Homecoming

Homecoming

Year: 2009

Runtime: 88 min

Language: French

Director: Morgan J. Freeman

DramaThriller

During Christmas break, a successful athlete returns to his hometown with his new girlfriend. His arrival stirs up old feelings when his former flame reappears, determined to rekindle their past relationship. As the holiday season unfolds, long-held rivalries and buried secrets emerge, creating tension and threatening to disrupt the peace of the small town.

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Timeline & Setting – Homecoming (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Homecoming (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mt. Bliss, Shelby's Bowling Alley, a Motel near Mt. Bliss, Shelby's Barn, High School

The story unfolds in a small town centered around Mt. Bliss, with key settings including Shelby's inherited bowling alley, a nearby motel, and a barn where tensions rise. The homecoming weekend brings the high school ceremony and the jersey retirement, drawing people to the town's core institutions. The various locations—bowling alley, motel, barn, and school—constitute a tight, claustrophobic stage for the thriller.

🏙️ Small town 🎭 Suspenseful 🗺️ Diverse locations

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:32

Main Characters – Homecoming (2009)

Meet the key characters of Homecoming (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shelby (Mischa Barton)

Shelby is a fiercely possessive, calculating woman whose obsession with reclaiming Mike drives her to commit drastic, violent acts. She hides her true nature behind a veneer of concern, manipulating others to maintain control over the situation.

🧠 Manipulative 🔒 Possessive 🗝️ Secretive

Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup)

Elizabeth is Mike's new girlfriend who becomes the unintended target of Shelby's rage. Resourceful and determined, she fights to survive and escape Shelby's escalating cruelty.

🛡️ Determined 🗝️ Escapist 🩹 Courageous

Mike (Matt Long)

Mike is Shelby's ex who struggles with loyalty and love as he navigates his feelings for Elizabeth and the dangerous dynamics surrounding Shelby's actions.

❤️ Loyal 🎗️ Football Star 🧭 Conflicted

Billy

Billy is Mike's policeman cousin who tries to help and uncover the truth but becomes a casualty in Shelby's violent unraveling.

🧭 Helpful 🩸 Tragic

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:32

Major Themes – Homecoming (2009)

Explore the central themes of Homecoming (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕸️ Obsession

Shelby’s fixation on Mike and Elizabeth drives the plot, with her desire to possess him fueling increasingly dangerous actions. Her stalking, manipulation, and cruel decisions escalate from deception to violence. The film uses this obsessive drive to explore how far someone will go to control another person's life. The tension builds as Shelby closes in, blurring the lines between care and control.

🔪 Captivity

Elizabeth becomes a prisoner in Shelby’s world, bound by threats and an increasingly brutal captivity. Shelby uses manipulation, threats, and physical harm to keep Elizabeth from leaving or exposing the truth. Trapped in the basement and under surveillance, Elizabeth fights to escape while the danger to her life grows. The theme centers on the cost of keeping someone close through fear and force.

🎭 Deception

Shelby’s outward concern and acts of kindness mask a hidden, murderous agenda. Lies about Elizabeth's whereabouts, the false voicemail to Mike, and the staged disappearances are all parts of a carefully constructed facade. The audience learns of Shelby’s true nature through small clues—the photos, the cut cords, the manipulated messages—that reveal the extent of her deception. The film toys with perceptions, making trust seem fragile and perilous.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:32

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Homecoming Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Homecoming, 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.

Homecoming Summary

Homecoming Timeline

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Homecoming Timeline

More About Homecoming

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