Gleaming the Cube

Gleaming the Cube

Year: 1989

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Graeme Clifford

ActionDramaMystery

A rebellious skateboarder in California investigates the death of his adopted Vietnamese brother. His search for answers leads him down a dangerous path, uncovering secrets related to the Vietnam War and the circumstances surrounding his brother's life. Driven by a need for justice and fueled by a thirst for vengeance, he confronts a complex web of deception and must navigate a perilous journey to find the truth.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Gleaming the Cube 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 – Gleaming the Cube (1989)

Trace every key event in Gleaming the Cube (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction of Brian Kelly

We meet Brian Kelly, a high school student struggling with a sense of purpose. Living in the sun-drenched suburbs of Orange County, California, his passion for skateboarding leads to constant clashes with his worried parents.

Orange County, California
2

Brian's Relationship with Vinh

Amidst his chaotic life, Brian finds solace in his adopted brother, Vinh. Vinh, who works at the Vietnamese Anti-Communist Relief Fund, understands Brian's struggles and becomes a source of support for him.

3

Vinh's Discovery

Vinh uncovers discrepancies in the records of VACRF, prompting him to alert Colonel Trac. However, his concerns are dismissed, leading to his unexpected dismissal from the organization.

VACRF
4

Vinh's Investigation

Determined to uncover the truth, Vinh infiltrates Westpac Medical Supplies, the warehouse responsible for VACRF’s shipments. Unfortunately, he is caught and subjected to harsh interrogation by Ed Lawndale.

Westpac Medical Supplies
5

Vinh's Tragic Fate

During a tense situation, Vinh is accidentally killed by Bobby Nguyen, who is later blamed for a so-called suicide. This tragic incident marks a turning point, thrusting Brian into a world of danger and corruption.

6

The Quest for Truth Begins

At Vinh's funeral, Brian discovers a list of medical supplies written in Vietnamese. This ignites his determination to uncover the truth about the suspicious activities surrounding VACRF and the recent events.

7

Brian Under Surveillance

As Brian delves deeper into his investigation, he catches the attention of Bobby Nguyen, who begins to stalk him. This new threat intensifies the danger surrounding Brian as he seeks justice.

8

Witnessing a Meeting

Brian sneaks into Nguyen's car and witnesses a shady meeting involving Colonel Trac and Lawndale. The situation escalates when Lawndale kills Nguyen, forcing Brian to flee for his life.

9

Seeking Help

Brian reaches out to Detective Al Lucero for help, but his claims are met with skepticism. Additionally, he forms a connection with Colonel Trac's daughter, Tina, which serves as a source of emotional support.

10

Discovery of Weapons

Under the cover of night, Brian sneaks into Lawndale's warehouse where he finds crates filled with illegal weapons. This discovery confirms the dark truth about VACRF and its dealings.

Lawndale's warehouse
11

Confrontation with Detective Lucero

After staging an explosion to frame Trac, Brian faces off against Detective Lucero. Lucero sees through Brian’s deception and encourages him to reconsider his dangerous tactics against powerful adversaries.

12

Tina's Dilemma

Feeling the weight of her father’s secrets, Tina finds comfort with Brian. However, she discovers a crucial piece of evidence linking her father to the criminal activities, leading to a rift in their relationship.

13

The Final Showdown

The climax unfolds as Brian, Lucero, and Lawndale converge at Trac's house. This heart-stopping confrontation culminates in Trac's tragic murder at the hands of Lawndale.

Trac's house
14

A Daring Act of Justice

In a final bid for justice, Brian rallies his fellow skateboarders to catch Lawndale. They execute an impressive stunt that allows them to apprehend Lawndale, ensuring he faces consequences for his actions.

15

Aftermath and Connection

As Brian grapples with his experiences, he comforts Tina and vows to maintain their bond despite the tragedies. Together, they visit Vinh's grave, acknowledging the mysterious future that awaits them.

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 20:59

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.

Amateur sleuth thrillers like Gleaming the Cube

Ordinary people confront dangerous conspiracies far bigger than themselves.If you liked the way Gleaming the Cube pits a rebellious skateboarder against a deadly conspiracy, you'll enjoy these movies. They feature ordinary people turned amateur detectives, driven by personal loss into dangerous investigations that quickly spiral out of control.

urgentparanoiddeterminedclimacticgrittysuspenseful

Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a personal catalyst—a murder, a disappearance—that forces an everyday person to become an investigator. The narrative follows their perilous, often clumsy, attempts to uncover the truth, putting them in direct conflict with powerful, shadowy forces they are ill-equipped to handle.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a common narrative structure of an outsider's investigation, a tone of constant paranoia and tension, and the emotional weight of high personal stakes. The pacing is fast, driven by the urgency of the amateur sleuth's race against time.

Bittersweet revenge stories like Gleaming the Cube

Stories where the quest for justice leaves deep emotional scars.Fans of Gleaming the Cube's heavy emotional journey will appreciate these movies. They explore themes of vengeance and justice, but unlike pure action fests, they focus on the profound emotional cost and the bittersweet nature of achieving one's goal.

solemngrittydeterminedemotionalclimacticbittersweet

Narrative Summary

The journey is fueled by a need for retribution, often following a clear arc from loss to confrontation. However, the climax and resolution are not triumphant; they are somber, acknowledging the destruction left in the wake of the protagonist's quest. The ending feels earned but hollow, focusing on the emotional aftermath.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies based on their shared emotional core: a heavy weight derived from a revenge plot that concludes with a bittersweet, rather than purely victorious, ending. The tone is solemn and gritty, with a focus on the personal toll of vengeance.

Unlock the Full Story of Gleaming the Cube

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

Gleaming the Cube Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gleaming the Cube, 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.

Gleaming the Cube Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gleaming the Cube

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Gleaming the Cube. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gleaming the Cube

Gleaming the Cube Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Gleaming the Cube 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.

Gleaming the Cube Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Gleaming the Cube

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

Similar Movies to Gleaming the Cube

Discover movies like Gleaming the Cube 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.