Gimme Shelter

Gimme Shelter

Year: 2014

Runtime: 101 min

Language: English

Director: Ron Krauss

Drama

After escaping an abusive home life, Agnes "Apple" Bailey seeks a place of safety. Rejected by her estranged father, a Wall Street executive, she finds unexpected help from a compassionate stranger who leads her to a shelter for homeless teenagers. There, surrounded by others facing similar struggles, Apple discovers a sense of community and begins to rebuild her life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Gimme Shelter 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 – Gimme Shelter (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gimme Shelter (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time period, indicative of modern social issues surrounding homelessness, teen pregnancy, and familial neglect. It reflects current societal challenges faced by vulnerable adolescents, especially those lacking support systems.

Location

New Jersey

The movie takes place primarily in New Jersey, a state known for its diverse cities and suburban areas. It features a hospital where Apple receives care and a shelter run by Kathy DiFiore, dedicated to supporting pregnant teenagers. New Jersey's sometimes harsh environment reflects the struggles faced by the characters.

🏙️ City 🏥 Hospital 🏠 Shelter

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:48

Main Characters – Gimme Shelter (2014)

Meet the key characters of Gimme Shelter (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Agnes "Apple" Bailey

Apple is a determined and resilient 16-year-old girl who has faced a lifetime of abandonment and abuse. Her experiences have shaped her into a tough survivor, yet her vulnerability is evident as she seeks love and acceptance. Throughout the film, she evolves from a lost child to a more self-aware individual searching for a better future.

👧 Teenage Girl 💪 Resilience ❤️ Seeking Love

June Bailey

June is Apple's abusive mother, embodying the cycle of neglect and desperation. Her character portrays the impact of trauma on parental relationships, as she continues to harm Apple instead of providing support. Despite her flaws, she represents the harsh realities some parents face, adding depth to Apple's struggles.

👩‍👧 Abusive Parent 😞 Neglect 🚫 Dysfunctional

Tom

Tom is Apple's estranged father, a wealthy broker who initially seems indifferent to his daughter's plight. His character grapples with his responsibilities as a parent versus his desire to maintain his family's stability. As the story unfolds, he is forced to confront the consequences of his past actions.

👨‍👧 Estranged Father 💼 Wealthy Broker ⚖️ Responsibility

Father McCarthy

Father McCarthy is a compassionate figure who represents hope for Apple. He seeks to guide her towards a better path and introduces her to the shelter that becomes her refuge. His character illustrates the importance of mentorship and support for at-risk youth.

👴 Mentor 🙏 Compassion ❤️ Support

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:48

Major Themes – Gimme Shelter (2014)

Explore the central themes of Gimme Shelter (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Survival

Survival is a central theme in 'Gimme Shelter,' highlighting Apple's struggle against systemic abuse and neglect. Her journey portrays the resilience of a young girl desperate for a sense of belonging and support. The theme also extends to the strength found in community as she connects with other teen mothers in the shelter.

👶 Motherhood

The theme of motherhood is explored through Apple's complex relationship with her own mother, June, and her journey toward potentially becoming a mother herself. The film emphasizes the challenges faced by young mothers and the importance of finding supportive environments. Kathy's role underscores the importance of nurturing and mentorship in motherhood.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:48

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.

Dramas of Trauma and Hope like Gimme Shelter

Stories of profound suffering that lead to healing and a hopeful new beginning.If you were moved by Gimme Shelter's journey from despair to hope, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature characters overcoming immense hardship, finding support, and forging a new, hopeful path, offering emotionally heavy yet ultimately rewarding viewing experiences.

harrowinghopefulresilientcatharticredemptivetensetraumaticsupportive

Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a linear progression from a state of crisis and danger toward safety and stability. The protagonist endures significant trauma but encounters pivotal support—a person, a community, or an institution—that catalyzes their healing. The emotional arc moves from intense sadness and tension to a powerful sense of relief and hope.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared emotional trajectory: they balance high-intensity, heavy subject matter with a fundamentally hopeful tone and a happy or bittersweet resolution. They resonate because they affirm the possibility of redemption and the power of human connection in the face of adversity.

Movies about Found Family like Gimme Shelter

Characters rejected by blood relations build new, stronger bonds with outsiders.For viewers who appreciated the found family dynamic in Gimme Shelter, this section highlights similar films. Discover stories where characters, often young and marginalized, form deep, supportive bonds with others who understand their struggles, creating a new sense of home and belonging.

supportiveresilienthopefulredemptivecommunalheartwarmingdysfunctional familybelonging

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who is isolated, abandoned, or abused by their biological family. Through circumstance, they are brought into a group of outsiders—a shelter, a team, or a community of fellow survivors. The conflict shifts from pure survival to learning to trust and accept this new support system, culminating in a powerful sense of belonging.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their thematic core: the creation of a 'found family' as a direct response to trauma and rejection. They share a mood that is both supportive and resilient, emphasizing that the strongest families are sometimes the ones we choose.

Unlock the Full Story of Gimme Shelter

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

Gimme Shelter Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gimme Shelter, 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.

Gimme Shelter Summary

Gimme Shelter Timeline

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

Gimme Shelter Timeline

Gimme Shelter Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Gimme Shelter 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.

Gimme Shelter Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Gimme Shelter

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

Similar Movies to Gimme Shelter

Discover movies like Gimme Shelter 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.