Arlington Road

Arlington Road

Year: 1999

Runtime: 117 min

Language: English

Director: Mark Pellington

Budget: $31M

MysteryThriller

Following the brutal death of his wife, an FBI agent, college professor Michael Faraday becomes consumed by suspicion. He begins investigating his new neighbors, Oliver and Cheryl Lang, and finds himself increasingly paranoid as he probes their seemingly normal lives. As he delves deeper, the boundaries between his fears and the truth become dangerously unclear, leading him down a dark path on Arlington Road.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Arlington Road 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 – Arlington Road (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Arlington Road (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events in the movie seem to unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as terrorism, government distrust, and the impact of personal tragedy on an individual's psyche. This allows the narrative to resonate with current real-world anxieties.

Location

George Washington University, St. Louis

George Washington University is a prestigious institution located in the heart of Washington D.C., known for its strong emphasis on history and political sciences. St. Louis, a major city in Missouri, is marked by its historical significance and was a pivotal location in the story, particularly regarding the tragic bombing incident.

🏢 University 🌆 City

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:56

Main Characters – Arlington Road (1999)

Meet the key characters of Arlington Road (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges)

Michael Faraday is a widowed history professor grappling with the loss of his wife, a former FBI agent. He is depicted as intelligent and passionate but becomes consumed by paranoia as he investigates his neighbors, leading to moral complexities and a tragic downfall.

👨‍🏫 Professor 🥼 Investigator 💔 Grief

Oliver Lang (Tim Robbins)

Oliver Lang is a charismatic yet deceptive character who initially appears friendly and approachable, but harbors a dark past. His transformation into a threat showcases the duality of his persona, as he manipulates those around him to achieve his sinister objectives.

🕶️ Deceptive 👨‍👩‍👦 Family Man 🚨 Threat

Cheryl Lang (Joan Cusack)

Cheryl Lang is a seemingly supportive partner and mother whose true motivations remain ambiguous throughout the film. Her character embodies the complexities of familial loyalty against a backdrop of danger, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

👩‍👦 Protector 🤫 Mysterious 💔 Betrayal

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:56

Major Themes – Arlington Road (1999)

Explore the central themes of Arlington Road (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Paranoia

A central theme in the movie is paranoia, as Michael Faraday becomes increasingly suspicious of his neighbors, sparking a tense investigation into their lives. This growing distrust illustrates how personal trauma can lead someone to question the intentions of others, driving them into a spiral of fear and isolation.

⚖️ Justice

Justice plays a critical role in the narrative as Michael seeks to expose the truth behind the Lang family's actions. The film explores the idea of justice being manipulated and perverted by those in power, raising questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting citizens.

🧒 Fatherhood

Fatherhood is a poignant theme throughout the film, as Michael navigates his responsibilities as a single parent while grappling with the fear of losing his son. His protective instincts lead him to take desperate actions in an effort to shield Grant from the dangers posed by the Lang family.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:56

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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.

Paranoid thrillers about suspicious neighbors like Arlington Road

Stories where the threat is hidden next door and trust becomes a liability.If you liked the unsettling neighborly distrust in Arlington Road, you'll find more movies that delve into similar themes. This thread features thrillers where characters discover terrifying secrets about the people living next door, exploring themes of trust, paranoia, and suburban menace.

paranoidsuspensefulunsettlingclaustrophobicanxiousoppressivedesperate

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a protagonist, often grieving or vulnerable, who begins to notice unsettling details about their new neighbors. Their investigation escalates from casual curiosity to obsessive paranoia, forcing them to question their own sanity as the threat becomes more tangible and personal, often putting their family in direct danger.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core premise of domestic threat, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a tone of pervasive unease. They are united by the psychological tension of not knowing who to trust in your own community, creating a claustrophobic and suspenseful experience.

Bleak conspiracy thrillers with devastating endings like Arlington Road

Gripping stories of uncovering plots that end in devastating failure for the hero.For viewers who appreciated the shocking, hopeless conclusion of Arlington Road, this collection features similar movies where the hero loses. These are tense, high-stakes thrillers about uncovering sinister plots that culminate in the villain's triumph, leaving a lasting impact.

bleakgrimtensedesperateunsettlinghopelessoppressive

Narrative Summary

A determined but often isolated investigator uncovers a dangerous conspiracy, risking everything to expose the truth. Despite their efforts and growing evidence, the opposing force is too powerful or clever. The narrative builds to a climax where the protagonist is not only defeated but often framed, discredited, or eliminated, ensuring the conspiracy's success.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their shared narrative structure of a futile investigation, their high-tension tone, and most importantly, their bleak ending feel. They deliver a powerful, if distressing, experience centered on the theme that some evils are too entrenched to overcome.

Unlock the Full Story of Arlington Road

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

Arlington Road Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Arlington Road, 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.

Arlington Road Summary

Arlington Road Timeline

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

Arlington Road Timeline

Arlington Road Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Arlington Road 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.

Arlington Road Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Arlington Road

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

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