Atlantic City

Year: 1981

Runtime: 104 min

Language: English

Director: Louis Malle

DramaRomanceCrime

Seeking a fresh start, Sally Matthews leaves her life in Canada for the allure of Atlantic City’s gambling scene. There, she becomes entangled with Lou Pascal, a seasoned but small-time mobster with ambitions of his own. As Sally navigates the high-stakes world of casinos, her past catches up to her in the form of an ex-con husband. They forge an uneasy alliance, but their pursuit of wealth and success puts them both in grave danger.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Atlantic City 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 – Atlantic City (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Atlantic City (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: May 26, 2025 at 06:39

Main Characters – Atlantic City (1981)

Meet the key characters of Atlantic City (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: May 26, 2025 at 06:39

Major Themes – Atlantic City (1981)

Explore the central themes of Atlantic City (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: May 26, 2025 at 06:39

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.

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 faded glamour and desperate dreams like Atlantic City

Characters chasing a broken version of the American Dream in a past-its-prime setting.If you liked the melancholic atmosphere of Atlantic City, you'll appreciate these movies set in crumbling worlds where characters chase broken dreams. This collection features similar dramas and crime stories about ambition, disillusionment, and the gritty reality behind faded glamour.

melancholicgrittydreamlikedisillusionedlonelydesperateatmospheric

Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow characters arriving in a place with a grand reputation, only to discover its best days are behind it. Their pursuit of wealth or status becomes intertwined with the locale's decline, leading to tense alliances, criminal entanglements, and a bittersweet reckoning with reality.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared mood of melancholy and desperation, set against a backdrop of environmental decay. The steady pacing allows for character-driven stories where ambition clashes with a harsh reality, often involving crime and resulting in a bittersweet emotional resolution.

Movies about uneasy alliances and moral compromise like Atlantic City

Stories of dangerous collaborations born from necessity and leading to betrayal.Fans of Atlantic City's tense dynamic between Sally and Lou will enjoy these movies about flawed partnerships and moral compromise. Discover similar crime dramas and thrillers where characters form dangerous alliances that lead to betrayal and high-stakes danger.

tensevoyeuristicgrittydesperatebetrayalmoral ambiguityuneasy

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often seeking a fresh start, who becomes entangled with a morally ambiguous partner. Their collaboration escalates from small-time schemes to serious danger, testing loyalties and culminating in a crisis that forces a final, bittersweet or bleak reckoning.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific plot structure of a 'May-December' style partnership forged in desperation, a steady pacing that builds tension, and a medium emotional weight focused on betrayal and moral compromise. The tone is consistently tense and melancholic, leading to an ambiguous or bittersweet conclusion.

Unlock the Full Story of Atlantic City

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

Atlantic City Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Atlantic City, 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.

Atlantic City Timeline

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

Atlantic City Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Atlantic City 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.

More About Atlantic City

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Atlantic City: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Atlantic City

Discover movies like Atlantic City 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.