Clean

Clean

Year: 2005

Runtime: 90 min

Language: French

Director: Olivier Assayas

DramaMusic

Following a tragic overdose that claims the life of her partner, struggling singer Emily Wang finds her world shattered and her future uncertain. After a period of incarceration, she fights to reclaim her life, striving to regain custody of her young son and reignite her passion for music. The journey is fraught with challenges as she confronts the lingering effects of addiction and grapples with deep regret, attempting to rebuild what she has lost.

Clean (2005) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Clean (2005) 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 a world that feels simultaneously intimate and unrelenting, Emily Wang drifts between the neon‑lit stages of her past and the muted corridors of a life upended by tragedy. Once a vibrant video jockey and aspiring singer, she is bound to a turbulent partnership with the restless rock‑musician Lee Hauser, a relationship that has left both of them teetering on the edge of excess. When an overdose claims Lee, Emily’s world shatters, and the fallout lands her behind bars, leaving the future of her young son, Jay, hanging in a fragile balance.

Released after months of incarceration, Emily confronts a stark reality: custody of Jay rests with Lee’s family, and the streets she once roamed now feel foreign. Seeking a fresh start, she heads to Paris, taking a modest job in a family‑run Chinese restaurant while wrestling with the lingering pull of methadone and the shadows of her former addiction. The city’s elegant veneer contrasts sharply with the gritty routine she must endure, underscoring the inner conflict between the desire to heal and the ever‑present lure of old habits.

The film moves with a measured, patient cadence, allowing the audience to linger on quiet moments of introspection as much as on the occasional burst of music that still stirs within Emily. Its tone is both tender and unsparing, capturing the raw vulnerability of a woman who must navigate grief, legal obstacles, and the weight of motherhood while trying to rediscover the voice that once defined her. The narrative is less about a single turning point and more about the slow, often messy ascent toward redemption.

Through atmospheric visuals and an understated score, the story invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of recovery and the fragile hope that can blossom even in the most desolate of circumstances, leaving Emily’s eventual path as a quiet, compelling question.

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:03

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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 personal redemption like Clean

Stories about characters fighting to rebuild their lives from the ashes of past mistakes.If you were moved by the struggle and hope in Clean, explore more movies like it. This collection features powerful dramas about individuals fighting their demons, seeking sobriety, and striving to rebuild their lives and relationships after hitting rock bottom.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a profound personal collapse or tragedy that serves as a catalyst for change. The story then follows a linear, often difficult path of recovery, confronting past actions and striving for tangible goals like mending relationships or achieving sobriety. The journey is the central focus, emphasizing small victories and setbacks.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core narrative of redemption and a specific emotional mix: a heavy starting point balanced by a persistent, hopeful tone. They prioritize authentic character development over complex plots, creating a cathartic and introspective viewing experience centered on human fallibility and strength.

Emotional mother son relationship dramas like Clean

Emotional stories centered on mothers grappling with immense challenges to protect their families.For viewers who appreciated the central mother-son dynamic in Clean, this list compiles similar movies about fractured families. These dramas explore the powerful bond between a mother and child, often tested by addiction, custody battles, or grief, yet defined by a mother's unwavering fight for redemption and connection.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a mother facing a crisis that threatens her relationship with her child. The plot is driven by her efforts to overcome this obstacle, whether internal (like addiction) or external (like the legal system). The emotional core is the tension between her failings and her fierce desire to be a good parent, leading to a bittersweet resolution that emphasizes effort over easy solutions.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a heavy emotional weight derived from the high stakes of motherhood and family. They blend themes of grief, regret, and unconditional love, typically with a slow, deliberate pace that allows for deep character exploration. The tone is often somber yet underpinned by a thread of hope rooted in maternal devotion.

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Clean Summary

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Clean Summary

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Clean Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Clean

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Clean

More About Clean

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Discover movies like Clean 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.