Year: 1989
Runtime: 109 mins
Language: English
Director: Joel Schumacher
Love at first sight. Consequences to follow. Two couples go to a mutual friend’s wedding and end up swapping partners.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Cousins (1989), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Larry Kozinski Ted Danson and Maria Hardy Isabella Rossellini meet at the wedding that ties their families together: Larry’s uncle Phil George Coe weds Edie Norma Aleandro, Maria’s widowed mother. The couple quickly strike up a conversation and realize that both of their spouses, Tish Kozinski Sean Young and Tom Hardy William Petersen, are missing. When Tom and Tish reappear, Tom explains that he was showing Tish a car and it broke down; he insists he intends to end his indiscretions, though a later visit suggests otherwise. Tish remains wary, but the tension between the two is undeniable.
Not long afterward, Phil dies suddenly during a large family gathering. Phil’s brother Vince Lloyd Bridges arrives for the funeral and is immediately drawn to Edie, setting the stage for a fragile tension between longing and loyalty.
A few weeks later, Maria meets with Larry to discuss the affair between Tish and Tom. Larry starts off calm, but his anger soon flares as he navigates the tangled web of marriages. Maria admits she had lunch with Larry, knowing it would upset Tom, and the two decide to keep their relationship light, yet their chemistry repeatedly pulls them back toward each other. They stage a chance encounter at a restaurant where Edie, Vince, and Mitch Kozinski Keith Coogan are in attendance, a scene that feels both charged and reckless.
Over time, Larry and Maria realize they are in love. They eventually consummate their relationship. Maria returns home late and confronts Tom, admitting her true feelings for Larry. Tom phones Larry’s house and threatens him. Vince answers the call and momentarily mistakes it for a message from beyond the grave, warning him away from Edie. The tension at home intensifies as Tish leaves Tom and the couple’s complicated triangle grows more painful.
Maria learns Chloe Katharine Isabelle has been instigating fights at school as a way to deal with the turmoil at home. Realizing she must choose her priorities, Maria ends the affair to devote herself to Chloe and her marriage.
Meanwhile, Vince suggests to Larry that he should pursue happiness, while he confesses his own love for Edie. At Vince and Edie’s wedding, Larry spots Maria and asks her to dance, sparking a moment of hope. Tom overhears and warns that he could walk away. Maria ultimately chooses to be with Larry.
Finally, the film closes with an epilogue: Larry and Maria sail away with their children, living the dream they built together after a storm of jealousy, secrets, and family loyalties.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:24
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.
Stories where finding true love means painfully dismantling existing lives.Movies like Cousins that center on characters who find profound, life-altering love outside their existing commitments. These stories capture the tense, bittersweet reality of partner swapping and second chances, blending hopeful endings with the melancholy of broken ties. If you liked the romantic but complicated journey in Cousins, you'll find similar emotional depth here.
The narrative follows characters trapped in unsatisfying relationships who encounter a powerful, forbidden attraction. The central conflict is moral and emotional, pitting duty and guilt against the pursuit of genuine happiness. The journey involves a painful transition, often impacting a wider circle of family and friends, but culminates in a hopeful resolution for the new couple.
These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the bittersweet nature of transformative love. They balance the high-stakes drama of infidelity with a steady, character-driven pace, ensuring the emotional weight feels earned. The tone consistently mixes melancholic tension with hopeful passion.
Character-driven explorations of marriage under pressure, explored without rush.If you liked the realistic portrayal of marital strife and family dysfunction in Cousins, this collection features similar movies. These dramas use a steady pace to explore the emotional fallout of infidelity and forbidden love, focusing on character depth over fast-paced plot twists. Find more movies that thoughtfully examine relationships under pressure.
Stories in this thread typically unfold in a realistic domestic setting, focusing on the gradual erosion or transformation of a primary relationship. The plot is driven by internal conflict and dialogue, rather than external action. The pacing allows for quiet reflection, deepening the audience's understanding of each character's perspective and the consequences of their choices.
They are united by a specific vibe: a serious but not overwhelming look at adult relationships, delivered with a steady, deliberate rhythm. This combination of medium emotional weight, steady pacing, and a focus on marital issues creates a cohesive viewing experience for those interested in mature, character-centric stories.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Cousins 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 Cousins is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Cousins with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cousins. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cousins 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.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cousins: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Cousins 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.
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