Half Brother

Half Brother

Year: 2018

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: Portuguese

Director: Eliane Coster

Drama

Sandra’s mother disappears, leaving her lost and without resources. She turns to Jorge, her estranged half brother, for assistance. However, Jorge is facing his own struggles; after documenting a homophobic attack, he is now being threatened and pressured to suppress the evidence.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Half Brother 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 – Half Brother (2018)

Trace every key event in Half Brother (2018) 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

Renato learns of his father's illness and travels to Chicago

Renato, a business executive based in San Miguel, receives a call that his father Flavio is very ill and wishes to see him. He reluctantly boards a flight to Chicago, carrying years of resentment for Flavio's absence since immigrating to the US. This arrival sets the stage for a fragile reunion that will test family bonds.

Chicago
2

First encounter with Asher and the reluctant mission

On arrival in Chicago, Renato encounters his half-brother Asher and learns that Flavio wants an envelope delivered to Evaristo, which allegedly contains a clue about Eloise. Renato's anger surfaces as he recalls the rift with his father, but he attends Flavio's wake and reluctantly agrees to try to complete Flavio's final wish. The mission begins to pull the brothers together despite their initial tensions.

Chicago
3

Asher steals Renatito the goat

Asher detours to steal a small goat he calls Renatito from a local ranch, a reckless act that enrages Renato and foreshadows trouble ahead. The incident unsettles their uneasy alliance and adds personal stakes to their quest. The goat becomes a recurring, symbolic thread in their journey.

4

Visit to the old RC airplane factory in St. Louis

The brothers reach an old factory in St. Louis that once produced radio-controlled airplanes. A factory employee directs them to a Mexican bar across the street where they meet Evaristo, a friend of Flavio who also came to the United States. Evaristo provides a crucial lead and a sense of community among old-guard immigrants.

St. Louis
5

Flavio's backstory and the key to Eloise

Evaristo explains that Flavio started as a cheap laborer but managed to revitalize the factory into an RC airplane business with Katherine. He also mentions a past one-night stand with Katherine that left Flavio guilty. Evaristo then hands Renato a key and an envelope addressed to 'Mr. B' to move the quest forward.

St. Louis
6

Oklahoma City lead and the Eloise envelope

Mr. B's box contains an envelope for Eloise and a pawnshop claim ticket pointing to Oklahoma City. Renato and Asher deduce this is the next step toward uncovering the mystery surrounding Eloise. The Oklahoma City stop marks a turning point toward the final clues.

Oklahoma City
7

Mr. B's revelations and the Eloise clue

Mr. B reveals that Renato was mugged on the way to the border and forced to pawn his wedding ring to cover travel costs. He explains Renato's arrest by border guards and passes an Eloise envelope containing a photo of St. Mary's Convent in El Paso, which inflames Renato and redefines his resolve. The revelation redefines the stakes and tightens the timeline.

El Paso / border area
8

Fuel run near El Paso and an improvised plan

On the road toward El Paso, their car runs out of fuel and they discover an unlocked cabin stocked with ethanol. Renato decides to convert the ethanol into gasoline, showcasing their improvisational problem-solving and willingness to take risks to keep moving.

En route to El Paso
9

Passport theft and border arrest

Renato discovers Asher stole their passports and locks him in the bathroom to prevent escape, but his own attempt to return home is thwarted when border guards arrest him. The confrontation compounds the brothers’ predicament and raises the stakes for crossing the border.

Border region
10

Detention and the goat-rescue plan

After spending a night in a detention cell with other undocumented immigrants, Asher bails them out. They return to the cabin and, aided by Renatito, manage to knock out a group of rednecks who had captured the goat.

Detention center / cabin vicinity
11

Eloise revealed as a plane

As they near the border, a nun at St. Mary's Convent leads them to a cabinet whose code is Eloise. The nun reveals that Eloise is not a person but a full-size plane Flavio built for his sons, reframing their quest and signaling Flavio's protective legacy.

St. Mary's Convent, El Paso
12

Flavio's past and the forgiveness arc

The nun shows them Flavio's DVD, which explains that he was cared for by the nuns after being left for dead and later returned to Chicago to communicate his choices. Flavio explains that he loved both Renato and Asher and hoped they could forgive him and grow as brothers.

St. Mary's Convent, El Paso
13

A new path home and wedding invitation

With Eloise and a way back to Mexico in hand, Renato invites Asher and Renatito to his upcoming wedding as they prepare to move forward together. The invitation marks a new normal for the fractured family unit and signals commitment beyond the quest.

Mexico / El Paso area
14

Flight over Sumidero Canyon

They soar over Sumidero Canyon, fulfilling a dream Renato and Flavio had once shared. The flight becomes a symbolic reconciliation and a celebration of family reuniting after a long journey apart.

Sumidero Canyon
15

Wedding day and a troubling accident

Renato marries Pamela, but the ceremony is marred by tragedy when Emilio's toy plane crashes into a nearby house, prompting witnesses to scatter in panic. The accident casts a sobering note over the day’s celebrations and mirrors the fragility of life.

Mexico

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:05

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Unlock the Full Story of Half Brother

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

Half Brother Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Half Brother, 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.

Half Brother Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Half Brother

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Half Brother

Half Brother Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Half Brother 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.

Half Brother Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Half Brother

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Half Brother: 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 Half Brother