A Hole in the Head

A Hole in the Head

Year: 2018

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Polish

Director: Piotr Subbotko

Drama

Following a humiliating stage performance, a disheartened Polish actor abandons his acting troupe and returns home. There, he discovers his dying mother has hired a farmhand from a mental institution to take his place. Feeling alienated and deeply depressed, he becomes determined to drive out his replacement and reclaim his former role in the family. The situation spirals into a darkly comedic and unsettling confrontation as he struggles to find his place.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen A Hole in the Head yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – A Hole in the Head (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Hole in the Head (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Miami, New York

The action centers on Miami, Florida, where Tony runs the Garden of Eden hotel and chases wealth under the sun-drenched skyline. The story also branches back to New York, reflecting his past and family ties that influence present choices. The setting contrasts tropical confidence with urban ambition, underscoring the pressure to succeed at any cost.

🏝️ Beach setting 💼 Wealth pursuit 🏙️ City life

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:35

Main Characters – A Hole in the Head (2018)

Meet the key characters of A Hole in the Head (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tony Manetta

A charming but reckless impresario who moved from New York to Miami with friends in search of wealth. He lives beyond his means, indebted and unready to accept responsibility, while relentlessly pursuing his dreams. He is a widowed father to his 11-year-old son Ally, and his schemes strain his relationships with family and friends.

💼 Dreamer 💰 Debt 👨‍👦 Father

Ally Manetta

Tony's 11-year-old son, caught in the crossfire of his father's debt and dreams. Ally is loyal and perceptive, drawn to Eloise and hoping for stability amid the chaos. He showcases a child’s hopeful resilience even as his father teeters on the edge of financial ruin.

👦 Kid ❤️ Family 🕊️ Innocence

Eloise Rogers

A widow who has lost her husband and son, Eloise forms a tentative bond with Tony as a potential partner who needs him. She seeks companionship and mutual support, revealing a desire for connection after loss.

💔 Widow 💞 Companionship

Mario Manetta

Tony's older brother, a practical businessman who owns a clothing store and funds Tony's ventures reluctantly. He acts as a voice of reason and imposes limits, forcing Tony to confront the gap between fantasy and feasible plans.

💼 Family 🏛️ Responsibility

Jerry Marks

Tony's old friend and promoter who exposes Tony's desperation and tests his willingness to risk everything. Their dynamic underscores the precarious balance between old alliances and new ambitions.

🎲 Gambler 🗣️ Influence

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:35

Major Themes – A Hole in the Head (2018)

Explore the central themes of A Hole in the Head (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💸 Ambition

Tony's relentless dream of wealth and expansion drives much of the plot, pushing him to take risky loans and grandiose bets. His vision of owning bigger hotels and a second Disneyland in Florida collides with his mounting debt and dwindling resources. The pursuit reveals a pattern of evasive honesty and social showmanship, masking deeper insecurity. The consequences of chasing status begin to test loyalties and threaten the stability of his family.

👪 Family

Family loyalty and obligation pull against Tony's self-centered schemes. Ally's presence grounds him, while Mario's intervention exposes the tension between responsibility and generosity. Eloise's entrance adds another layer to familial dynamics as Tony navigates affection and obligation.

🃏 Deception

Tony's willingness to lie about his finances reveals how far he will go to maintain appearances. Social pretenses and party bravado mask insecurity, highlighting the gulf between outward prosperity and inner reality. The film uses these deceptions to explore the hollow nature of wealth.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:35

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bleak homecoming dramas like A Hole in the Head

Stories of failed protagonists returning to the places they tried to escape.For viewers who appreciated the melancholic return in 'A Hole in the Head', this list features movies about characters confronting their past and failed ambitions upon coming home. Discover similar dramas where financial struggles and family dynamics create a deeply introspective and somber atmosphere.

melancholicalienationfamily tensionintrospectivesomberfailed dreamsquiet desperation

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist forced to return to a place they left behind, often due to failure. They are met with a changed family structure or a new rival who embodies the stability they lack. The core conflict is an internal and external struggle to reclaim a sense of belonging, culminating in a confrontation that is more psychologically unsettling than physically violent, and often ends on a bittersweet note of resigned acceptance.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the emotional devastation of homecoming under failure. They possess a consistently melancholic tone, steady pacing that allows for character introspection, and a medium intensity born from familial tension and existential dread rather than overt action.

Character studies of quiet desperation like A Hole in the Head

Slow-burn portraits of ordinary people buckling under life's pressures.If you liked the atmospheric and introspective feel of 'A Hole in the Head', explore these movies that delve into the quiet desperation of everyday life. This selection features medium-intensity dramas with a steady pace, focusing on characters grappling with financial struggle and a crumbling sense of self.

desperateatmosphericintrospectivemidlife crisisfinancial struggleidentity crisissomberanxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative is less about external plot twists and more about the gradual unraveling of a protagonist's spirit. The story unfolds through a series of small, consequential defeats and humiliations, building a portrait of a person being worn down by their circumstances. The central journey is an emotional and psychological one, leading to a climax that is often a confrontation with their own inadequacies or a resigned acceptance of a diminished future.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their immersive, character-first approach to depicting desperation. They share a melancholic tone, a steady pacing that builds emotional resonance, and a medium intensity that keeps the viewer engaged in the protagonist's internal struggle without being overwhelming.

Unlock the Full Story of A Hole in the Head

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Hole in the Head in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Hole in the Head is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Hole in the Head Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Hole in the Head, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Hole in the Head Summary

A Hole in the Head Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Hole in the Head with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Hole in the Head Timeline

A Hole in the Head Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Hole in the Head that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

A Hole in the Head Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Hole in the Head

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Hole in the Head: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Hole in the Head