Gloria

Gloria

Year: 1980

Runtime: 123 min

Language: Portuguese

Director: John Cassavetes

DramaThrillerCrime

Amidst the chaos of urban life, a violent crime leaves a young boy without parents, and Gloria, a tough and resilient woman, unexpectedly finds herself responsible for his care. They are thrust into a perilous journey through New York City, desperately trying to protect a valuable artifact that has made them targets of dangerous mobsters. Facing constant threats and unexpected challenges, they must rely on each other to survive.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Gloria 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 – Gloria (1980)

Trace every key event in Gloria (1980) 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

Mysterious lobby encounter and Jeri Dawn's uneasy return

In the South Bronx, Jeri Dawn returns home with groceries and passes a man whose dress and appearance are out of place in the lobby. Startled, she quickly boards the elevator to head upstairs. The moment hints at the danger looming over her family.

Evening South Bronx, Dawns' apartment lobby
2

Jack Dawn's informant status and target on the family

Inside their apartment, Jack Dawn reveals he has been an informant for the FBI and that a contract has been placed on his family. The revelation raises the stakes and signals imminent peril for everyone in the building. The tension sets the stage for the arrival of Gloria.

Evening Dawns' apartment, New York City
3

Gloria arrives and offers protection

Gloria Swenson rings the Dawns' door asking to borrow coffee. Jeri warns that an impending hit targets the family and begs Gloria to protect the children. Gloria, a former mobster’s girlfriend, reluctantly agrees to help.

Evening Dawns' apartment
4

Gloria takes Phil and the ledger; narrow escape

Joan locks herself in the bathroom as the family tries to reach her. Gloria takes the Dawns’ young son Phil and the incriminating ledger to her own apartment. A gun-armed hit squad arrives, and the family narrowly escapes the attack.

Immediately after Gloria's apartment; Dawns' building exterior
5

Escape as police storm the building

Loud shotgun blasts from the Dawns' apartment spook Gloria into action. She and Phil leave the building just as police arrive with heavy weapons, and a crowd of onlookers records the moment.

Evening Outside Dawns' building, South Bronx
6

Safe haven in Manhattan

Gloria and Phil hide out in an empty Manhattan apartment owned by a friend of Gloria's. The next morning, Phil notices his own photo on the front page of several newspapers, labeling him as Gloria's suspected abductor.

Morning Manhattan, in Gloria's friend's apartment
7

Media misunderstanding escalates the danger

The following morning, news reports reveal the mob hit and name Gloria as Phil's suspected abductor. The public spotlight forces them to stay one step ahead of pursuers. Gloria realizes their futures are now deeply entwined.

Morning Manhattan streets, news outlets
8

Confrontation on the street and Gloria's resolve

As they attempt to slip away, a group of gangsters confront Gloria on the sidewalk, demanding Phil and the ledger. In a desperate move, Gloria fires at their car, flipping it and signaling that she will risk everything to survive. The danger drives them to flee again across the city.

Morning Manhattan street
9

Bank, safe deposit, and a night in a flophouse

Gloria goes to the bank to empty her safe deposit box of the ledger. They then spend the night at a flophouse, trying to stay ahead of their pursuers. The ledger's value keeps attracting attention from multiple violent factions.

That day Bank; flophouse in New York City
10

Restaurant showdown and immunity demand

Gloria confronts another group of gangsters at a restaurant and asks for immunity in exchange for the ledger. They insist that only Tanzinni can approve immunity. She disarms them and escapes, continuing the chase.

Same day Manhattan restaurant
11

Boarding school or independence? A crucial rift

The next day, Gloria tells Phil she plans to send him away to a boarding school because of the danger surrounding them. Phil resents the idea, insisting he can manage on his own. Gloria, torn by guilt, abandons him to go have a drink.

Next day Unspecified location (likely bar/relaxation spot)
12

Rescue and rapid flight through city

Phil is captured by wiseguys, and Gloria rushes to rescue him. She kills one mobster and escapes with Phil via taxi and the subway, aided by bystanders along the way. The pair's bond grows as they flee the relentless mob.

Hours later New York City streets, taxi and subway
13

Final ledger handover and Tanzinni pursuit

They reach a hotel room where Gloria laments the mob's reach and explains her past as Tanzinni's mistress. She meets Tanzinni, relinquishes the ledger, and flees as another shooter targets her elevator car. The sequence marks the last major confrontation before their escape.

Later that day Hotel room; building elevator
14

Phil's departure for Pittsburgh

Phil waits several hours after the confrontation, then boards a rail to Pittsburgh to disappear from the mob's reach. His flight underscores the cost of survival in this violent environment.

Hours after the hotel sequence Railroad to Pittsburgh
15

Cemetery reunion and final surviving moments

In a somber ending, Phil and Gloria reunite at a cemetery. Gloria arrives disguised as Phil's grandmother in a limousine, suggesting she would do anything to protect him and keep him alive.

Evening Cemetery

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Gloria Summary

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Gloria Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gloria

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Gloria

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