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.

Arlington Road (1999) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Arlington Road (1999) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a quiet Washington, D.C. suburb, the everyday rhythm of academia collides with the lingering shadows of loss. Michael Faraday, a history professor still haunted by the brutal death of his wife—an FBI agent—raises his ten‑year‑old son and tries to stitch normalcy back together. The house on Arlington Road feels both a refuge and a reminder of the world he once navigated with precision, where personal grief and professional resolve silently intertwine.

When a friendly couple moves in next door, the street gains a new pulse. Oliver and Cheryl Lang appear warm and eager to blend into the neighborhood, quickly forming bonds with Michael and his son. Their presence, however, stirs a quiet disquiet in Michael’s mind, prompting him to watch the ordinary details of their lives with an increasingly analytical eye. The suburban setting, with its manicured lawns and polite smiles, becomes a backdrop for a growing sense of unease that the familiar may conceal something far less benign.

The film settles into a taut, psychological tone, where the line between paranoia and truth blurs under the weight of past trauma. It explores how a man shaped by loss and duty can become consumed by suspicion, turning everyday interactions into clues and questions. As Michael’s curiosity deepens, the story invites viewers to feel the slow tightening of a rope around a seemingly safe world, hinting at hidden currents beneath the calm surface of Arlington Road.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 12:53

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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.

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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.

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Arlington Road Summary

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Arlington Road Summary

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Arlington Road Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Arlington Road

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Arlington Road

More About Arlington Road

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