Cool World

Cool World

Year: 1992

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Ralph Bakshi

FantasyComedyAnimation

A writer finds himself pulled into Cool World, a surreal realm populated by eccentric cartoon characters, where he's the only human. Years later, an artist is drawn into the same world, fueled by his artistic ambitions and a connection with the captivating Holli Would. As the boundaries between their realities blur, they must confront the dangerous consequences of mixing these disparate worlds.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cool World 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!

Cool World (1992) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Cool World (1992), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The film intricately weaves together two distinct realms: the tangible world we inhabit and the vibrant Cool World, filled with animated beings known as “doodles.” The story unfolds in 1945 Las Vegas, where Frank Harris (played by Brad Pitt), a returning GI, reunites with his mother. However, tragedy strikes when a motorcycle accident leads to her untimely death. Overwhelmed with grief and haunted by visions, Frank finds himself drifting into the animated Cool World.

Fast forward to 1992, and we meet Jack Deebs, portrayed by Gabriel Byrne, who is serving time for the murder of a man caught in a compromising situation with his wife. During his imprisonment, Jack is frequently visited by hallucinations of Cool World and its alluring inhabitant, Holli Would, played by Kim Basinger. To cope with his circumstances, Jack channels his experiences into a comic series that draws inspiration from his vivid visions of this animated universe.

Upon his release and return to Las Vegas, Jack is unexpectedly pulled into the whimsical realm of Cool World, where Holli harbors the desire to engage with him intimately in hopes of transforming into a real human. However, such relationships are strictly forbidden in Cool World, as they could endanger the boundary separating the two dimensions. As events unfold, Frank’s mission alongside his doodle ally, Nails, revolves around preventing any illicit interactions that could destabilize their worlds.

As the plot thickens, it becomes apparent that Frank has developed feelings for Lonette, a seductive animated waitress, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. In a fateful twist, Jack and Holli’s union results in her transformation into a noid—actual human form. The repercussions of their actions ripple through both worlds, leading to moments where they morph into grotesque doodle forms.

In a climactic turn, Holli discovers the Golden Spike of Power, a vital element that upholds the balance between dimensions, but her attempts to reclaim her doodle form unleash chaotic creatures into the real world. Jack undergoes a metamorphosis into a powerful humanoid doodle as he strives to restore the spike to its rightful place. In this tumultuous finale, Frank sacrifices himself in an effort to halt Holli, only to find rebirth as a doodle, allowing him to pursue a romantic connection with Lonette. Amidst the fantastical chaos, Jack is left to navigate his new life in the Cool World, with hopes of marrying Holli while confronting the unpredictable nature of their intertwined fates.

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 at 08:29

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Movies about forbidden reality crossover like Cool World

When boundaries between worlds shatter, unleashing chaos and transgressive passions.If you enjoyed the chaotic collision of worlds and themes of forbidden desire in Cool World, explore these movies. This list features similar stories where dimensional boundaries are broken, leading to surreal consequences and dark, fantastical narratives about obsession and transformation.

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Narrative Summary

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These films are grouped by their core premise of volatile reality crossover and the exploration of transgressive themes. They share a dark, surreal tone, high narrative intensity, and a focus on the dangerous allure of crossing forbidden boundaries, creating a cohesive experience of fantastical chaos.

Surreal animated and live-action hybrid movies like Cool World

Animated worlds and live-action characters clash in bizarre, adult-oriented fantasies.Fans of the unique visual style and adult themes of Cool World will appreciate these surreal hybrid movies. Discover similar films that mix animation and live-action to create fantastical, often dark and erotic, narratives that explore the friction between different states of reality.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a human character, often an artist or an outsider, being pulled into a fully realized animated universe with its own rules. This world challenges their perception and desires, leading to a conflict that hinges on the very nature of their interaction with this fantastical space. The story uses the visual contrast between the two mediums to heighten the sense of dislocation, danger, and surrealism.

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These movies are united by their distinctive visual approach and the thematic weight they assign to the animation/live-action divide. They share a fantastical yet dark mood, using the hybrid format not just for gags but to explore mature themes of creation, desire, and identity within a surreal framework.

Unlock the Full Story of Cool World

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Cool World Timeline

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Cool World Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cool World

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cool World

Cool World Spoiler-Free Summary

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Cool World Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Cool World

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