Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck

Year: 2025

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Directors: Grant Heslov, Micah Bickham

DramaHistory

This stage adaptation, livestreamed from the Winter Garden Theatre, explores the conflict between journalist Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy during the anti-communist campaigns of the early 1950s. The production recounts Murrow’s courageous stand against McCarthy’s increasingly controversial tactics and the impact it had on his career and the nation. It’s a powerful portrayal of integrity and the importance of defending freedom of speech.

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Timeline & Setting – Good Night, and Good Luck (2025)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Good Night, and Good Luck (2025). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1953-1958

The story is set during the early to late 1950s, a time marked by Cold War tensions, McCarthyism, and the rise of television as a powerful medium. This period features intense political scrutiny, the Red Scare, and trials that deeply influenced American society and media.

Location

CBS Studios, United States

The movie takes place primarily within CBS Studios in the United States, a prominent hub for journalism and broadcasting in the 1950s. The studio setting is iconic for American television history, especially for the pioneering moments of investigative journalism and political criticism that define the film.

📺 Broadcast 🗽 American 🏢 Historic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Main Characters – Good Night, and Good Luck (2025)

Meet the key characters of Good Night, and Good Luck (2025), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Edward R. Murrow

A renowned television journalist committed to honest reporting and moral integrity. Murrow’s character symbolizes fearless journalism and the fight against propaganda during McCarthyism.

🚨 Journalist 🎙️ Leader 🗣️ Ethical

Fred W. Friendly

A dedicated producer and close collaborator of Murrow, advocating for responsible journalism and standing firm against external pressures. His role highlights the importance of teamwork and integrity in media.

🎥 Producer 🤝 Loyal 📡 Media

William S. Paley

The CBS CEO who faces the repercussions of the broadcast. His character reflects the influence of corporate interests on media and the struggles of balancing profit with journalistic responsibility.

💼 Executive 🛡️ Corporate 📰 Media

Joseph Wershba

CBS journalist who reports on the Radulovich case and faces professional and personal challenges. His character embodies dedication to truth and the risks journalists take.

📰 Reporter 🔎 Investigative 💪 Resilient

Shirley Wershba

A CBS staff member and wife of Joseph Wershba, balancing personal life with professional integrity. Her character underscores the personal sacrifices made in journalistic pursuits.

📝 Journalist ❤️ Supportive 💡 Ethical

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Major Themes – Good Night, and Good Luck (2025)

Explore the central themes of Good Night, and Good Luck (2025), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Freedom of Speech

The film explores the importance of journalistic integrity and the right to criticize powerful figures like McCarthy. It emphasizes how the media acts as a safeguard against tyranny by providing truthful information, even under political pressure.

⚖️ Justice

The movie underscores the pursuit of justice in the face of injustice, highlighting the struggles of individuals who challenge false accusations and defend moral principles during a politically charged era.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

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Claustrophobic historical dramas like Good Night, and Good Luck

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve a pressure-cooker environment where characters are pitted against a powerful, often unseen, force. The narrative progresses through a series of high-stakes confrontations, debates, or investigations, with the limited setting intensifying every decision and its repercussions. The focus is on integrity under duress.

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These films are grouped together because they share a unique combination of a tense, atmospheric setting and a narrative centered on moral courage. The claustrophobic feel and steady, mounting pressure create a distinct viewing experience focused on the psychological weight of doing the right thing.

Movies with bittersweet endings like Good Night, and Good Luck

Stories where a moral victory is achieved, but at a significant personal cost.If you liked the bittersweet ending of Good Night, and Good Luck, explore these films where a moral or professional victory comes with personal sacrifice. These powerful dramas show that fighting for what's right often has a lasting cost, creating a deeply resonant and thoughtful conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist or group challenging an injustice. While they ultimately prevail in discrediting the antagonist or achieving their goal, the journey exacts a heavy toll—be it the loss of a career, a friendship, or a life. The ending acknowledges the win but lingers on what was lost, creating a mature and reflective emotional arc.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a shared emotional trajectory that culminates in a bittersweet resolution. They resonate with viewers who appreciate complex, realistic endings that honor both the success of the struggle and the sobering reality of its consequences, offering a more nuanced view of heroism.

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Good Night, and Good Luck Summary

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Good Night, and Good Luck Summary

Good Night, and Good Luck Timeline

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

Good Night, and Good Luck Timeline

Good Night, and Good Luck Spoiler-Free Summary

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Good Night, and Good Luck Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Good Night, and Good Luck

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