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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Timeline & Setting – Hello Again (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hello Again (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Modern day

The events occur in a contemporary setting, spanning roughly a year from Lucy's death to her return. The plot moves between home life, hospital routines, and a public- facing media climate, all happening in a present-day era. A central motif is the impending next full moon, which shapes Lucy's choices about staying or returning to the spirit world.

Location

Long Island, New York, Hospital, Zelda's occult store

The story centers on Lucy's life on Long Island, with key scenes unfolding in her family home and the local hospital where the revival unfolds. Zelda's occult shop provides a distinct location tied to the spell that enables Lucy's return. The mix of domestic setting, medical environment, and occult surroundings highlights the film’s blend of everyday life with supernatural elements.

🏠 Long Island Residence 🕯️ Occult Store 🏥 Hospital 🗽 New York Area

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:48

Main Characters – Hello Again (1987)

Meet the key characters of Hello Again (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lucy Chadman (Shelley Long)

A Long Island housewife who dies after choking on a South Korean chicken ball during a tarot reading, Lucy returns a year later to a world already moving on without her. She grapples with the changes in her family and must decide how—or whether—to reinsert herself into a life that has gone ahead without her. Her renewed presence creates both warmth and chaos as she navigates love, loyalty, and her own identity in the wake of death.

🏠 Protagonist 💖 Family-centered ♻️ Rebirth

Zelda (Judith Ivey)

Lucy’s sister and an occultist who discovers a spell that can bring Lucy back, using precise astrological timing. She provides the magical pivot of the story and shares intimate knowledge of the supernatural process, while facing social backlash as the ramifications of Lucy’s return unfold. Zelda’s loyalty to her sister drives much of the plot’s emotional and practical fallout.

🪄 Occultist 🧭 Supportive 🗝️ Mentor

Dr. Kevin Scanlon (Gabriel Byrne)

The ER doctor who tries to revive Lucy and, later, falls for her. He embodies the tension between scientific skepticism and belief in the impossible. His professional life becomes intertwined with Lucy’s personal crisis, and his career is affected by the media frenzy surrounding her return.

⚕️ Doctor 💘 Love Interest 🧠 Rational

Jason Chadman (Corbin Bernsen)

Lucy’s widower husband who has moved on, selling their home and marrying Kim Lacey. He represents practicality and the social consequences of Lucy’s absence, providing a counterpoint to Lucy’s attempt to reclaim a life that has clearly evolved without her.

👨‍👦 Family-man 💼 Remarried 🌪️ Conflict

Kim Lacey (Sela Ward)

Lucy’s former college friend who becomes entangled in jealousy and opportunism as Lucy returns. Kim’s public stance and media manipulation exacerbate tensions, challenging Lucy’s ability to reveal the truth and protect her family.

🎯 Antagonist 💥 Jealous 🗞️ Publicity

Danny Chadman (Thor Fields)

Lucy and Jason’s son, who has forged his own path by starting a successful restaurant and marrying, moving away from the path Lucy once envisioned for him. His growth reflects the ways in which a family changes when a member is physically absent and then returns.

🍽️ Restaurant Owner 👨‍👩‍👦 Family-focused 🧭 Growth

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:48

Major Themes – Hello Again (1987)

Explore the central themes of Hello Again (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

♻️ Rebirth

Lucy’s return from death redefines what ‘home’ means for her and her family. The film uses rebirth to explore grief, memory, and the hope for second chances. It tests whether a renewed life can repair broken relationships or create new complications. Rebirth drives both the comedy and drama of the story.

💞 Love & Second Chances

Lucy’s revived life rekindles romance with Dr. Kevin Scanlon while challenging existing relationships. The narrative probes loyalty, desire, and the ethics of loving someone who has returned from the dead. The approach to love is tempered by the deadline implied by the next full moon.

📰 Media & Public Scrutiny

Lucy’s comeback attracts intense media attention that intrudes on hospital life and family privacy. The press scrutiny complicates personal relationships and fuels conflict, particularly with Kim Lacey’s accusations. The film satirizes sensationalism while examining its real emotional cost.

🪄 Occult & Belief

Zelda’s spell from The Wisdom of Catagonia embodies the tension between magical belief and scientific skepticism. The occult framework drives Lucy’s return and tests the characters’ faith in miracles versus medicine. The juxtaposition of magic and medicine underpins much of the plot’s conflict and resolution.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:48

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

Hello Again Summary

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Hello Again Summary

Hello Again Timeline

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Hello Again Timeline

More About Hello Again

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Explore More About Movie Hello Again

Hello Again (1987) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Hello Again (1987) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Hello Again (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow