A Day at the Beach

Set in a rainy seaside town, the story unfolds along the beach, a station, and a cluster of shops and cafés. The setting's gray skies and persistent drizzle mirror the film's bleak mood. The area is populated by working-class characters whose lives orbit around Bernie's self-destructive patterns.

🍺 Addiction

Bernie's drinking drives most of the film's actions, shaping his decisions and eroding trust. Each urge for another drink leads to minor thefts, excuses, and neglect of Winnie. The narrative uses addiction to critique how dependency can undermine family life. Ultimately, the addiction-collapse tragedy underscores the film's somber tone.

🌧️ Loneliness

Winnie is repeatedly left to cope with the absence of reliable care as Bernie pursues alcohol. The rainy seascape intensifies a sense of isolation around her. The film uses weather and setting to reflect the emotional fragility of a child caught in a fractured family. Her loneliness anchors the film's emotional core.

💔 Family Dysfunction

Bernie's neglect and drinking strain the bond between parent and child, while Melissa's fragile family dynamics add tension. The ex-wife's remarriage to Carl reveals a fragile balance of care and duty. The seaside encounters become a backdrop for conflict, manipulation, and emotional hurt that culminates in tragedy.