Folks

Folks

Year: 2012

Runtime: 19 mins

Language: French

Director: Frédéric Guelaff

The film offers a glimpse into the lives of several characters over two days, inviting the audience to piece together their backgrounds and connections. It follows a lonely and somewhat pitiable man, a woman struggling with a monotonous existence, and a young actress searching for love and fulfillment. The narrative explores their individual journeys and hints at a deeper, underlying story.

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Timeline & Setting – Folks (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Folks (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern family life, work pressures, and financial uncertainty. It portrays a world where caregiving, career risk, and sudden moral quandaries intersect in everyday settings. The timeframe grounds the drama in current social and economic realities.

Location

Suburban family home, Countryside residence

Primarily set in a quiet, middle-class suburban home that becomes a pressure cooker as relatives move in. The story later shifts to a countryside house as the family searches for stability. The settings reflect a contrast between domestic sanctuary and the financial and moral turmoil that unfolds.

🏡 Suburban 🗺️ United States

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:34

Main Characters – Folks (2012)

Meet the key characters of Folks (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jon Aldrich

A successful stockbroker whose orderly life begins to unravel after his father’s dementia and a cascade of professional upheaval. He tries to shield his family, but his efforts backfire as finances tighten and rumors threaten his job. As the pressure mounts, he questions his grip on reality while desperately seeking a way to keep the family afloat.

💼 Professional 🧠 Stressed 🏠 Family-first

Audrey Aldrich

Jon’s wife, overwhelmed by the mounting crisis and the impact on her children. She leaves with the kids at a point, then returns to support the family as they navigate a collapsing home life. Her resilience and commitment anchor the family, even as she grapples with the moral complexities surrounding the situation.

💪 Resilient 💔 Strained 🏡 Domestic

Harry Aldrich

The elderly father with dementia whose erratic behavior endangers the family. His memory lapses and reckless decisions spark dangerous incidents, including a car accident that injures Jon. His whispered references to wealth foreshadow a hidden fortune tied to long-ago investments, complicating everyone’s choices.

👴 Elderly 🌀 Deteriorating ⚠️ Hazardous

Mildred

Harry’s wife, whose involvement in an insurance scheme reveals the extent of moral compromise in the family. Her alliance with Harry to manipulate circumstances underscores the ethical turbulence that surrounds the crisis. Her actions heighten the risk to all and intensify the drive toward a volatile resolution.

🎭 Scheming 💰 Insurance 🗝️ Secretive

Arlene

Jon’s sister, self-centered and volatile, who returns with two demanding adult sons seeking shelter and a windfall. She becomes entwined in the illicit plot, bringing new loyalties and pressures to the fore. Her presence destabilizes the fragile balance and accelerates the family’s moral testing.

🔥 Energetic 🎯 Demanding 🧭 Unpredictable

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:34

Major Themes – Folks (2012)

Explore the central themes of Folks (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏠 Family Crisis

The film centers on a family under siege by illness, financial strain, and rising tensions. It explores how caregiving responsibilities and protective instincts clash with practical needs and personal ambitions. Relationships fray as secrets and external pressures mount, testing loyalty and endurance. The story ultimately probes what a family will sacrifice to stay together.

💰 Financial Risk

A shadow of financial peril looms as the stockbroker's company is entangled in illicit activity. The prospect of an insurance windfall amplifies greed and desperation among the characters. Economic collapse bleeds into domestic life, forcing difficult decisions and moral compromises. The plot twists reveal how money can both threaten and salvage a family.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Characters confront a dangerous plan to exploit an insurance payout, challenging notions of right and wrong. The tension between self-preservation and family duty drives pivotal choices. As loyalties shift, the group must decide whether to intervene or risk ruin for all involved. The climax reframes what justice and mercy mean within a fractured household.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:34

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Folks Summary

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Folks Summary

Folks Timeline

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Folks Timeline

Folks Spoiler-Free Summary

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Folks Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Folks

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