Chance

Chance

Year: 2002

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

DramaComedy

A black comedy following Chance, a sexually aggressive young woman who believes everyone is searching for true love. In her frantic quest for “the one,” she bumbles from one awkward encounter to another, surrounded by unsuitable suitors and the mystery of a dead girl from Manchester. She must sift the chaos to discover which man is right for her.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Chance (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Chance (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events unfold in a contemporary urban milieu, where dating and casual encounters color romantic expectations. The narrative relies on a non-linear structure with flashbacks, reflecting how memory shapes present choices. The tone is intimate, raw, and attuned to personal relationships in a modern city.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Set in modern Los Angeles, the film uses its urban landscape as a backdrop for casual dating, late-night conversations, and shared apartments. The city’s sprawling, sun-drenched setting contrasts with the characters’ intimate chaos. The apartment Chance and Simon share becomes a microcosm for dependence, deception, and fragile affection.

🌆 Urban 🎬 City Life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

Main Characters – Chance (2002)

Meet the key characters of Chance (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chance (Amber Benson)

Chance is a twenty-something slacker living in Los Angeles who relies on a trust fund and shares an apartment with Simon. She spins lies and uses a practiced charm to manage relationships, especially with her mother and potential lovers. Beneath her flirtatious surface, she grapples with commitment and the fear of being emotionally exposed.

💞 Romance 🧭 Independence 🧠 Inner conflict

Simon (James Marsters)

Simon is Chance's roommate and an unsuccessful telemarketer who is self-conscious about his body odor. He schemes to influence Chance's social circle and finances while craving true human connection. His guarded exterior slowly gives way to genuine feeling as the plot unfolds.

🧠 Insecurity 🤝 Relationship dynamics 💬 Communication

Rory (Rayder Woods)

Rory is a struggling soap opera actor who had a one-night stand with Chance and pursues a deeper connection that Chance resists. He comes across as emotionally earnest and vulnerable, seeking more than casual sex. His presence unsettles Chance and highlights her commitment fears.

💬 Emotional honesty 🎭 Industry life 💞 Vulnerability

Desiree (Christine Estabrook)

Desiree is Chance's mother who plans to visit and ultimately reveals that she is leaving Chance's father. She tries to orchestrate family dynamics and tests whether Chance can handle real upheaval. Her visit exposes the fragility of traditional family roles and the longing for stability.

👩‍👧 Family 🗣 Communication 🌀 Change

Malcolm (Jeff Ricketts)

Malcolm is Chance's father who is in a relationship with Heidi and denies sexual betrayal while acknowledging that attractions can come and go. He embodies the tension between commitment and evolving desires. His dialogue reveals the complexities of love and loyalty within a modern relationship.

💑 Commitment 🧭 Ambiguity 🗯 Conversation

Heidi (Lara Wickes)

Heidi is Malcolm's partner who is drawn to Rory after their first meeting and is a viewer of the soap that drives Rory's career. She becomes entangled in the family drama and embodies openness to unconventional choices. Her curiosity about romance and fidelity adds strain to the household dynamics.

💬 Curiosity 🎭 Drama 🌿 Open relationships

Jack (Andy Hallett)

Jack is a nightclub-goer who recognizes Simon and, despite being gay, sometimes has sex with women because he needs human contact. He provides a blunt perspective on intimacy and authenticity. His conversation with Simon helps illuminate the search for connection beyond labels.

🌗 Identity 🍸 Nightlife 🤝 Connection

Sara (Tressa DiFiglia)

Sara is the woman Chance brings home who shares the bed with Chance and Simon and later appears after an apparent drug incident. She survives the event, leaving Chance to reflect on risk and responsibility in relationships. Her presence catalyzes the evolving dynamic between Chance and Simon.

💊 Risk 🧪 Consequences 💞 Encounter

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

Major Themes – Chance (2002)

Explore the central themes of Chance (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Romance

Chance and Simon navigate messy, evolving relationships that blur friendship and attraction. The film explores how desire can both connect and hurt, especially when trust is leveraged for self-protection. Romantic entanglements are tested by deception, financial worries, and family tension, revealing how much risk people take for closeness.

🧭 Identity

Identity is fluid for Chance and Simon, who improvise roles to protect themselves and to test whether they can trust each other. Rory reveals insecurities about connection and performance, challenging the boundaries of romance. The characters’ self-presentation and choices expose how personal identity is negotiated within friendships and dating.

💰 Money

Chance’s trust fund and the financial pressures of adult life frame many choices and power dynamics in the relationships. Money becomes a tool that enables freedom but also creates vulnerability, shaping when and how characters reveal their true selves. The film uses economic independence to question whether comfort erodes authenticity or simply covers it.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

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Movies about awkwardly endearing journeys like Chance

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Narratives in this thread typically involve an unconventional protagonist navigating the dating world, surrounded by a cast of eccentric characters. The plot intertwines romantic pursuits with broader, often chaotic personal struggles, using deadpan humor to explore themes of connection without falling into sentimentality.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their unique blend of romantic themes with a specific type of comedic tone—one that is witty, observational, and embraces awkwardness. They share a moderate pacing, a focus on character-driven chaos, and a happy yet earned resolution for their unconventional leads.

Unlock the Full Story of Chance

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

Chance Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Chance, 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.

Chance Summary

Chance Timeline

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

Chance Timeline

Chance Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Chance 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.

Chance Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Chance

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

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