Contact

Contact

Year: 1997

Runtime: 150 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Budget: $90M

Sci-FiDramaMysteryThriller

Jason finds his world unraveling when his loved one vanishes without a trace. Driven by desperation, he embarks on a relentless search for answers. As he investigates, the lines between reality and illusion become increasingly blurred, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew. The search plunges him into a bewildering journey where the familiar transforms into the unknown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Contact (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Contact (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1990s

The movie is set in the 1990s, a decade during which the world experienced immense technological advancements and growing interest in space exploration. It was a time marked by both optimism and skepticism regarding the potential existence of extraterrestrial life and the implications of such a discovery for humanity.

Location

Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico, Very Large Array, New Mexico, Kennedy Space Center, Japan

The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is renowned for its large radio telescope, which is pivotal in the search for extraterrestrial signals. The Very Large Array in New Mexico is another significant facility that supports advanced astrophysical research. The Kennedy Space Center, located in Florida, symbolizes human ambition in space exploration, serving as a launchpad for monumental missions. In Japan, the discovery of a second machine presents an opportunity for global cooperation in understanding the universe.

🏞️ Observatory 🌌 Space 🏗️ Construction

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

Main Characters – Contact (1997)

Meet the key characters of Contact (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster)

Dr. Ellie Arroway is a determined scientist devoted to the search for extraterrestrial life. Her passion for her work stems from her father's influence, driving her to overcome skepticism and challenges in her quest. Throughout the film, Ellie embodies logical reasoning yet grapples with emotional and spiritual dilemmas.

👩‍🔬 Scientist 🌟 Determined 💔 Complex

Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey)

Palmer Joss is a Christian philosopher and Ellie's love interest, who brings a contrasting perspective to her scientific worldview. His belief in the intersection of faith and technology challenges Ellie to confront her own views. Palmer's character oscillates between support and doubt, reflecting the complexities of love and belief.

💔 Philosopher 🔄 Supportive 🤔 Skeptical

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

Major Themes – Contact (1997)

Explore the central themes of Contact (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌌 Exploration

The theme of exploration is central to 'Contact,' showcasing humanity's unyielding desire to understand the universe. Dr. Ellie Arroway embodies this quest, driven by scientific curiosity and the hope of connecting with other life forms. The film posits that exploration can foster connections, both with the cosmos and within human relationships.

🕊️ Faith vs. Science

The film navigates the complex relationship between faith and science, as Ellie grapples with her atheism against Palmer's spiritual beliefs. This theme plays out through their interactions and presents a commentary on how humanity seeks meaning in the unknown. It illustrates the struggle to reconcile personal belief systems with empirical evidence.

🎭 Love and Relationships

The exploration of love and relationships is crucial to the narrative, especially through Ellie's connection with Palmer. Their dynamic showcases the tension between personal convictions and the complexities of relationships when faced with existential questions. It highlights how love can evolve amid challenges and differing worldviews.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

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Explore Movie Threads

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 science and faith like Contact

Stories where the quest for cosmic truth collides with personal conviction.If you liked Contact's exploration of science vs. religion and the search for meaning in the cosmos, you'll appreciate these similar sci-fi dramas. These movies blend intellectual rigor with deep questions of belief, featuring characters on transformative journeys of discovery.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically center on a discovery or event that challenges the established understanding of reality. The protagonist, often a scientist or skeptic, embarks on a quest that pits empirical evidence against intuitive or spiritual truths, leading to a crisis of belief and a redefinition of what it means to know something.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core thematic conflict between science and faith, a contemplative and awe-inspiring tone, and a focus on intellectual and emotional discovery. They appeal to viewers who enjoy thought-provoking stories about humanity's place in the universe.

Movies about isolated truth-seekers like Contact

A solitary protagonist's transformative discovery is met with public doubt and isolation.Fans of Contact's story about Ellie Arroway's lonely quest will find similar themes in these films. Discover other movies featuring protagonists who hold a difficult truth that isolates them, focusing on the emotional weight of being the sole witness to a paradigm-shifting event.

lonelymelancholictensebittersweetintellectualquest for truthisolated

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a dedicated individual who uncovers a truth that is difficult, dangerous, or impossible to verify. Their struggle shifts from the initial discovery to the psychological and social battle of being disbelieved, forcing them to stand alone in their conviction, often leading to a bittersweet victory.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by the powerful emotional arc of a protagonist whose world-altering experience is met with skepticism. They share a tone of melancholy and intellectual loneliness, a steady pacing that builds to a personal crisis of faith, and a bittersweet resolution where truth is personal, not public.

Unlock the Full Story of Contact

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

Contact Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Contact, 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.

Contact Summary

Contact Timeline

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

Contact Timeline

Contact Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Contact 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.

Contact Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Contact

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

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