Atlantics

Atlantics

Year: 2019

Runtime: 104 min

Language: Wolof

Director: Mati Diop

Echo Score: 84

Budget: $2.2M

Drama

Ada faces an arranged marriage, haunted by the disappearance of her former lover, who vanished at sea while trying to migrate. Strange events begin to occur in their coastal town, and Ada is forced to confront her feelings as the mysterious circumstances surrounding his departure resurface, offering a glimmer of hope amidst uncertainty and the enduring power of love.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Atlantics (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Atlantics (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie does not specify a particular time period but presents a contemporary setting that reflects current socio-economic issues in Senegal. It deals with themes of migration, economic hardship, and social injustice prevalent in modern times.

Location

Dakar

Dakar is a vibrant city on the Atlantic coast of Senegal, known for its rich cultural heritage and bustling markets. The suburb where the movie is set contrasts the luxurious new tower with the struggles of its working-class residents. The coastal city is also often a launching point for those seeking better opportunities abroad.

🏖️ Coast 🌆 Urban

Last Updated: December 12, 2024 at 23:07

Main Characters – Atlantics (2019)

Meet the key characters of Atlantics (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Souleiman (Traore)

Souleiman is a passionate young man driven by his love for Ada and a desperate desire for a better life. His decision to leave for Spain showcases his hope and determination, but his ultimate fate adds a haunting aura to his character as he transforms into a spirit seeking connection. His love story is both tragic and ethereal, bridging the gap between life and the afterlife.

👨‍❤️‍👩 Love 🌊 Migration 👻 Spirit

Ada (Mame Bineta Sane)

Ada is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman caught in the turmoil of love and societal expectations. As she grapples with her feelings for Souleiman and her impending marriage to Omar, her character embodies the struggles of women in her society. She evolves from despair to courage as she confronts both the living and spirits from beyond.

👰‍♀️ Marriage 💔 Heartbreak 🌹 Resilience

Fanta (Aminata Kane)

Fanta serves as Ada's supportive friend, experiencing her own challenges amidst the unrest. Her character reflects the broader impact of grief and mystery within the pulse of Dakar. As she becomes possessed, her journey reveals a deeper connection to the supernatural struggle, symbolizing the bonds of friendship against adversity.

🤝 Friendship 👻 Possession 💕 Support

Omar (Babacar Sylla)

Omar is portrayed as a wealthy man betrothed to Ada, embodying privilege and societal pressure. His character acts as a foil to Souleiman, highlighting the conflicts between love and duty. The fire incident linked to him adds layers of suspicion and intrigue, suggesting the darker sides of wealth and entitlement.

💰 Wealth 🔥 Suspicion ❤️ Love

Detective (Ibrahima Mbaye)

The young detective becomes an unwitting medium for Souleiman's spirit, adding complexity to his character as he navigates the investigation. His journey intertwines personal struggles with professional duty, especially as he grapples with the supernatural consequences of his case. His character arc moves from authority to vulnerability as he confronts haunting realities.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation 👻 Possession 📜 Mystery

Last Updated: December 12, 2024 at 23:07

Major Themes – Atlantics (2019)

Explore the central themes of Atlantics (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌊 Migration

The theme of migration is central to the film, illustrating the desperation of young men like Souleiman who seek better lives far from home. The emotional toll of leaving loved ones behind is palpable through Ada's relationship with Souleiman. The narrative explores the risks and uncertainties associated with seeking a future across the sea.

💔 Love and Loss

Love is a driving force in the story, particularly through Ada's bond with Souleiman. The pain of their separation highlights the depths of her emotional struggle during her wedding to another man. Loss takes on a supernatural element as the spirits of the departed seek resolution, pushing the characters to confront their feelings and desires.

👻 Supernatural

The supernatural theme is vividly illustrated as the spirits of the lost workers return to seek justice. This element intertwines with the earthly struggles of the living, blending a haunting narrative with the social commentary of financial exploitation and the quest for closure. As the spirits possess the living, it reflects the unresolved grievances that echo in the community.

Last Updated: December 12, 2024 at 23:07

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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.

Magical Social Realism Movies like Atlantics

Grounded social issues are explored through a lens of ghostly or magical events.Discover films similar to Atlantics that weave supernatural mystery into powerful social commentary. If you liked the blend of ghostly vengeance and economic hardship in Atlantics, you'll find more movies here where real-world struggles are amplified by magical or paranormal events.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow characters grappling with tangible social problems – migration, class disparity, injustice – which are given a voice or catalyst through supernatural means. A ghost story becomes a story of economic protest; a magical event exposes hidden truths about a community, allowing for a resolution that is both symbolic and emotionally resonant.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a unique narrative approach: they use the supernatural not for pure horror, but as a powerful allegorical tool to deepen and dramatize real-world human struggles, resulting in a tone that is both melancholic and mysteriously hopeful.

Bittersweet Ghost Love Stories like Atlantics

Love transcends death in haunting, melancholic tales of loss and connection.Find movies like Atlantics that explore love from beyond the grave. If you were moved by the haunting reunion and enduring love in Atlantics, this list features similar atmospheric dramas and romances where spirits return to resolve unfinished business with the living.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist mourning a lost lover, whose spirit returns—either visibly or through unexplained phenomena—to communicate, seek justice, or say a final goodbye. The journey is one of grief, mystery, and ultimately, a poignant acceptance, culminating in a reunion that is deeply moving but underscored by the permanence of loss.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core exploration of love after death, sharing a specific emotional palette of yearning, melancholy, and bittersweet resolution. They prioritize mood and atmosphere over horror, creating a deeply romantic and haunting experience centered on the power of enduring connection.

Unlock the Full Story of Atlantics

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

Atlantics Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Atlantics, 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.

Atlantics Summary

Atlantics Timeline

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

Atlantics Timeline

Atlantics Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Atlantics 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.

Atlantics Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Atlantics

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

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