Braid

Braid

Year: 2019

Runtime: 82 min

Language: English

Director: Mitzi Peirone

MysteryThrillerHorror

In a dark and foreboding estate, two desperate fugitives are drawn into a twisted game of cat-and-mouse with a wealthy and unhinged friend. As they navigate the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, they must confront the true cost of their actions in a deadly dance of deceit and terror that threatens to consume them whole.

Warning: spoilers below!

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

Time period

The events occur in a contemporary setting, reflecting current societal issues such as drug use and mental health. The characters' struggles mirror real-life challenges faced by many young artists, navigating the harsh realities of their lifestyles while grappling with their pasts. The combination of modern themes with a retro narrative of childhood games creates an unsettling atmosphere.

Location

New York, rural mansion

The movie takes place in the bustling city of New York, known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse culture. However, much of the action unfolds in a remote rural mansion, which serves as a haunting backdrop for the characters' twisted game. This mansion is isolated and filled with hidden secrets, amplifying the tension and the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters.

🏙️ City 🏰 Mansion

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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

Daphne Peters (Madeline Brewer)

Daphne is portrayed as a wealthy but deeply unstable character, whose childhood trauma shapes her adult interactions. In the movie, she oscillates between a maternal figure and a manipulative captor, embodying the complexities of mental illness. Her actions, driven by delusion, create a distorted reality for those around her.

👩‍👧‍👧 Motherhood 🥴 Instability 🔒 Manipulation

Petula Thames (Imogen Waterhouse)

Petula is one of the protagonists, a young artist caught in a dangerous web of her own making. Throughout the film, her resourcefulness is tested as she navigates the surreal and perilous circumstances initiated by Daphne. Her character showcases resilience amidst chaos, even as she grapples with fear and power dynamics.

🎨 Artistry 🚨 Survival 🧠 Resilience

Tilda Darlings (Sarah Hay)

Tilda is portrayed as a dependent character who experiences the dark transformations initiated by Daphne. She represents vulnerability, especially during the game's increasingly disturbing scenarios. Her arc reveals a blend of loyalty and fear, culminating in her complicity during the climactic moments of violence.

💔 Vulnerability 🌪️ Chaos 🔗 Loyalty

Detective Siegel (Scott Cohen)

Detective Siegel serves as a link to the outside world, representing authority amidst the chaos of the girls' lives. He embodies the struggle between suspicion and inaction, as his visits to Daphne's mansion are marked by a growing sense of urgency. His character amplifies the tension and foreshadows the tragic consequences of the events.

🚔 Authority ⚖️ Justice 👁️ Observation

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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

🌀 Psychological Manipulation

The theme of psychological manipulation permeates the film as Daphne subverts the dynamic of their childhood game to assert control over Petula and Tilda. This manipulation is vividly manifested through bizarre scenarios and coerced acts that challenge the boundaries of reality. The film explores how trauma and past relationships can distort perceptions and lead to dangerous power plays.

🌪️ Descent into Madness

The descent into madness is a critical theme as Daphne's unstable mental state escalates through the course of the movie. Initially portrayed as a wealthy friend, her behaviors reveal deep-seated psychological issues stemming from childhood trauma. This transformation culminates in a chilling portrayal of how delusion can blur the lines between game and reality, leading to tragic outcomes.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:44

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Discover movies like Braid 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.