s complex characters and situations. It might be slightly too reliant on dialogue—there's quite a bit of talking—but that doesn't detract significantly from its quality; it remains an elegant cinematic work.

Source on TMDB