Anomalisa

Anomalisa

Year: 2015

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Directors: Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson

Budget: $8M

DramaFantasyComedyRomanceAnimation

A cynical self-help speaker finds his life unexpectedly changed by a woman who seems different from everyone else. As he navigates a world where everyone sounds the same, their connection deepens, forcing him to examine his own detached perspective and the possibility of genuine human connection. He must confront his emotional stagnation and embrace the unexpected spark that has entered his life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Anomalisa (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Anomalisa (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2005

The year 2005 was marked by significant events in pop culture and technology, setting the stage for the film's exploration of personal disconnection in an increasingly homogeneous society. This era witnessed the rise of digital communication, which paralleled the film’s themes of isolation amidst apparent connectivity.

Location

Cincinnati, Fregoli Hotel

Cincinnati is a vibrant city in the southwestern region of Ohio, known for its rich cultural heritage, sports teams, and distinctive cuisine such as Cincinnati chili. The Fregoli Hotel serves as a crucial setting in the film, encapsulating the essence of isolation and misconnection as Michael Stone navigates this peculiar environment.

🏙️ City 🏨 Hotel

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:56

Main Characters – Anomalisa (2015)

Meet the key characters of Anomalisa (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Michael Stone (voiced by David Thewlis)

Michael Stone is a disillusioned self-help author grappling with a profound sense of disconnection and existential despair. As he travels to Cincinnati, he is plagued by the haunting realization that everyone around him shares an estranged sameness, reflecting his inner turmoil and quest for meaning.

📖 Author 😔 Disconnected

Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh)

Lisa is an empathetic and awkward admirer of Michael's work, embodying a unique charm that captivates him. Her vulnerability and genuine affection provide a stark contrast to the uniformity that envelops Michael, representing a fleeting hope for authentic connection.

❤️ Admirer 🌟 Unique

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:56

Major Themes – Anomalisa (2015)

Explore the central themes of Anomalisa (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Isolation

Isolation is a central theme in 'Anomalisa', vividly portrayed through Michael's experiences and interactions. The film explores the dissonance between his internal struggles and his external environment, where everyone he encounters shares the same voice, reflecting the alienation many face in modern life.

💔 Connection

The search for genuine connection is highlighted in Michael's fleeting relationship with Lisa. Despite the overwhelming uniformity surrounding them, their bond offers a moment of intimacy, emphasizing the human desire for authentic relationships amidst a sea of sameness.

👤 Identity

Identity crisis looms large in 'Anomalisa', as Michael grapples with the repetitiveness of voices and faces. This theme challenges the notion of individuality, as Michael confronts the unsettling realization that even those dear to him echo the same dispassionate tone, blurring the lines of his reality.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:56

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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 existential loneliness like Anomalisa

Stories of profound alienation and the fleeting, illusory nature of human connection.If you appreciated the deep exploration of alienation and the search for meaning in Anomalisa, this thread features similar films. Discover movies that tackle themes of isolation, depression, and the fragile, often heartbreaking pursuit of genuine human connection.

lonelymelancholicreflectiveanxiousdetacheddreamlikeclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a solitary character's internal journey as they navigate a world that feels monotonous or hostile. A catalyst, often a person or event, offers a brief reprieve from their isolation, forcing them to confront their emotional state. The arc is usually introspective, focusing on the character's realization of their condition, with endings that are often melancholic or bleak, reinforcing the difficulty of escaping existential solitude.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a heavy emotional weight, a melancholic tone, and a slow, reflective pace that allows for deep character study. They are united by their central theme of alienation and their focus on the psychological interiority of a protagonist struggling to connect.

Surreal psychological dramas with a metaphor like Anomalisa

Films that use a bold surreal or fantastical concept to externalize a character's inner world.For viewers who were captivated by the unique premise of Anomalisa, where everyone has the same face and voice, this section finds similar films. Explore movies that use a central surreal or fantastical concept as a direct metaphor for a character's internal struggle and perception of reality.

dreamlikepsychologicalunsettlingmetaphoricalreflectiveanxious

Narrative Summary

The plot is driven by the protagonist's interaction with a world distorted by their psychology. The central metaphor (e.g., a perceptual disorder, a surreal rule) creates the primary conflict and tension. The story is often a linear exploration of this concept, focusing on how the character either succumbs to or grapples with their metaphorical reality, leading to a conclusion that comments on the inescapability or understanding of their condition.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their moderate narrative complexity, arising from a key symbolic device that requires interpretation. They share a dreamlike or unsettling mood, a medium intensity driven by psychological unease, and a focus on how internal struggles manifest in the external world.

Unlock the Full Story of Anomalisa

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

Anomalisa Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Anomalisa, 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.

Anomalisa Summary

Anomalisa Timeline

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

Anomalisa Timeline

Anomalisa Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Anomalisa 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.

Anomalisa Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Anomalisa

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

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Discover movies like Anomalisa 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.