ARQ

ARQ

Year: 2016

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Tony Elliott

Sci-FiThriller

As global oil reserves dwindle, powerful corporations and nations fight for control. An engineer finds himself caught in a desperate situation, tasked with protecting a groundbreaking energy source from relentless attackers. He is forced to relive the same day in a disorienting time loop, constantly resetting and confronting the same dangers. To break free from the cycle and prevent further conflict, he must uncover the secrets of the technology and find a way to end the escalating wars.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen ARQ 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 – ARQ (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of ARQ (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set in a near-future scenario where technology has advanced significantly. The ethical implications of inventions like the ARQ, a perpetual motion machine, highlight the tension between innovation and control. This period explores themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of technological advancements.

Location

Renton's Apartment, Torus Corporation

Renton's apartment serves as the initial setting for the intense standoff with the armed intruders. It is a familiar yet unsettling place that quickly transforms into a battleground. The Torus Corporation, on the other hand, represents a powerful corporate entity known for its technological advancements, including the ARQ device, which is central to the story's conflict.

🏙️ Urban 🏢 Corporate

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:24

Main Characters – ARQ (2016)

Meet the key characters of ARQ (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Renton

Renton is a determined yet flawed protagonist haunted by his past decisions. His ingenuity in creating the ARQ contrasts with his reckless pursuit of freedom from the time loop. Throughout the movie, Renton grapples with guilt and betrayal, particularly in his tumultuous relationship with Hannah. His character evolves as he faces unsettling truths about himself and those around him.

🎭 Protagonist 🧠 Intelligent 💔 Insecure

Hannah

Hannah is a complex character caught between her feelings for Renton and the dangers surrounding them. Initially appearing as a reluctant participant, she reveals layers of resentment and strength as the story unfolds. Her actions, driven by a mix of betrayal and survival instinct, underscore the emotional struggles faced by individuals under great pressure.

💪 Resilient 💔 Conflicted 🤝 Ally

Father

Father is the antagonistic leader of the Bloc, showing a ruthless determination to achieve his goals. He represents a threat to Renton and Hannah, demanding their compliance while revealing a greater conflict between factions. His character displays both cunning strategy and a harsh reality of power struggles amidst the chaos.

🦹 Antagonist 🔫 Threatening 📈 Power-driven

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:24

Major Themes – ARQ (2016)

Explore the central themes of ARQ (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔄 Time Loop

The theme of the time loop is central to the narrative, as Renton and Hannah are trapped in a cycle of repeated events. Each iteration allows them to unveil layers of their relationship and the stakes involved. The continual resetting emphasizes the struggle for choice and control over their destinies, questioning if they can break free.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal runs deep in the storyline, affecting the characters' relationships significantly. Renton and Hannah's alliance is continuously tested by their past and the treachery from those around them. This theme highlights the consequences of trust and the impact of past actions on present decisions.

⚡ Sacrifice

Sacrifice emerges as a critical theme as characters must make impossible choices to ensure survival. Renton's journey reveals the painful decisions required to protect the ones he cares about while dismantling the very device he engineered. Ultimately, the theme challenges the value of life and the lengths one will go to embrace change.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:24

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.

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.

Desperate time loop movies like ARQ

Characters forced to relive a deadly cycle, seeking a way out against impossible odds.If you enjoyed the high-stakes, disorienting cycle of ARQ, explore more movies like it. These films feature characters trapped in desperate time loops, combining intense thrillers and complex sci-fi narratives where every reset brings new consequences.

claustrophobicanxiousdesperatefutileintenseparanoidmind-bendingrace against time

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a recursive, non-linear structure where the plot resets to a fixed point. Characters typically retain memories across loops, allowing them to piece together a puzzle or alter events. The narrative tension comes from the growing desperation to break the cycle and the psychological unraveling caused by the endless repetition.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share the central device of a time loop to explore themes of fate, choice, and desperation. They create a specific, claustrophobic viewing experience defined by high tension, fast-paced revelations within a confined structure, and a heavy emotional weight from the characters' ordeal.

Claustrophobic sci-fi thrillers similar to ARQ

High-tech paranoia in confined spaces, where trust is fragile and survival is uncertain.For viewers who liked the confined, high-tension setting of ARQ, this list features similar sci-fi thrillers. These movies often involve small groups in isolated locations, facing external threats and internal betrayal, resulting in a paranoid and intense vibe.

claustrophobicanxiousparanoidintensesuspensefuldesperatehigh-stakesdystopian

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically unfolds in a single, restrictive location, forcing characters into close quarters. Conflicts arise from both external threats (invaders, environmental hazards) and internal strife (betrayal, conflicting agendas). The plot is driven by a desperate race to control a MacGuffin (a device, data, or resource) that escalates the stakes and tests loyalties.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share a specific atmospheric blend: the imaginative possibilities of science fiction fused with the visceral tension of a thriller, all contained within a claustrophobic environment. The similarity lies in the oppressive mood, fast pacing, high intensity, and themes of survival and moral compromise.

Unlock the Full Story of ARQ

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

ARQ Summary

Read a complete plot summary of ARQ, 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.

ARQ Summary

ARQ Timeline

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

ARQ Timeline

ARQ Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of ARQ 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.

ARQ Spoiler-Free Summary

More About ARQ

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

Similar Movies to ARQ

Discover movies like ARQ 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.