Afterglow

Afterglow

Year: 1997

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

Director: Alan Rudolph

DramaComedyRomance

Contractor Lucky Mann discovers he's just as adept at mending fractured relationships as he is at construction. When Marianne, a woman feeling unfulfilled in her marriage, is drawn to Lucky’s appeal, it sets off a surprising sequence of events. Marianne’s husband, Jeffrey, becomes entangled in the developing situation, and Lucky’s wife, Phyllis, unexpectedly finds a renewed connection with Jeffrey, sparking a chain reaction of desires and ultimately revitalizing their marriages with humor and unexpected romance.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Afterglow 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 – Afterglow (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Afterglow (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 20th century

The events unfold in a contemporary urban environment, reflected by the modern condo lifestyle and social scenes. Characters move through bars, resorts, and hotel rooms, signaling a late-century mood of adult relationships and disillusionment. The tone favors intimate conversations and personal crises over grand historical events.

Location

Montreal, Canada

Montreal serves as a moody, urban backdrop for intertwined marriages. The city’s bars, condos and hotel spaces provide a contemporary setting for love, deceit and reconciliation. The setting reflects a sophisticated, emotionally charged atmosphere that amplifies the characters’ distance and longing.

🎭 Montreal setting 🏙️ Urban life 🇨🇦 Canadian city

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

Main Characters – Afterglow (1997)

Meet the key characters of Afterglow (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lucky Mann (Nick Nolte)

A rugged contractor who moved from California to Montreal in search of his daughter. He is guarded and pragmatic, often pursuing casual flings with clients while keeping his marriage emotionally distant. His default stance is self-preservation, yet he seeks reconciliation with Cassie in the end.

🧰 Contractor 💔 Infidelity 👔 Businessman

Phyllis Hart ( Julie Christie)

A former actress whose mortality and past fame weigh on her. She is perceptive, emotionally fragile, and drawn to older partners; her affair with Jeffrey exposes her vulnerability and longing for connection beyond a loveless marriage. She ultimately confronts the consequences of secrets and heartbreak.

🎭 Actress 💔 Unhappiness 🕯️ Mortality

Marianne Byron

A corporate executive’s wife who longs for children and affection. She is attracted to Lucky and becomes pregnant with his baby, though she does not know Phyllis is his wife. Her decision to keep or reveal paternity drives much of the film’s tension and resolution.

💼 Wealth 💕 Desire 🤰 Pregnancy

Jeffrey Byron

A depressed, self-absorbed corporate executive who hides insecurities behind charm. He resists Marianne’s advances at times, but pursues an affair with Phyllis and grapples with sexuality and possible suicide. His conflicts with Lucky and Marianne reveal the fragility of his ego.

💼 Power 💔 Infidelity 🧠 Mental health

Gloria Marino

Isabel’s mother and a friend of Marianne’s mother, who leads to Lucky’s affair with Marianne. She weaves connections between the couples and represents a social circle where extramarital liaisons are navigated.

💬 Connector 💘 Affair

Bernard Ornay

A powerful client who becomes involved with Phyllis and is connected with a larger circle of influence and secrecy. His attraction to Phyllis strains Jeffrey’s hold on Marianne and complicates business ties.

💼 Client 💘 Attraction 🗝️ Power

Monica Bloom

Ornay’s mistress who enters the social web around the Byron circle, adding tension and driving the romantic intrigue between the couples.

💃 Affair 🕊️ Intrigue

Cassie Mann

Phyllis’s daughter who ran away to Montreal as the couple’s marriage deteriorated; her eventual return signals a hopeful step toward reconciliation and healing.

👧 Daughter 🧭 Search for belonging

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

Major Themes – Afterglow (1997)

Explore the central themes of Afterglow (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Infidelity

The narrative centers on multiple affairs and the erosion of trust within marriages. Lovers manipulate and threaten to redefine family boundaries, as secrets destabilize the core relationships. The film examines how clandestine desires damage intimacy and force painful choices. Infidelity acts as a catalyst that reveals characters' vulnerabilities and conflicts.

🔒 Secrets

Hidden truths drive much of the plot, with revelations about paternity, past relationships, and unspoken expectations shaping decisions. The characters navigate between openness and concealment, often choosing to protect their partners or themselves with silence. Secrets complicate loyalties and escalate tensions, especially when miscommunications surface in public spaces like bars and hotels. The secrecy ultimately forces confrontations and shifts in alliances.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Parenthood

The film probes what family means when paternity is uncertain and children grow up amidst adults’ betrayals. Marianne’s pregnancy, Phyllis’ parental history, and Cassie’s absence create emotional stakes around fatherhood and legitimacy. The narrative tracks how parental choices ripple through generations, redefining love and duty. The ending suggests a cyclical pattern of unintended fatherhood and reconciliation.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Afterglow

Don't stop at just watching — explore Afterglow 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 Afterglow is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Afterglow Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Afterglow, 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.

Afterglow Summary

Afterglow Timeline

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

Afterglow Timeline

More About Afterglow

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Afterglow: 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 Afterglow

Similar Movies to Afterglow

Discover movies like Afterglow that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.