Four Good Days

Four Good Days

Year: 2021

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Rodrigo García

Echo Score: 66
Drama

A woman battling addiction, Molly, seeks help from her estranged mother, Deb. As Molly desperately tries to find redemption, Deb is forced to confront her own painful past and the possibility of saving her daughter from the destructive cycle of heroin addiction. Their complicated relationship is tested as they face the harsh realities of recovery and the lasting impact of trauma.

Hopeful
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Four Good Days (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Four Good Days (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The story takes place in a contemporary setting where issues of addiction and mental health are prevalent in society. The characters deal with modern challenges, including the impact of opioids on families and the complex nature of recovery. The time frame allows for a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by those battling addiction today.

Location

Childhood Home

The childhood home serves as a backdrop for Molly's return, evoking memories of her early life and the challenges she faced. It represents both safety and the painful past, containing the weight of her family dynamics and the lingering effects of her addiction. This familiar setting plays a crucial role in her journey toward healing.

🏡 Family 🏘️ Nostalgia

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

Main Characters – Four Good Days (2021)

Meet the key characters of Four Good Days (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Margaret 'Molly' Wheeler (Mila Kunis)

Molly is a determined young woman battling a long history of addiction. Her journey back home signifies her desire to confront her past and seek redemption. Throughout the film, she exhibits vulnerability while striving for recovery, even as she grapples with regrets about her choices and the impact on her children.

👩‍🎓 Struggle 💪 Resilience

Deb (Glenn Close)

Deb is Molly's mother, portrayed as a deeply caring but conflicted figure. Her fierce love for Molly is evident, yet she must navigate the complexities of enabling versus supporting her daughter's recovery. Deb's own revelations about her past add layers to her character, illustrating her struggles and growth throughout the film.

❤️ Love 😓 Conflict

Chris (Stephen Root)

Chris, Molly's stepfather, provides a grounding presence in the story. He supports Deb in her difficult decisions about Molly, representing a voice of reason amidst emotional turmoil. His character highlights the complexities of familial relationships when addiction disrupts the family dynamic.

🛡️ Support 🔗 Family

Sean (Joshua Leonard)

Sean, Molly's ex-partner, embodies both the support and challenges of co-parenting in the wake of addiction. His interactions with Molly reveal the remnants of their past relationship and the shared responsibility they have for their children. Sean represents a complex figure in Molly's journey toward recovery.

👶 Co-parenting 💔 Past

Ashley (Carla Gallo)

Ashley, Molly's older sister, adds depth to the family dynamic, representing the effects of addiction on sibling relationships. Her character may also provide insights into the family's history and the emotional landscape shaped by their mother's struggles.

👭 Siblings 🌀 Family Dynamics

Coach Miller (Rebecca Field)

Coach Miller serves as a figure of community support, offering Molly the chance to speak about her addiction to students. His role emphasizes the importance of dialogue around drug abuse and the potential for education to inspire change in younger generations.

🏫 Education 💬 Dialogue

Eric (Chad Lindberg)

Eric, Molly's ex-boyfriend, complicates her journey by revealing painful truths about their past. His character represents the weight of unresolved relationships and the impact of past choices on Molly's present struggles.

💔 Past Relationships ⏳ Unresolved

Sammy (Violet Brinson)

Sammy is a friend of Molly's who is also struggling with addiction, representing the shared battles faced by many. Their interaction highlights the challenges of recovery and the importance of support networks.

🤝 Friendship 💔 Struggles

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

Major Themes – Four Good Days (2021)

Explore the central themes of Four Good Days (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Addiction

The film poignantly explores the theme of addiction, showcasing Molly's tumultuous journey through substance abuse and her struggle for sobriety. It highlights the impact of her addiction not only on herself but on her family, particularly her mother, Deb. The stark realities of addiction are laid bare, emphasizing the difficult path toward recovery and the hope for redemption.

🌱 Redemption

Redemption is a central theme as Molly seeks to reclaim her life and restore her relationships. The film portrays her determination to break the cycle of addiction and reconnect with her children. Through her journey, viewers witness the possibility of healing and growth, reflecting the universal desire for a second chance.

👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Relationships

The mother-daughter bond between Molly and Deb is intricately explored, showcasing both the tension and love that underpins their relationship. Deb's struggle to support Molly while combating her instincts to protect her is a poignant aspect of the narrative. Their interactions reveal deeply rooted emotions, showcasing the effects of addiction on familial ties.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Bittersweet redemption stories like Four Good Days

Stories where characters face their demons, emerging scarred but hopeful.If you were moved by the difficult but hopeful journey in Four Good Days, explore these movies like it. This collection features similar gritty dramas about characters fighting for a second chance, where the road to recovery is painful but ultimately leads to a cautiously optimistic and bittersweet conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a linear, character-driven path focused on overcoming a deep personal crisis, such as addiction or trauma. The structure often involves a series of tests and relapses, building tension around whether the character will succeed. The climax is not a simple victory but a hard-fought, fragile milestone, resulting in an ending that feels earned yet tempered by the reality of the struggle.

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These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional mix: they are intensely heavy and gritty, yet fundamentally hopeful. They balance raw, anxious depictions of struggle with a core narrative of seeking light, creating a coherent experience of catharsis that is emotionally taxing but ultimately uplifting.

Intense family drama movies like Four Good Days

Intense dramas where broken families confront past trauma to heal.Fans of the powerful mother-daughter dynamic in Four Good Days will appreciate these similar movies. This selection includes heavy emotional dramas centered on fractured family relationships, where estranged relatives are forced to confront a crisis together, leading to raw confrontations and a difficult path toward healing.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a central crisis that forces estranged family members back into each other's lives. The plot is driven by intense, emotionally raw dialogues and confrontations that unpack years of resentment and misunderstanding. The journey is less about a tidy resolution and more about achieving a fragile, hard-earned understanding or a first step toward mending the broken bond.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core focus on the dynamics of a specific family relationship under extreme duress. They are united by a high emotional weight, a steady, anxious pacing that builds tension in interpersonal scenes, and a tone that finds a sliver of hope amidst overwhelmingly difficult circumstances, making the emotional payoff deeply impactful.

Unlock the Full Story of Four Good Days

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

Four Good Days Summary

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Four Good Days Summary

Four Good Days Timeline

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Four Good Days Timeline

Four Good Days Spoiler-Free Summary

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Four Good Days Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Four Good Days

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More About Four Good Days

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