Choke

Choke

Year: 2008

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

DramaComedy

A darkly comedic drama follows Victor Mancini, a sex-addicted med-school dropout struggling to support his emotionally unstable mother. He works a mundane job re-enacting colonial history while secretly feigning choking to receive money from wealthy individuals. As he navigates this deceptive lifestyle and complex relationships, a surprising revelation about his mother and the identity of his father forces him to confront uncomfortable truths and unravel a web of secrets.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Choke 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!

Choke (2008) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Choke (2008), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Victor Mancini, played by Sam Rockwell, is a sex addict working as a reenactor of life in Colonial America. He partners with his best friend, Denny, portrayed by Brad William Henke, who is also a reformed sex addict. In order to financially support his mother, who is currently hospitalized and under the care of Anjelica Huston, Victor resorts to a rather unorthodox method: he deliberately chokes in restaurants to elicit sympathy and monetary donations from those who come to his aid.

While visiting his mother one day, Victor encounters Paige Marshall, played by Kelly Macdonald, who informs him that his mother’s condition is deteriorating. She offers a glimmer of hope through an experimental stem cell procedure, which necessitates harvesting cells from the umbilical cord of a newborn that shares Victor’s genetic material. Paige persuades him to sleep with her in order to conceive a child to save his mother.

Haunted by the absence of his father and eager to uncover the truth about his lineage, Victor seeks answers from his mother. However, each visit proves frustrating, as she fails to recognize him. In a twist of fate, he enlists Denny to pose as him and glean information from her. Denny reveals that Victor’s mother maintained a diary, which Victor discovers, albeit written in Italian. Thankful for Paige’s help, Victor is relieved to learn that she can read the language and agrees to translate it for him.

Attempts at intimacy with Paige are met with frustration, as Victor finds himself unable to maintain an erection. Confiding in Denny leads him to realize he has deeper feelings for Paige. In an unexpected revelation, Paige shares a bizarre story about Victor’s mother potentially fleeing Italy after stealing Jesus’ foreskin, proposing that he was conceived using those very cells, making him the second coming. Torn between disbelief and belief, Victor ultimately succumbs to the idea.

The course of events takes a tragic turn when, after finally being recognized by his mother, she confesses to having stolen him as a baby, leaving him in the dark about his true lineage. Tragedy strikes as Victor inadvertently chokes his mother while offering her chocolate pudding, leading to her death.

In a shocking twist, as Paige attempts to resuscitate Victor’s mother, a hidden band around his mother’s wrist reveals that she is not a doctor, but rather a hospital patient herself. Paige confesses she has been in a catatonic state for years but has come to love Victor through the stories shared by his mother. Although she wore a white coat to calm herself, as a former medical student, her true role becomes clear when she decides to check herself out of the hospital without saying goodbye to Victor.

Following his mother’s funeral, Victor finds himself on a plane, only to have the bathroom door swing open, revealing Paige stepping in to join him.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:51

Unlock the Full Story of Choke

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

Choke Timeline

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

Choke Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Choke

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Choke. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Choke

More About Choke

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

Similar Movies to Choke

Discover movies like Choke 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.