I Want You

I Want You

Year: 1998

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Winterbottom

MusicThrillerRomanceDramaCrime

What she wants, she gets. A young boy and his sister are drawn into one man’s obsessive pursuit of his former lover.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen I Want You 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 & Setting – I Want You (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of I Want You (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Farhaven

Farhaven is a quiet British seaside town with a working harbor and a close-knit community. Its promenade, beaches, and nightclub scene anchor the film’s mood as events unfold along the coast and by the river. The town’s seaside atmosphere contrasts with the darker undercurrents of the characters’ lives.

🌊 Coastal town 🏖️ Seaside community

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

Main Characters – I Want You (1998)

Meet the key characters of I Want You (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Honda (Luka Petrušić)

A 14-year-old boy who witnessed his mother’s suicide and becomes mute for years. He quietly obsesses over Helen after returning her bracelet, tracking her in hopes of connection; his actions oscillate between protective instinct and invasive spying, revealing a childlike need for belonging.

🔎 Stalker 🧭 Obsession 💔 Trauma

Helen (Rachel Weisz)

A hairdresser dealing with a traumatic past and a tumultuous love life. Her fear and vulnerability mask a strong will to navigate danger and maintain independence, though she finds herself repeatedly drawn into toxic dynamics.

💔 Trauma 🗝️ Secrets 🗣️ Agency

Martin (Alessandro Nivola)

Helen’s ex-boyfriend released from prison who uses charm and coercion to control Helen and others; his violence escalates when his desire to possess Helen is threatened; he embodies predatory behavior and entitlement.

💔 Abuser 🔒 Control

Bob (Ben Daniels)

A radio DJ dating Helen; his jealousy and aggression create a volatile relationship, culminating in public shaming and threats. He becomes an antagonist in the couple’s life as the instability of romance escalates.

💬 Jealousy 🎙️ Public image

Sam (Steve John Shepherd)

An old friend that Helen reconnects with; his budding romance with Helen is interrupted by danger and violence as Martin intervenes.

💬 Old friend 🎶 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

Major Themes – I Want You (1998)

Explore the central themes of I Want You (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Trauma

Helen’s long shadow of sexual abuse at the hands of Martin shapes her adult relationships; the film gradually reveals how past abuse informs present fears, self-protection, and silence. Honda’s early observation of her bracelet becomes a fragile thread linking past to present. The narrative shows that trauma has lasting effects, influencing how characters interact and confide in others.

🔍 Obsession

Honda’s silent fixation on Helen drives his surveillance and involvement in her life. Martin’s own stalking and longing for Helen propels a dangerous dynamic where boundary crossing leads to violence. The film frames obsession as a corrosive force that erodes consent and autonomy.

⚖️ Power & Control

Power relations thread through relationships: Bob’s controlling jealousy, Martin’s predatory behavior, and Helen’s struggle to regain agency. The climactic confrontation reveals how control shifts through manipulation, violence, and fear. The town’s shadows reflect how power dynamics shape every decision.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

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 childhood trauma and small-town secrets like I Want You

Young protagonists navigating dangerous secrets and adult obsessions in isolated settings.Discover other movies like I Want You that focus on young characters confronting dark adult realities in small-town settings. These similar thrillers and dramas explore themes of obsessive love, family secrets, and coming of age under the shadow of trauma and violence.

traumaticprotectiveclaustrophobicanxioussomberunsettlingmelancholicsmall-town

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a young protagonist's perspective, often in a confined community. A traumatic event or the arrival of a dangerous outsider disrupts their world, forcing them into a painful coming-of-age journey. The story weaves together past and present, revealing how buried secrets directly impact the child's present-day reality, culminating in a confrontation that forever alters their innocence.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared focus on the intersection of childhood and darkness. They create a specific, unsettling mood by filtering intense, adult themes through a young person's vulnerable point of view, resulting in emotionally heavy stories about the loss of innocence.

Obsessive love psychological thrillers similar to I Want You

Stories where romantic fixation curdles into dangerous possession and explosive violence.If you liked the tense, dark romance and psychological suspense of I Want You, explore these similar movies. They feature stories of obsessive love that turns dangerous, with complex characters, slow-burn tension, and heavy emotional weight leading to shocking violence.

obsessivetenseclaustrophobicunsettlingpsychologicalviolentmelancholicanxious

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a pattern of obsession, where one character's intense desire for another becomes a central, destructive force. The story builds slowly, establishing a mood of unease that escalates into psychological manipulation and stalking. The tension culminates in a violent confrontation, leaving characters emotionally shattered and the resolution often ambiguous or bleak.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films that explore the darkest side of human connection. They share a high-intensity, psychologically driven vibe defined by a specific narrative arc: the transition from desire to dangerous obsession, portrayed with a dark tone and heavy emotional impact.

Unlock the Full Story of I Want You

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

I Want You Summary

Read a complete plot summary of I Want You, 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.

I Want You Summary

I Want You Timeline

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

I Want You Timeline

I Want You Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of I Want You 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.

I Want You Spoiler-Free Summary

More About I Want You

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about I Want You: 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 I Want You

Similar Movies to I Want You

Discover movies like I Want You 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.