Hello Again

Hello Again

Year: 1987

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Perry

RomanceComedyFantasy

Her life hasn’t been the same since her death. A suburban housewife chokes to death and is brought back to life by a spell cast by her wacky sister.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Hello Again (1987) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Hello Again (1987), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Long Island housewife Lucy Chadman Shelley Long sits in the middle of a tense tarot-reading with her sister, Zelda Judith Ivey, when Zelda’s excited prophesy takes a surprisingly dark turn. Just as Zelda proclaims that something life-changing is about to happen, Lucy begins to choke on a South Korean chicken ball, and the scene climbs into a poignant portrait of grief in a tight-knit family. The film uses this moment to show how Lucy’s circle—friends, relatives, and neighbors—grapple with the sudden, shocking loss and the upheaval it brings to their daily lives.

What follows is a blend of sorrow and curiosity as Zelda uncovers a peculiar path back from death. In a hidden corner of her occult world, Zelda finds a book called The Wisdom of Catagonia that promises more than comfort; it holds a spell that demands perfect astrological timing—the moon, the earth, and the dog star must align to form a flawless isosceles triangle. With a mix of caution and conviction, Zelda performs the spell, and Lucy’s figure reappears, blinking into a world that has marched on for a full year without her.

Lucy’s return is both miraculous and disruptive. She finds that life has moved on in surprisingly ordinary ways, yet everything feels strangely unfamiliar. Her widowed husband, Jason Chadman Corbin Bernsen, has sold their home and remarried, taking as his partner Kim Lacey Sela Ward—a former college friend whose ambition and pragmatism have rewritten their circle. Their son Danny Chadman Thor Fields has carved out his own path, opening a successful restaurant and choosing marriage over pursuing his studies at Columbia, a decision that signals how Lucy’s absence has reshaped family priorities.

At the hospital where she died, Dr. Kevin Scanlon Gabriel Byrne — the emergency-room physician who fought to revive her — experiences a complicated pull toward Lucy. She is drawn back into the world of the living, but nothing feels completely natural; the memory of her former life lingers, and so does the sense that love itself might still be possible in this new arrangement. Zelda, pragmatic and brave, confides to Scanlon that Lucy’s second chance comes with a deadline: if Lucy does not find love by the next full moon, she will have to return to the spirit world. Scanlon remains skeptical, wondering whether this is all superstition or a real test of heart.

As Lucy’s reappearance becomes public knowledge, the world around her crowds in with attention and scrutiny. The media descends on the hospital and Lucy’s loved ones, turning her return into a spectacle that unsettles the hospital staff, unsettles Zelda’s occult business, and unsettles Kim—the woman who now occupies a place in Jason’s life. Kim’s jealousy fuels a defiant stand, and she holds a news conference to accuse Lucy of faking her death, claiming tetrodotoxin as the method of deception. Lucy chooses not to respond with protest; she treats the whole spectacle as a distraction that she can use to her advantage, shedding some of the invasive noise that clouded her previous life.

The fallout is swift and messy: Scanlon faces consequences at work, Zelda’s shop is vandalized, and Lucy’s circle—once stable—feels the sting of public judgment. Yet the film leans into a sense of resilience. Lucy and her allies orchestrate a plan to reveal the truth in a controlled, public setting, coaxing Kim to acknowledge her lie in front of the media at a hospital party. The moment is cathartic, transforming guilt and humiliation into closure for Lucy and those who stood by her.

In the end, Lucy and her family step forward with renewed happiness. The credits suggest a quiet, hopeful future: Lucy and Zelda each move into new marriages and build families with their new loves, while Danny’s life takes another turn with impending fatherhood. The film leaves viewers with a sense that love can endure across second chances, and that a community’s support can help a widow find a path forward even after a miracle unsettles the old order.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:25

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Magical Second Chance Movies like Hello Again

Hopeful stories where a supernatural return brings a new perspective on life.If you liked the whimsical yet hopeful vibe of Hello Again, you'll enjoy these movies about life after death and magical returns. Discover similar stories where characters get a supernatural second chance to fix past mistakes, heal relationships, and find new beginnings, all with a blend of light fantasy and emotional depth.

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These narratives typically begin with a profound loss or death, which is overturned by a magical intervention. The central journey involves the protagonist reintegrating into a world that has moved on, confronting past regrets, and navigating the complications and wonders of their new lease on life, leading to personal growth and a positive resolution.

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They are grouped by their unique blend of supernatural premise with an emotionally grounded, hopeful core. They share a tone that is whimsical yet sincere, a medium emotional weight, and a focus on themes of resilience, love, and the value of a second chance.

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Stories where everyday life is touched by gentle, whimsical magic.Fans of Hello Again's blend of the mundane and the magical will love this selection. Explore movies similar to Hello Again that use whimsical, low-stakes fantasy to explore themes of grief, family, and love, creating a uniquely hopeful and slightly melancholic viewing experience.

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The pattern involves a grounded, often emotionally weighted situation—like grief or dissatisfaction—that is interrupted by a benevolent, quirky magical event. The story unfolds as characters interact with this magic, which acts as a catalyst for healing, understanding, and positive change, rather than a source of conflict or danger.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific mood mix: a core of melancholy or light sadness is consistently balanced by whimsy and hope. The magic is integrated gently into the real world, creating a steady, character-focused pace and a medium intensity that feels both magical and deeply human.

Unlock the Full Story of Hello Again

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Hello Again Timeline

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Hello Again Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hello Again

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hello Again

Hello Again Spoiler-Free Summary

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Hello Again Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hello Again

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