In This Our Life

In This Our Life

Year: 1942

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Directors: John Huston, Raoul Walsh

DramaRomanceMoving relationship storiesEnduring stories of family and marital dramaHeartbreaking and moving family drama

A dramatic adaptation of a sensational novel, showcasing one of Warner Bros.' strongest ensembles and standing among the studio's major releases. It follows an unhappy, self‑centered woman who abandons her marriage to run away with her sister’s husband, unleashing betrayal and turmoil that devastates those around them.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen In This Our Life 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 – In This Our Life (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of In This Our Life (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

The events play out in a period when traditional gender roles and social expectations governed behavior in the American South and East Coast cities. The era’s norms shape how wealth, marriage, and duty are valued and scrutinized. The narrative uses these times to heighten the stakes of deceit, responsibility, and consequences.

Location

Richmond, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland

The story unfolds in Richmond, Virginia, home to the Timberlake family and a backdrop for Southern propriety and social rank. It later moves to Baltimore, Maryland, highlighting a shift from small-town gentility to a busy urban environment. The locations emphasize class tensions, public reputation, and the consequences of personal choices within these two interconnected communities.

🏛️ Southern setting 🗺️ Urban East Coast 🎭 Social drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

Main Characters – In This Our Life (1942)

Meet the key characters of In This Our Life (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Stanley Timberlake Kingsmill (Bette Davis)

Impulsive and vanity-driven, Stanley pursues personal desires at the expense of others. Her reckless choices set off a chain of events—an affair, a deadly accident, and a desperate lie—that test family loyalties and the boundaries of accountability. Her arc culminates in a tragic confrontation with truth and consequence.

🎭 💔 🕵️‍♀️

Roy Timberlake (Olivia de Havilland)

Practical and resilient, Roy acts as the moral compass and emotional anchor for her family. She balances compassion with resolve, supporting the people she loves while grappling with harm caused by others. Her love for family drives her to seek justice and healing amid chaos.

🎭 💪 🕊️

Peter Kingsmill (Dennis Morgan)

A once-affective husband whose personal flaws—drinking and volatility—strain his marriage. His relationships with the sisters become a crucible for loyalty, forgiveness, and tragedy, culminating in a desperate turn of events.

🎭 💔 ⚖️

Craig Fleming (George Brent)

A progressive attorney who cares for the underprivileged and questions the status quo. He becomes entangled with Roy and the broader consequences of Stanley's actions, illustrating the tension between idealism and truth.

🎭 🧭 ⚖️

William Fitzroy (Charles Coburn)

Wealthy, influential, and emotionally fragile, Fitzroy dotes on his niece while seeking to control the flow of his legal business. His looming illness and discomfort with Stanley’s choices reveal the fragility of power and the limits of charity.

🎭 💰 🧓

Parry Clay (Ernest Anderson)

A bright young man and the son of Minerva Clay, Parry becomes an innocent target of Stanley’s deceit. His imprisonment exposes the fragility of due process and the ripple effect of a single lie.

🎭 ✊🏾 ⚖️

Minerva Clay (Hattie McDaniel)

Loyal housekeeper and mother figure whose steadfast presence anchors the Timberlakes’ household. Her perspective underscores the human cost of the family’s choices and the dignity of quiet resilience.

🎭 🧡 👵

Lavinia Timberlake (Billie Burke)

Maternal matriarch of the Timberlake clan, she embodies Southern propriety and emotional gravity. Her concerns about reputation and family welfare frame the social stakes surrounding the sisters’ actions.

🎭 🏡 👩

Charlotte Fitzroy (Mary Servoss)

A member of the Fitzroy circle, her presence signals the blend of old-world manners with modern anxieties about family honor and legacy.

🎭 🕰️ 👩

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

Major Themes – In This Our Life (1942)

Explore the central themes of In This Our Life (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Guilt & Consequences

A central thread follows Stanley's reckless actions and the resulting cover-up that leads to Parry Clay's wrongful imprisonment. The story probes whether truth or self-preservation dominates, and how the law, reputation, and personal guilt intersect. As events unfold, characters confront the inescapable fallout of deceit.

💎 Status & Privilege

Wealth, influence, and social standing shape choices and opportunities for the Timberlakes and their circle. The contrast between affluence and poverty drives conflicts, including pressure from Fitzroy to protect his interests and the temptation to use money to steer outcomes. The film uses these tensions to critique the costs of privilege.

👭 Female Roles & Morality

The relationship between Roy and Stanley anchors the drama, highlighting competing visions of duty, ambition, and independence. Women navigate complex moral landscapes—from deceit and denial to resilience and responsibility. The narrative interrogates how societal expectations press upon women and what redemption might require.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:52

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.

Unlock the Full Story of In This Our Life

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

In This Our Life Summary

Read a complete plot summary of In This Our Life, 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.

In This Our Life Summary

In This Our Life Timeline

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

In This Our Life Timeline

More About In This Our Life

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about In This Our Life: 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 In This Our Life

Similar Movies to In This Our Life

Discover movies like In This Our Life 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.