Bubble

Bubble

Year: 2006

Runtime: 73 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Budget: $1.6M

DramaMysteryCrime

A disturbing murder in a decaying industrial town disrupts the lives of three factory workers, pulling them into a complex investigation. As the police delve deeper, long-held secrets and troubling histories are exposed, threatening to unravel the fragile sense of security they've managed to maintain. Each person is forced to confront their own hidden pasts while navigating the escalating danger surrounding them.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Bubble (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bubble (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set in contemporary times, the film captures a modern, small-town rhythm where people juggle work, family duties, and hidden desires. The characters navigate everyday pressures—from steady factory work to personal obligations—that shape their decisions. The absence of a fixed historical marker grounds the story in a relatable present-day milieu.

Location

Ohio River town

The story unfolds in a small industrial town along the Ohio River, where a doll factory dominates daily life and local routines. The waterfront district and modest neighborhoods give the setting a working-class, down-to-earth feel. Quiet streets and routine labor create a backdrop that amplifies the tension when secrets surface and relationships strain.

🏭 Doll factory town 🌊 River town vibe 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Working-class life

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

Main Characters – Bubble (2006)

Meet the key characters of Bubble (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Martha (Debbie Doebereiner)

A middle-aged, single woman who cares for her elderly father and works at a doll factory. She longs for social connection and becomes increasingly attached to Kyle, treating him as her 'best friend.' Her loneliness drives controlling behavior and a sense of moral possessiveness that foreshadows troubling consequences.

🧑‍🦳 Isolated 🫶 Obsessive attachment 💼 Working-class life

Kyle

A shy, quiet young man in his early 20s who suffers from social anxiety and lives with his TV-obsessed single mother. He is drawn to Rose but remains wary of Martha's intensity, trying to navigate competing affections while keeping his own boundaries.

🫣 Shy 🏠 Complicated home life 📺 Social anxiety

Rose

An attractive, younger woman and mother of a toddler who becomes involved with Kyle while secretly stealing from a client. Her presence sparks competition and danger, as her actions reveal a duplicity that exacerbates the tension between Martha and Kyle.

💃 Alluring 🎭 Deceptive 🗝️ Theft

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

Major Themes – Bubble (2006)

Explore the central themes of Bubble (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Obsession

Martha's fixation on Kyle drives the narrative, portraying how loneliness can morph into controlling attachment. Her attempts to pull Kyle into her world reveal blurred boundaries and an obsession with being needed. The tension grows as Kyle's interest shifts toward Rose, highlighting the danger of possessive affection. The film uses this obsession to explore how desire can distort reality and trigger deadly consequences.

💔 Love Triangle

A fragile love triangle unfolds as Kyle's quiet affection for Rose clashes with Martha's expectation of exclusive closeness. Rose's charm and secret theft create a volatile dynamic that pushes both women toward confrontation. The interplay of rivalry, secrecy, and need exposes the fragility of trust in a small-town setting. The tension culminates in murder, exposing how longing can become cruelty and manipulation.

🕵️ Guilt

The investigation centers on who bears guilt as fingerprints point to Martha while Kyle's silence keeps him under suspicion. The truth remains elusive, wrapped in fear, misdirection, and the town's suspicions. Martha's visions of Rose's body and her own proximity to the crime blur the line between memory and possible guilt. Ultimately, the film leaves the audience questioning whether guilt is a legal verdict or a psychological burden.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:26

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Unlock the Full Story of Bubble

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

Bubble Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bubble, 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.

Bubble Summary

Bubble Timeline

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

Bubble Timeline

More About Bubble

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More About Bubble

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