Hangover Square

Hangover Square

Year: 1945

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: English

Director: John Brahm

Thriller

When composer George Harvey Bone awakens with no memory of the night and a bloody knife in his pocket, he fears he may have committed a crime. He heeds Dr. Middleton’s advice and attends Netta Longdon’s concert. Enchanted by Netta, he abandons his concerto to write songs for her, but jealousy and loss of control over spells soon threaten his sanity.

Hangover Square (1945) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Hangover Square (1945) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sweltering summer of 1903, Edwardian London feels both glittering and claustrophobic, its fog‑laden streets humming with ambition and hidden anxieties. At the heart of this world sits a modest flat on Hangover Square, where a talented yet troubled composer awakens to a baffling blank spot in his memory and an ominous artifact in his pocket. The city’s layered elegance—lavish concert halls, smoky taverns, and tightly pressed social circles—mirrors his own internal discord, setting a tone that is as much about atmospheric dread as it is about the seductive pull of artistic creation.

George Harvey Bone is a man whose brilliance is shadowed by a sudden, disorienting lapse that leaves him questioning the very foundations of his identity. Seeking counsel, he turns to Dr. Allan Middleton, a physician whose pragmatic advice nudges the composer toward a concert that promises both distraction and revelation. There, the magnetic presence of an aspiring singer catches his eye; Netta Longdon exudes ambition and a fierce desire to climb the musical ladder, offering a tantalizing partnership that threatens to eclipse his existing relationship with Barbara Chapman, his steadfast girlfriend. Barbara’s protective father, Sir Henry Chapman, adds an undercurrent of societal expectation that amplifies the composer’s sense of being pulled in competing directions.

As the notes of a new melody begin to take shape, the line between inspiration and obsession starts to blur for Bone. The allure of writing songs for the dazzling vocalist ignites a restless creative fire, while the lingering emptiness of his missing day and the subtle suggestion that his artistic “spells” might be slipping from his grasp fuel an uneasy tension. The film settles into a moody, gothic rhythm, inviting the audience to feel the quiet panic of a mind teetering on the edge of brilliance and breakdown, all against the richly textured backdrop of a London that never truly sleeps.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:55

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.

Movies about psychological ruin like Hangover Square

Stories where a character's sanity unravels under fatal obsession or trauma.If you liked Hangover Square's portrayal of a mind coming undone, explore these similar movies. This collection features intense psychological thrillers and dark dramas where characters spiral into insanity, driven by obsession or haunted by a troubled past.

psychologicaloppressivetragicfatalistichauntinganxiousclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear, cause-and-effect structure focused on a single character's deterioration. An initial trigger, such as a memory lapse or an obsession, sets off a chain of events where the protagonist loses control, often committing acts of violence during periods of psychological absence, culminating in a bleak and inevitable conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped for their shared focus on a grim, internal character study. They possess a consistently oppressive mood, high emotional weight, and a dark tone, offering a tense and melancholic viewing experience with minimal relief.

Fatalistic noir thrillers similar to Hangover Square

Dark crime stories where characters are trapped by fate and their own flaws.Fans of the dark, suspenseful mood of Hangover Square will appreciate these movies. This selection highlights crime thrillers and noir dramas with a strong fatalistic vibe, featuring anxious protagonists, psychological tension, and stories that move steadily towards a bleak conclusion.

suspensefulmelancholicfatalisticnoiranxioushauntingtragic

Narrative Summary

These stories often unfold with a steady, deliberate pace, building suspense through atmosphere and character psychology rather than frantic action. The protagonist is typically an ordinary man ensnared by extraordinary circumstances—a crime, an obsession, or a mental affliction—that exposes a dark underside of life and leads to an irreversible, tragic outcome.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a cohesive and powerful atmosphere defined by a dark tone, steady pacing, and high intensity. The combination of suspense, melancholy, and a pervasive sense of fate creates a uniquely oppressive and haunting viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Hangover Square

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

Hangover Square Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hangover Square, 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.

Hangover Square Summary

Hangover Square Timeline

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

Hangover Square Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hangover Square

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hangover Square

More About Hangover Square

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Hangover Square: 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 Hangover Square

Similar Movies to Hangover Square

Discover movies like Hangover Square 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.