Ariel

Ariel

Year: 1988

Runtime: 73 mins

Language: Finnish

Director: Aki Kaurismäki

ComedyDramaRomanceCrime

A Finnish man goes to the city to find a job after the mine where he worked is closed and his father commits suicide.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Ariel 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 – Ariel (1988)

Trace every key event in Ariel (1988) 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

Mine closes in Lapland, unemployment hits

The mine in Finnish Lapland shuts down, leaving Taisto Kasurinen without work. He faces an uncertain future as his livelihood vanishes with the mine's closure. This event sets the film's onward path as he searches for a new life away from mining.

early Finnish Lapland
2

Cadillac gift and an abrupt suicide

In a café, an older miner advises Kasurinen that there is no future in mining and hands him the keys to a 1962 white Cadillac convertible. The man then goes to the restroom and shoots himself, leaving Kasurinen with a haunting symbol and a new sense of direction. The Cadillac becomes a driving motif for the journey ahead.

afternoon Café, unspecified
3

Move south and get mugged

Kasurinen drives the Cadillac to southern Finland, but he is mugged along the way and his life savings are stolen. The loss forces him to confront a more precarious future outside the North. He must scramble for money and work in a new place.

soon after Southern Finland
4

New job and cheap lodging

He finds a laboring job and secures a cheap bed at a nearby hostel, beginning to rebuild his life piece by piece. The modest accommodation and back-to-work routine contrast with his earlier loss. This marks a tentative step toward stability.

shortly after City hostel
5

Irmeli notices the Cadillac

Metermaid Irmeli is impressed by the Cadillac and flirts with Kasurinen. She quits her job to accept his dinner invitation, and they start a developing romance. They go to her home where they sleep together and compare pasts, hinting at deeper connections.

evening City, Irmeli's home
6

A troubling wake-up call

Kasurinen is woken by Irmeli's young son pointing a gun at him and offering him breakfast, revealing a volatile, protective side of Irmeli's life. The moment unsettles Kasurinen and deepens the complexity of their budding relationship. The dangerous domestic scene foreshadows the film's harsher turns.

morning Irmeli's home
7

Hostel eviction and selling the car

Unable to pay for the hostel bed, Kasurinen is kicked out and ends up sleeping in his car. With money tight, he reluctantly sells the Cadillac, losing the symbol of his new start. The financial strain pushes him toward precarious choices.

soon after City
8

Diner confrontation and arrest

While in a diner, Kasurinen spots one of the men who robbed him and gives chase, grabbing the knife the man pulls on him and holding him at knifepoint. The situation escalates, and the police arrest Kasurinen for attempted armed robbery. The sequence thrusts him into the criminal justice system.

later Diner
9

Courtroom sentence and a piercing glance

Kasurinen is sentenced to nearly two years in jail. As he leaves the courtroom, he catches the eye of a distressed Irmeli across the room, hinting at the emotional stakes of his imprisonment. The public consequences of his actions become personal.

after trial Courtroom
10

Marriage plan during prison visits

Kasurinen proposes marriage to Irmeli during one of her visits to the prison, and Irmeli accepts, providing a beacon of hope amid confinement. The engagement ties their fates together beyond the bars. The relationship becomes more serious as they navigate separation.

during visits Prison visiting room
11

Birthday cake and escape

Later, Irmeli brings him a birthday cake and a book with a saw inside it. He and his cellmate Mikkonen escape from the prison together, catalyzing a dramatic turn toward their flight from the country. The escape marks a new, dangerous chapter.

escape sequence Prison
12

Marrying after the escape

Outside the prison, Kasurinen and Irmeli get married, solidifying their partnership as they face an uncertain future together. The ceremony signals a commitment that will be tested by subsequent choices. The newlyweds embark on a shared plan beyond confinement.

after escape Outside prison
13

Bank robbery and a fatal betrayal

Kasurinen and Mikkonen rob a bank to fund their journey out of the country. The men who had promised them passports stab Mikkonen to grab the loot, and Kasurinen shoots the attackers, yet cannot save his friend. The heist tragedy underscores the film's descent into violence.

after escape Bank
14

Ariel to Mexico

The film ends with Kasurinen, Irmeli, and her son boarding a ship named Ariel bound for Mexico, seeking a fresh start far from their past. The voyage leaves their future uncertain but symbolic of escape and renewal. The last image is of a family choosing a new path together.

ending Dock, aboard the ship Ariel

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:33

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 Ariel

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

Ariel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ariel, 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.

Ariel Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ariel

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Ariel. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ariel

More About Ariel

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

Similar Movies to Ariel

Discover movies like Ariel 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.