Intimacy

Intimacy

Year: 2001

Runtime: 119 min

Language: English

Director: Patrice Chéreau

DramaAdultAdult

A struggling musician in London seeks solace from his difficult life through weekly, intimate encounters with a mysterious woman. As their relationship deepens, he becomes increasingly curious about her identity and background, jeopardizing their arrangement and forcing him to confront uncomfortable truths about himself and their connection.

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Timeline – Intimacy (2001)

Trace every key event in Intimacy (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Jay's weekly Wednesday encounter

Jay maintains a ritual of weekly sex with a mystery woman every Wednesday, a habit that dominates his lonely life in a decrepit London house. The arrangement starts as purely physical, but over time an emotional attachment begins to form, anchoring him to someone he cannot name. He lives in isolation, using the ritual to feel wanted.

Wednesday evenings (recurring) London, Jay's decrepit house
2

Ian joins the team

At the bar, Jay grows frustrated when his boss hires a junior barman, Ian, without consulting him. Initially resentful, he gradually takes Ian under his wing and tries to mentor his new colleague. The dynamic at work foreshadows Jay's need for control and companionship.

Jay's bar
3

Jay begins to stalk Claire

Driven to know more about the woman he sees weekly, Jay follows her through the streets of London and into the grey suburbs where she lives. His pursuit reveals a life he had not imagined and deepens his fixation on Claire. The streets themselves become the backdrop for his growing obsession.

London streets and grey suburbs
4

Claire's life revealed

Jay discovers the woman’s name is Claire and learns she is married to Andy, a black cab driver, with a son named Leo. He forms a tenuous bond with Andy and Leo, visiting them separately while Claire remains mostly unaware of the connections. The revelation unsettles Jay, adding moral complexity to his affair.

Evenings (after following) Pub theatre and Claire's life in London
5

Victor arrives

Jay's deadbeat friend Victor unexpectedly comes to stay with him, turning his already fragile routine on its head. Jay reluctantly agrees to let him crash in, though it strains his space and schedule. The tension foreshadows further complications in Jay's life.

Jay's house
6

Wednesday eviction

On a Wednesday, Jay throws Victor out before Claire is due to arrive. The eviction underscores Jay's desire to protect his burgeoning affair while still keeping others at arm's length. The absence of Claire that day further heightens the sense of impending exposure.

Wednesday Jay's house
7

Rescuing Victor from the squat

Sometime later, Jay and Ian go to a squat to rescue Victor, who has apparently fallen into drug abuse. Victor accuses Jay of being heartless, exposing the fragility of their friendship. The incident forces Jay to confront the consequences of his choices.

Squat
8

A secretive encounter at the squat

With Victor's encouragement, Jay has sex with a woman he meets there, but he leaves abruptly in the morning. The encounter underscores his ongoing hunger for connection beyond Claire and signals his emotional disarray. The morning after leaves him unsettled and isolated.

Morning after Squat
9

Jay confides in Andy

Jay confides in Andy about his failed marriage and that he is having an affair with a mystery woman who he sees every Wednesday. Andy, in turn, introduces Jay to Claire after a play, bridging the two parts of his life. The new connection intensifies the stakes of the affair.

After a play Andy's circle in London; after a play
10

Claire's confrontation with Andy

Andy visits Jay's bar and obliquely makes it apparent that he knows about the affair. The knowledge alters Claire’s perception of the situation and foreshadows the looming confrontation. She remains conflicted about her marriage and her future.

Jay's bar
11

Final Wednesday unfolds

The next Wednesday, Claire arrives at Jay's house while Ian and Victor help clear it. She declares she will not leave her family and won't see Jay anymore. They have one final, charged encounter before Claire leaves for good.

Wednesday Jay's house

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:57

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Intimacy

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