Born in Flames

Born in Flames

Year: 1983

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Lizzie Borden

Science FictionDrama

In near-future New York, ten years after the “social-democratic war of liberation,” diverse groups of women organize a feminist uprising as equality remains unfulfilled.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Born in Flames 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 – Born in Flames (1983)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Born in Flames (1983). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

10th anniversary of a peaceful socialist-democratic revolution

The narrative unfolds in a near-contemporary setting that marks the tenth anniversary of a socialist-democratic revolution. Activist groups stage pirate radio broadcasts to mobilize women across the city. The period is characterized by state surveillance, police response, and bold, direct-action tactics by women.

Location

New York City, World Trade Center, NYC Airport

New York City serves as a dense urban backdrop for a sprawling feminist movement. The action moves between radio studios, the streets, and iconic locations like an airport and the World Trade Center antenna, illustrating the scale of the conflict. The city is depicted as a tense arena where women organize, broadcast, and resist oppressive structures.

🗽 New York City 🗺️ Urban setting 🎭 Activism

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

Main Characters – Born in Flames (1983)

Meet the key characters of Born in Flames (1983), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Isabel (Adele Bertei)

Isabel is an outspoken white lesbian who leads Radio Ragazza. She uses bold rhetoric and sharp analysis to broadcast feminist ideas to a wide urban audience. She initially resists joining Honey's Phoenix Radio, but her politics align with the movement as the city faces escalating oppression.

🎗️ Feminist 📻 Radio Activist 🗽 Activist

Honey

Honey is an African-American organizer who runs Phoenix Radio and initially resists joining the more militant activism. Her steady, principled presence helps sustain the movement as it broadens its reach in the city. Eventually, she teams up with Isabel and pushes the activism into direct action.

🎀 Black Feminist 📻 Radio Activist 🕊️ Grassroots Organizer

Adelaide Norris (Jean Satterfield)

Adelaide Norris is a world-traveling political activist who is arrested on arrival at a New York City airport and dies in police custody. Her arrest and mysterious death catalyze the movement, triggering protests and intensified FBI scrutiny. She becomes the spark that connects the radio stations, the women’s army, and broader resistance.

🧭 Activist 🌍 Global Activist ⚖️ Injustice

Hilary Hurst (Hilary/Hillary Hurst)

Hilary Hurst leads the Women's Army and directs direct-action campaigns in the city, advising by Zella. She embodies pragmatic militancy and coalition-building, pushing the movement toward bold confrontations with authorities.

🥇 Leader ⚔️ Direct Action 🎖️ Militant Tactics

Zella Wylie (Florynce Kennedy)

Zella is an elderly theorist and mentor who shapes strategy and ideology for younger activists. She provides historical context, guidance, and a consistent moral compass for the movement.

🧭 Mentor 🗝️ Strategist 👵 Elder

Woman from Ragazza (Pat Place)

A member of Radio Ragazza who participates in meetings, posters, and broadcasts to mobilize women. She embodies grassroots organizing and the intertwined culture of art and activism.

🎭 Supporting Character 📻 Radio Activist 🤝 Ally

Woman from Ragazza (Julia Hanlon)

Another Ragazza member who contributes to activism through organization and broadcasting. She helps keep the movement connected across different neighborhoods.

🎭 Supporting Character 🌐 Community Organizer 📣 Voice

Rape Victim (Merián Soto)

A woman who experiences a brutal assault on the streets, highlighting the violence women face daily. Her experience fuels the movement's urgency and emphasizes the personal cost of gender-based aggression.

🎗️ Survivor 🕊️ Trauma ⚖️ Injustice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

Major Themes – Born in Flames (1983)

Explore the central themes of Born in Flames (1983), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

♀️ Feminism

The film centers on women of different backgrounds who unite to challenge everyday sexism and structural inequality. It follows meetings, posters, radio broadcasts, and art as tools for change. The narrative argues that gender oppression is systemic and requires collective action, even when opponents label it terrorism.

📻 Media Activism

Pirate radio stations become the official voice of resistance, bypassing mainstream media and government censorship. They reveal injustices, amplify marginalized voices, and mobilize communities. The film shows the risks of broadcasting dissent in a surveillance state, including arson and arrests. Through on-air rhetoric, the movement connects disparate groups toward shared goals.

⚖️ Oppression & Resistance

The story highlights violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and government oppression. It depicts how state power chasing activists creates a climate of fear while communities respond with solidarity. The culminating actions show both the costs and the urgency of resisting entrenched inequality.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:02

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Born in Flames

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

Born in Flames Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Born in Flames, 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.

Born in Flames Summary

Born in Flames Timeline

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

Born in Flames Timeline

More About Born in Flames

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Born in Flames: 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 Born in Flames

Similar Movies to Born in Flames

Discover movies like Born in Flames 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.