All Day and a Night

All Day and a Night

Year: 2020

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: Joe Robert Cole

Echo Score: 70
Drama

A young man’s life takes a dramatic turn when he’s imprisoned and unexpectedly reunited with his estranged father. Within the confines of a harsh prison environment, he’s forced to confront a complicated family history and the choices that led him to this point. As they struggle to survive, he must grapple with his past mistakes and search for a chance at redemption and a better understanding of himself.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – All Day and a Night (2020)

Trace every key event in All Day and a Night (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Home Invasion

Jahkor bursts into the home of Malcolm during what seemed to be a peaceful evening. Guns drawn, he engages in a violent standoff, tragically resulting in Malcolm's death and changing the trajectory of his life forever.

Oakland, California
2

Trial and Sentencing

Facing trial for his crime, Jahkor's fate is sealed as Cece's mother delivers a stinging condemnation in court. This moment leads to a lengthy prison sentence, marking a significant turning point in Jahkor's life.

3

Life in Prison

Enclosed within oppressive prison walls, Jahkor begins to confront the harsh realities of his past and the memories of relentless bullying. The supportive friendship of inmates Lamark and TQ becomes a lifeline amid incarceration's brutality.

Prison
4

Strained Family Dynamics

As Jahkor reflects on his upbringing, he recalls his father's abusive behavior exacerbated by drug addiction. His mother, Delonda, struggles to provide a semblance of normalcy, illustrating the chaotic nature of his childhood.

5

Turning to Violence

Aging into adolescence, Jahkor embraces violence and petty crimes as a means to assert his identity. Despite this, he discovers a passion for rap, which ignites his dreams of making a mark in the hip-hop world.

6

Diverging Paths

As he grows older, Jahkor and his friends take different paths in life. Lamark's military aspirations are derailed due to injury while TQ succumbs to gang life, revealing the stark contrasts in their choices within their turbulent environment.

7

Whispers of Vengeance

Rumors circulate within the prison that Malcolm's associates are seeking revenge against Jahkor. He understands the need to play smart to protect his loved ones amidst the looming threats.

Prison
8

Funeral Confrontation

At a funeral, Jahkor and TQ encounter Big Stunna, a gangster known for his brutal methods. The somber event turns into a high-stakes game of loyalty and rivalry, underscoring the political maneuvering in their dangerous world.

Funeral
9

Anticipation of Fatherhood

Jahkor receives the fulfilling news that his girlfriend Shantaye is expecting their child, sparking excitement and anxiety about his future responsibilities as a father. He finds himself grappling with the harsh realities of incarceration while longing for a better environment for his son.

10

Relationship Strains

A visit from his mother leads to intense confrontation, revealing the cracks in Jahkor's relationship with Shantaye. Their bond suffers under the weight of his circumstances and past misunderstandings, compelling Jahkor to reassess his life choices.

Prison
11

Witnessing Violence

Amidst a birthday celebration, Jahkor and his companions witness a gruesome street execution that highlights the dangers embedded in their way of life. This brutal reality further reinforces the notion of violence permeating their existence.

12

Letter from Shantaye

Receiving a heartfelt letter from Shantaye about their child's growth prompts Jahkor to respond with equal emotion. As he contemplates his broken family dynamics, the desire for redemption and connection fuels his thoughts.

13

Confrontation with T-Rex

T-Rex inadvertently reveals Shantaye's troubling past, igniting a confrontation that shatters Jahkor's trust. This moment introduces deeper rifts in their relationship, challenging Jahkor's perception of loyalty and betrayal.

14

Final Confrontation

Jahkor's life takes a dramatic turn as he embarks on a quest to confront Malcolm. This confrontation ultimately leads to a lethal encounter, marking the end of Malcolm's reign and forcing Jahkor to evaluate the consequences of his choices.

15

Meeting Zion

In a deeply emotional moment, Shantaye brings their newborn, Zion, to meet Jahkor. This encounter offers hope and a chance for Jahkor to break the cycle of violence that has defined his life, as he contemplates a different future for his family.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 19:32

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Prison dramas about father-son legacies like All Day and a Night

Stories of sons confronting their fathers' violent legacies while incarcerated.If you were gripped by the raw father-son drama in All Day and a Night, you'll find similar heavy stories here. This collection features movies about incarceration, generational trauma, and the difficult struggle to escape a cycle of violence, focusing on powerful character studies within bleak settings.

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Narrative Summary

This narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often a young man, who finds himself trapped in a system (like prison) that mirrors the toxic environment of his upbringing. Through a non-linear structure, the story interweaves past traumas with the present struggle, forcing a painful confrontation with a parent—usually a father—who embodies the path the protagonist is on. The central conflict is internal: the battle to understand and ultimately reject a destructive inheritance.

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Movies in this thread share a gritty, oppressive mood and a focus on the psychological weight of family history. They combine high emotional intensity with a dark tone, using settings like prisons as physical manifestations of internal confinement. The journey is ultimately about the fragile hope for change amidst overwhelming circumstances.

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Character-driven stories of finding fragile hope after a life of crime and hardship.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet ending of All Day and a Night, this thread gathers similar gritty urban dramas. These movies explore themes of crime, systemic trauma, and the difficult, often incomplete, journey toward personal redemption and breaking free from a harsh environment.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative journey in these films begins with a protagonist deeply entrenched in a world of crime and hardship, often as a result of their environment. The plot forces a reckoning, typically through a major loss or incarceration, leading to a painful but necessary self-examination. The arc is toward a nuanced redemption—not a full escape or erasure of the past, but a hard-earned understanding and a commitment to change, symbolized by a small, significant act of hope at the end.

Why These Movies?

This grouping is defined by a consistent vibe: a raw, melancholic mood combined with a dark tone that carries a fragile thread of hope. The movies share a high emotional weight and a focus on the impact of environment on identity. They are emotionally draining yet ultimately reflective, leaving the viewer with a complex mix of sadness and cautious optimism.

Unlock the Full Story of All Day and a Night

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All Day and a Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of All Day and a Night, 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.

All Day and a Night Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in All Day and a Night

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Characters, Settings & Themes in All Day and a Night

All Day and a Night Spoiler-Free Summary

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All Day and a Night Spoiler-Free Summary

More About All Day and a Night

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