American Gigolo

Year: 1980

Runtime: 117 min

Language: English

Director: Paul Schrader

DramaMysteryThrillerRomanceCrime

A charismatic gigolo named Julian, played by Richard Gere, leads a luxurious life until he becomes the prime suspect in a wealthy client's wife's murder. As he fights to prove his innocence, Julian finds himself entangled in a dangerous world of lies, corruption, and hidden agendas. He must unravel the truth behind the crime while confronting the secrets that could cost him everything.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – American Gigolo (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of American Gigolo (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:33

Main Characters – American Gigolo (1980)

Meet the key characters of American Gigolo (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:33

Major Themes – American Gigolo (1980)

Explore the central themes of American Gigolo (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:33

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Stylish paranoia thrillers like American Gigolo

Charismatic protagonists trapped in a web of conspiracy and suspicion.Discover movies like American Gigolo that blend a tense, stylish atmosphere with a gripping story of a protagonist framed or hunted. If you enjoyed the feeling of inescapable suspicion and the battle to clear a name against powerful, unseen forces, these thrillers deliver a similar high-stakes, anxiety-fueled experience.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with a protagonist at the peak of their world, whose life is shattered by a false accusation or a sinister discovery. The plot unfolds as a tense cat-and-mouse game, with the hero piecing together clues while being pursued by both official authorities and shadowy antagonists, leading to a revelation that destabilizes their entire reality.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared core experience: a palpable sense of stylish paranoia. They combine a visually polished aesthetic with a high-tension plot focused on a character desperately trying to prove their innocence, creating a consistently anxious and claustrophobic mood.

Movies about a dramatic downfall like American Gigolo

Characters who lose their luxurious lives in a dramatic downfall.If you were fascinated by Julian's journey from luxury to desperation in American Gigolo, this thread collects similar stories of dramatic downfall. These films explore characters who lose everything and must fight for survival, often confronting corruption and betrayal in a world that has turned against them.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character arc of precipitous decline. The story begins by establishing the protagonist's opulent and seemingly secure world, which is then shattered by a single event—a crime, a betrayal, or a accusation. The bulk of the plot involves their gritty, often morally ambiguous fight for survival and redemption, culminating in an ending that is rarely a full restoration but often a bittersweet or ambiguous resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a powerful thematic and emotional core: the destruction of a glamorous life and the subsequent gritty fight for survival. They evoke feelings of melancholy, desperation, and a heavy emotional weight as they explore themes of materialism, corruption, and the fragility of status.

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

American Gigolo Summary

Read a complete plot summary of American Gigolo, 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.

American Gigolo Timeline

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

American Gigolo Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About American Gigolo

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

Similar Movies to American Gigolo

Discover movies like American Gigolo 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.