Curvature

Curvature

Year: 2018

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Diego Hallivis

Echo Score: 50
Sci-FiDramaMysteryThriller

A brilliant scientist is propelled into a desperate race against time and space when a mysterious message, seemingly from her own voice, triggers a chain of urgent events. Determined to prevent a brutal murder, she embarks on a perilous journey to alter the course of events, confronting the complexities of time and the potential consequences of changing the past.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Curvature 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!

Timeline & Setting – Curvature (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Curvature (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary, with elements of time travel

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal challenges such as grief and mystery. The characters grapple with the recent death of a loved one, navigating emotional turmoil while also confronting the bizarre elements of time travel that complicate their understanding of reality.

Location

Washington DC, a cabin in the woods

Washington DC serves as a backdrop for much of the movie, noted for its significant political presence and iconic landmarks. However, the presence of skyscrapers indicates a more urban, bustling environment that contrasts with the traditional image of the capital. Additionally, a secluded cabin in the woods becomes pivotal for the unfolding mystery, representing a retreat and a space away from the chaos.

🏙️ City 🌲 Nature

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Main Characters – Curvature (2018)

Meet the key characters of Curvature (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Helen (Lyndsy Fonseca)

Helen is portrayed as a deeply complex character grappling with profound loss and unearthing mystery. Her determination to revisit her husband's work highlights her resilience, even as she grapples with her own fragmented memories. The journey she embarks on showcases her strength in the face of adversity.

💔 Grief 🔍 Investigator 😕 Confused

Wells (Noah Bean)

Wells is a key figure in Helen's life, whose death sets the emotional tone of the film. Through flashbacks and Helen’s memories, he is seen as a supportive partner, driving the narrative while representing a past she struggles to let go of. His character is instrumental in shaping Helen's evolving story.

❤️ Love ⚰️ Deceased 🌌 Past

Florence (Linda Hamilton)

Florence is a guiding figure for Helen, providing her with the opportunity to return to her academic pursuits. Being Helen's college professor, she embodies wisdom and support, encouraging Helen's exploration of her past while also contributing to the mystery's unraveling.

📚 Mentor 🌱 Supportive 🧭 Guiding

Alex (Zach Avery)

Alex serves as both a colleague and ally to Helen in her quest for truth. Initially hesitant about her readiness to investigate, he becomes an integral part of her journey, aiding in the unraveling of conspiracy layers. His character adds both tension and camaraderie to the narrative.

🔍 Ally 🚀 Adventurous 💡 Supportive

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Major Themes – Curvature (2018)

Explore the central themes of Curvature (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Grief

The theme of grief is central to Helen's journey as she deals with the loss of her husband, Wells. Her return to work and attempts to solve the mystery serve as coping mechanisms, highlighting how individuals process their pain in diverse ways. This theme is intertwined with the mystery of her memories and how they affect her current reality.

🔍 Mystery

Curvature delves into a complex mystery involving conspiracy theories and secret government plots. Helen's investigation into her own amnesia and the identity of the mystery caller unfolds a narrative filled with suspense and intrigue. The use of a time machine adds a layer of complexity, blurring the lines between past and present.

🚗 Action

The movie features high-stakes action, including a thrilling car chase that propels the narrative forward. As Helen and Alex evade danger, the action sequences amplify the tension and urgency of their investigation. This blend of action with emotional depth creates a compelling viewing experience.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

Smart time travel thrillers like Curvature

Complex sci-fi puzzles where altering the past becomes a desperate race.If you enjoyed the complex, high-stakes time travel plot of Curvature, you'll find more mind-bending movies like it here. Discover similar sci-fi thrillers where characters race against time, confront paradoxes, and grapple with the heavy consequences of altering reality.

mind-bendingsuspensefuldisorientinganxiousconfusingurgentparadoxical

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically involve a protagonist who receives information from a future self or timeline, triggering a high-pressure mission to prevent a catastrophic event. The plot is structured around unraveling a complex puzzle of cause and effect, often featuring memory loss, mistaken identity, and a constant fear that any small change could have disastrous repercussions.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core premise of time-based manipulation as a central plot driver, combined with a fast pace, high intensity, and a very complex narrative structure. They appeal to viewers who enjoy intellectual challenges and tense, high-concept science fiction.

Sci-fi conspiracy thrillers with emotional weight like Curvature

Personal loss fuels a paranoid journey through a shadowy, deceptive world.For viewers who liked the emotional core of grief and loss in Curvature intertwined with its tense conspiracy plot. This list features movies like Curvature that combine heavy personal drama with suspenseful stories of government schemes, mistaken identity, and psychological manipulation.

melancholicparanoidsuspensefulanxiousgrief-strickendisorientingconspiratorial

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a character coping with significant personal loss, often a recent death, which becomes the motivation for their involvement in a larger, confusing conspiracy. Their emotional fragility and desperation make them unreliable narrators in their own story, blurring the lines between genuine threat and grief-induced paranoia as they are pursued by ambiguous forces.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share a specific emotional mix: a heavy weight of grief propelling a tense, paranoid thriller narrative. The connection lies in the fusion of deep personal sorrow with the mechanics of a conspiracy plot, creating a uniquely stressful and melancholic viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Curvature

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

Curvature Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Curvature, 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.

Curvature Summary

Curvature Timeline

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

Curvature Timeline

Curvature Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Curvature 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.

Curvature Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Curvature

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

Similar Movies to Curvature

Discover movies like Curvature 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.