Babylon

Babylon

Year: 2019

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Franco Rosso

Echo Score: 85
Drama

In 1980s South London, a talented young DJ, Brinsley Forde, strives to realize his musical dreams. However, he faces constant racism and xenophobia from various sources, including his workplace, local community, and even the police, as well as the far-right National Front. The film offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of racial tension during this period, underscored by a vibrant soundtrack of reggae and lovers rock music, featuring contributions from Aswad and other artists.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Babylon 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 – Babylon (2019)

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

Time period

1926-1930s

The film unfolds in the late 1920s, a pivotal time during the transition from silent films to the talkie era. This era was marked by cultural shifts, excess, and the struggles of emerging Hollywood stars as they navigated the complexities of fame and personal challenges. Significant historical events, such as the release of 'The Jazz Singer,' further emphasize the evolution of the film industry during this transformative period.

Location

Bel Air, Hollywood, New Jersey, Mexico, Los Angeles

The movie predominantly takes place in Bel Air, a luxurious neighborhood known for its opulence and celebrity culture. Hollywood serves as the backdrop for the dramatic rise and challenges faced by aspiring stars, while New Jersey represents Nellie’s humble beginnings. As the characters traverse through Mexico and later return to Los Angeles, these settings highlight the contrasts between dreams and reality in the film industry.

🏙️ City 🎬 Film Industry 🌵 Desert

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:39

Main Characters – Babylon (2019)

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

Manuel "Manny" Torres

Manny is a determined and resourceful character who embodies the aspirations of many in the film industry. His quick thinking and adaptability drive much of the story as he navigates the chaos surrounding him. Despite the wild circumstances, Manny yearns for legacy and meaning in filmmaking, reflecting a deeper desire for validation in a changing world.

🚚 Truck Driver 🎬 Aspiring Filmmaker ✨ Resourceful

Nellie LaRoy

Nellie is a passionate and ambitious woman chasing her dream of Hollywood stardom. Her vibrant personality and raw talent make her a captivating figure, yet her struggles with fame reveal her vulnerabilities. As she rises, her inner turmoil and relationship complexities highlight the sacrifices that often accompany success in the film industry.

🎤 Singer 🌟 Rising Star 💔 Complex

Jack Conrad

Jack is a veteran actor facing the challenges of fading fame and tumultuous personal relationships. His struggles with marriage and industry demands reflect the fraught personal cost of a once-thriving career in Hollywood. Jack’s character serves as a reminder of how easily the tides of fortune can shift in showbiz.

🎬 Veteran Actor 💔 Troubled 🌅 Once Famous

Don Wallach

Don is a powerful studio executive whose extravagant parties serve as a microcosm of Hollywood's excess and chaos. He embodies the influence and control wielded by Hollywood moguls during the era, guiding the narrative's depiction of the industry's darker underbelly.

🏢 Studio Executive 💸 Wealthy 🎉 Influential

Lady Fay Zhu

Lady Fay is a charismatic cabaret singer whose enchanting performances capture the spirit of the era. Her presence at key events adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the film, symbolizing the captivating allure of entertainment during the tumultuous 1920s.

🎤 Cabaret Singer 💃 Charismatic 🌟 Enchanting

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:39

Major Themes – Babylon (2019)

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

🌟 Fame

Fame is a central theme, exploring its allure and the price one pays for stardom. Characters like Nellie LaRoy pursue Hollywood dreams while grappling with the pressures and chaos that accompany success. Their journeys reflect the intoxicating yet perilous nature of fame, revealing deep emotional struggles beneath the glamorous surface.

🎭 Identity

The theme of identity deeply resonates throughout the narrative, particularly for Nellie as she fights to maintain her individuality amid Hollywood's demands. The characters often grapple with their true selves versus the personas they project, revealing the inner turmoil that fame can incite. The pressure to conform clashes with personal integrity, making self-identity a poignant aspect of the story.

🎉 Celebration and Chaos

The film juxtaposes celebration with chaos, capturing the vibrant yet tumultuous nature of the 1920s entertainment scene. The extravagant parties depict moments of joy and revelry that quickly deteriorate into disorder, highlighting the dark side of the glamourous lifestyle. This duality forms a critical commentary on the fleeting nature of both joy and the stability of relationships within the industry.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:39

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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.

Frenetic Rise and Fall stories like Babylon

Stories of ambitious characters destroyed by the very decadence they embrace.If you enjoyed the chaotic energy and tragic arcs of Babylon, explore more movies like it. This collection features fast-paced dramas about ambition and fame set against the backdrop of decadent, transformative periods, where characters experience dizzying highs and devastating lows.

freneticdecadentmelancholicchaoticnostalgicrawanxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a meteoric rise fueled by raw talent and ambition, set within a vividly portrayed, hedonistic era. This ascent is paralleled by a steep, often self-inflicted fall, as the characters succumb to the pressures, vices, and systemic flaws of their world, culminating in a melancholic reflection on lost glory.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared high-intensity pacing, dark tone, and focus on the inseparable link between dizzying success and brutal collapse within a specific, decadent historical context. They deliver a heavy emotional weight through chaotic, immersive experiences.

Raw stories of artistic ambition like Babylon

Gritty journeys of creators fighting systemic barriers to pursue their art.For viewers who appreciated Babylon's portrayal of battling prejudice to make art, this list highlights similar movies. Discover powerful dramas about talented individuals facing systemic racism and industry brutality while chasing their creative dreams, resulting in heavy, emotionally resonant stories.

rawoppressiveanxiousmelancholicgrittyintenseunflinching

Narrative Summary

The central narrative follows a gifted artist or creator whose passion and talent are constantly challenged by external systemic prejudices—be it racism, classism, or a cutthroat establishment. The journey is less about a simple rise to fame and more about the relentless, often bitter struggle for recognition and integrity against overwhelming odds.

Why These Movies?

These films share a heavy emotional weight, a raw and oppressive mood, and a complex exploration of themes like racial tension and artistic legacy. They are united by their dark tone and focus on the profound personal cost of ambition within an unjust system.

Unlock the Full Story of Babylon

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

Babylon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Babylon, 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.

Babylon Summary

Babylon Timeline

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

Babylon Timeline

Babylon Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Babylon? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Babylon Ending Explained

Babylon Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Babylon 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.

Babylon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Babylon

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