Idlewild

Year: 2006

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: Bryan Barber

DramaRomanceCrimeMusical

During the Prohibition era in the American South, the popular duo of piano player Percival and charismatic singer Rooster run a thriving speakeasy. However, their success attracts the attention of dangerous gangsters who want to take over their business. Percival and Rooster must find a way to protect their establishment and survive the perilous world of organized crime and underground politics.

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Timeline & Setting – Idlewild (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Idlewild (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

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Main Characters – Idlewild (2006)

Meet the key characters of Idlewild (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:04

Major Themes – Idlewild (2006)

Explore the central themes of Idlewild (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

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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.

Jazz-Age Gangster Dramas like Idlewild

Stylish crime tales set against a backdrop of speakeasies and tragic romance.If you liked the blend of crime and musical performance in Idlewild, explore more movies like it. These films capture the romantic yet gritty tension of the prohibition era, offering similar stories of underworld ambition set to a jazz and blues soundtrack.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often follow artists or entrepreneurs thriving in a decadent underworld, only to have their success threatened by violent criminal forces. The narrative arcs intertwine romantic entanglements with survival, often leading to tragic sacrifices and bittersweet resolutions where art provides a fragile form of redemption.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared setting of 1920s-30s criminal underworlds, their use of jazz and blues as a core atmospheric element, and their balance of romantic, tragic character drama with high-stakes gangster conflict. They create a uniquely melancholic and tense vibe.

Dark Musicals with Tragic Themes like Idlewild

Musicals where the songs underscore profound loss, betrayal, and survival.For viewers who enjoyed the heavy emotional weight of Idlewild, this section finds similar dark musical movies. Discover films where the music underscores themes of grief, violent crime, and tragic romance, offering a bittersweet or bleak cinematic experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters using artistic expression as a coping mechanism for extreme trauma, loss, or danger. The storylines are often linear but weave musical sequences intimately into the plot, leading to conclusions that are poignant and emotionally resonant rather than happily-ever-after, emphasizing the cost of survival and the solace of art.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their use of the musical format to convey serious, often tragic drama. They share a high emotional weight, a dark or bittersweet tone, and a central theme where performance is inextricably linked to the characters' pain, struggles, and difficult choices.

Unlock the Full Story of Idlewild

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

Idlewild Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Idlewild, 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.

Idlewild Timeline

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

Idlewild Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Idlewild 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.

More About Idlewild

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Idlewild: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Idlewild

Discover movies like Idlewild 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.