Albert Nobbs

Albert Nobbs

Year: 2011

Runtime: 113 min

Language: English

Director: Rodrigo García

Drama

In 19th-century Ireland, Albert Nobbs lives as a man, carefully concealing her true identity as a woman. As a butler, she maintains a quiet existence, driven by the fear of exposure. The arrival of Hubert Page, another woman passing as male, disrupts Albert’s carefully constructed world. Seeing Hubert's ability to navigate society, Albert resolves to find love and pursue her own desires, embarking on a journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Albert Nobbs 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 – Albert Nobbs (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Albert Nobbs (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century

The 19th century was a period marked by significant social changes and industrial advancements. In Dublin, societal norms were rigid, and individuals often faced constraints imposed by class structures. This backdrop informs the characters' struggles with identity, love, and personal aspirations.

Location

Dublin, Morrison's Hotel

The movie takes place in 19th century Dublin, a vibrant city known for its rich culture and history. Morrison's Hotel, where much of the story unfolds, is a bustling establishment with a variety of workers and guests. It serves as a microcosm of society, reflecting the social dynamics and challenges of the era.

🏨 Hotel 🇮🇪 Dublin

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:08

Main Characters – Albert Nobbs (2011)

Meet the key characters of Albert Nobbs (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Albert Nobbs

Albert Nobbs is a reserved, hard-working waiter whose quiet demeanor masks deep emotional scars. As he yearns for companionship and a sense of belonging, his character embodies the struggle of those constrained by societal expectations. His journey prompts self-reflection and exploration of personal identity.

👨‍🍳 Waiter 💭 Dreamer 🕰️ Timid

Hubert Page

Hubert Page is a newcomer to Morrison's Hotel, whose boldness and understanding challenge Albert's perceptions of life. He serves as a mentor of sorts, encouraging Albert to open up to new possibilities. Hubert's character represents themes of guidance and friendship in times of uncertainty.

🎨 Painter 👬 Friend 💪 Supportive

Helen Dawes

Helen Dawes is a flirtatious young co-worker who captivates Albert's attention, embodying the complexities of desire and romantic entanglements. Her involvement with Joe reveals her conflicting interests and the challenges she faces in love. Helen's character highlights the tension between attraction and loyalty.

💋 Flirt 🖤 Romantic 😕 Conflicted

Joe Mackins

Joe Mackins is a brusque, cunning colleague at Morrison's who complicates the romantic dynamics among the staff. His assertive nature and entanglement with Helen create tension and conflict, offering a stark contrast to Albert's more timid approach to relationships. Joe's character adds layers of rivalry and competition.

😏 Cunning 💔 Rival 🌪️ Chaotic

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:08

Major Themes – Albert Nobbs (2011)

Explore the central themes of Albert Nobbs (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Loneliness

The theme of loneliness permeates Albert's existence as he works diligently at the hotel while yearning for deeper connections. Despite being surrounded by colleagues, he feels isolated, underscoring the emotional depths of his character. This loneliness drives his dreams of a more fulfilling life.

❤️ Love

Love emerges as a complicated and elusive theme throughout the narrative. Albert’s interactions reveal the challenges of seeking companionship in a world full of social constraints. The contrast between his feelings for Helen and the realities of love depicted through Hubert’s life choices highlight the struggle for authentic connections.

🔄 Transformation

Albert's journey revolves around personal transformation and the quest for freedom. The appearance of Hubert serves as a catalyst for Albert to reconsider his life choices and challenge his current reality. This theme emphasizes the courage needed to envision a different future and embrace change.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:08

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.

Movies about lives in disguise like Albert Nobbs

Characters concealing their true identities to survive in an oppressive world.If you were captivated by Albert Nobbs's story of secret identity, explore more movies about characters living in disguise. This thread features period dramas and character studies where individuals hide their true selves to navigate repressive societies, focusing on themes of survival, loneliness, and the search for acceptance.

closetedoppressivelonelytensesomberconstrainedsecretiveintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist maintaining a fragile façade. The central conflict is internal (fear of exposure) and external (societal pressure). The story often explores the psychological toll of this deception, culminating in moments of risk, potential discovery, or a bittersweet reckoning with the cost of living a lie.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the emotional and psychological experience of concealment. They create a specific, constrained mood of quiet tension and melancholy, where the pacing is often deliberate to emphasize the weight of the secret and the protagonist's isolation.

Quiet and melancholic dramas like Albert Nobbs

Slow, emotionally heavy dramas about isolated characters searching for connection.For viewers who appreciated the quiet melancholy and emotional weight of Albert Nobbs, this thread features similar slow-paced, somber dramas. Discover movies with constrained characters, oppressive atmospheres, and stories of bittersweet longing that resonate with a similar introspective and heavy feel.

melancholicsomberlonelyoppressivequietintrospectivebittersweetyearning

Narrative Summary

The narrative is character-driven, often with a linear plot that prioritizes internal emotional states over external action. The protagonist's journey is one of quiet struggle against societal or personal constraints, with love or fulfillment presented as a distant, often unattainable goal. The ending typically reflects this constrained reality, offering limited resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films share a very specific mix of tone (melancholic), pacing (slow), and emotional weight (heavy). They create a cohesive viewing experience for those seeking deeply introspective, somber stories that are more about mood and character than plot-driven action, united by a feeling of quiet despair and muted hope.

Unlock the Full Story of Albert Nobbs

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

Albert Nobbs Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Albert Nobbs, 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.

Albert Nobbs Summary

Albert Nobbs Timeline

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

Albert Nobbs Timeline

Albert Nobbs Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Albert Nobbs 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.

Albert Nobbs Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Albert Nobbs

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

Similar Movies to Albert Nobbs

Discover movies like Albert Nobbs 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.