Clean and Sober

Clean and Sober

Year: 1988

Runtime: 124 mins

Language: English

Director: Glenn Gordon Caron

Drama

Over the course of thirty intense days, high‑powered real‑estate salesman Daryl’s cocaine addiction spirals out of control. After embezzling his firm’s funds, he awakens beside an overdose victim and, fearing police, checks into an anonymous rehabilitation program. Guided by the steady counselor Craig, Daryl confronts his dependence, forms a bond with fellow patient Charlie, and gradually embraces a sober, hopeful future.

Clean and Sober (1988) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Clean and Sober (1988) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling streets of Philadelphia, a suave real‑estate salesman thrives on high stakes and high pressure, his polished exterior masking a restless craving that fuels both his ambition and his downfall. The city’s relentless pace mirrors his own frantic rhythm, a world where success is measured in deals closed and the next rush chased in the shadows of glittering office towers. Beneath the crisp suits and polished presentations lies a spiraling dependence that threatens to unravel everything he has built.

When the fragile balance tips, he finds himself searching for an escape that promises anonymity and a chance to reset. A discreet thirty‑day rehabilitation program becomes his refuge, a stark contrast to the corporate corridors he knows so well. Within its walls, the atmosphere shifts from cut‑throat negotiations to the quiet, methodical work of confronting inner demons, setting a tone that is both tense and oddly hopeful.

Guided by the steady hand of Craig, a seasoned counselor whose calm authority cuts through denial, the newcomer begins to see that breaking old patterns means forging new ones. The program introduces him to a community of fellow travelers on the road to sobriety, among them Charlie, a steel‑working woman whose own struggles create an unexpected bond. Their interactions hint at fragile connections forming in a place where vulnerability is both a risk and a lifeline.

The film lingers on the uneasy marriage of gritty realism and introspective drama, inviting viewers to wonder whether a month of disciplined routine can truly reshape a life accustomed to excess. It paints a portrait of a man teetering between collapse and renewal, set against the backdrop of a city that never sleeps and a rehabilitation house where every day offers a new chance to choose a different path.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:49

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about rock bottom redemption like Clean and Sober

Stories of profound personal collapse leading to a grueling but hopeful road to recovery.If you liked the tough but hopeful journey in Clean and Sober, explore these movies about characters facing their darkest hour. These films follow similar stories of addiction, self-destruction, and the difficult path to redemption, offering gritty dramas with emotional weight and cathartic endings.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a linear path: a character's life spirals out of control due to addiction, crime, or other personal failings, culminating in a catastrophic 'rock bottom' event. The core of the story is the arduous, often institutional, process of facing consequences, accepting help, and slowly rebuilding a life, culminating in a hopeful but scarred resolution.

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Movies in this thread are united by their focus on a specific, intense character arc—from total collapse to fragile recovery. They share a dark tone balanced by a redemptive core, a steady pacing that allows for deep character study, and a heavy emotional weight that makes the final hope feel earned and authentic.

Gritty character studies in crisis similar to Clean and Sober

Intense, inward-focused dramas where characters are trapped by their own circumstances.Find more movies like Clean and Sober that deliver a gritty, intense character study. These similar films create a claustrophobic feel, focusing on a protagonist's internal battle during a life-altering crisis, often within the confines of a rehab facility, prison, or their own self-destructive patterns.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is less about external plot and more about chronicling a character's internal state under duress. The story unfolds in a contained setting or a focused timeframe, applying relentless pressure that forces the protagonist to confront ugly truths about themselves. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to feel the weight of each moment and decision.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared immersive and intense vibe. They prioritize a somber, anxious mood and a steady, sometimes uncomfortable, pacing that makes you feel the character's confinement. The high emotional intensity and straightforward focus on a single character's painful transformation create a cohesive viewing experience.

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Clean and Sober Summary

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Clean and Sober Summary

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Clean and Sober Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Clean and Sober

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Clean and Sober

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