Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Year: 1978

Runtime: 202 min

Language: French

Drama

In 1970s Brussels, the widowed Jeanne Dielman meticulously maintains a strict routine of housework and occasional prostitution to survive. Her days are a precise sequence of domestic tasks, but this fragile balance is threatened when unexpected events disrupt her carefully planned life. As the rhythms of her existence are challenged, Jeanne's composure begins to unravel, leading to a profound and unsettling confrontation with her circumstances.

Dark
Bleak ending
Emotionally heavy
Medium intensity
Slow pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 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 – Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time frame, likely during the 1970s when social norms surrounding gender roles and sexuality were evolving. This era is crucial in understanding the societal expectations placed on women, as Jeanne's struggles reflect broader themes of female autonomy and domestic confinement.

Location

Brussels, Belgium

The film takes place in Brussels, specifically in a modest apartment where Jeanne Dielman carries out her daily activities. Known for its unique architecture and vibrant culture, Brussels serves as the backdrop for Jeanne's mundane yet complex life, reflecting the juxtaposition between the city's bustling nature and her solitary confinement.

🌆 City 🏠 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

Main Characters – Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978)

Meet the key characters of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jeanne Dielman

Jeanne Dielman is a widowed mother whose life revolves around her meticulous daily routines of cooking, cleaning, and caring for her son. As she secretly engages in prostitution, her character embodies the struggles of isolation and the roles women are expected to perform. Her descent into chaos culminates in an act of violence, reflecting her emotional turmoil and the desperate need for control in her life.

🦸‍♀️ Protagonist 📉 Repression 🔪 Violence

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

Major Themes – Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978)

Explore the central themes of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Isolation

Isolation permeates Jeanne's life, marked by her repetitive routines and limited social interactions. The film intricately depicts her emotional detachment, highlighting the profound loneliness that stems from her dual life as a mother and a sex worker. This theme culminates in her shocking violent outburst, symbolizing a breaking point in her isolated existence.

⚖️ Violence

The theme of violence is subtly woven into Jeanne's everyday life until it culminates in a shocking act. The film portrays the violence not only as a physical act but also as a metaphor for the emotional and psychological turmoil Jeanne experiences. This theme raises questions about the nature of power and agency in her life.

🍽️ Domesticity

Domesticity is central to Jeanne’s identity, as she derives her sense of purpose from household tasks. The film portrays this aspect with an almost documentary-like attention to detail, emphasizing how her role as a homemaker contrasts with her secret life, ultimately depicting the complexities of a woman's existence within domestic spaces.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

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 rigid routines and psychological collapse like Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Stories where a rigid routine cracks under pressure, revealing chaos within.If you appreciated the meticulous breakdown of routine in Jeanne Dielman, this thread features other films where characters' carefully constructed worlds disintegrate. These movies share a focus on domestic or personal order, psychological tension, and a slow burn narrative leading to a bleak or violent conclusion.

methodicalunsettlingtenseoppressivepsychologicalclaustrophobicbleak

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character defined by extreme control over their environment, often as a coping mechanism. An external event or internal flaw disrupts their system, causing small, accumulating errors that escalate into a full-blown psychological breakdown. The journey is less about external conflict and more about the internal collapse of a carefully maintained facade.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the psychology of routine, the build-up of oppressive tension through repetition, and the theme of control versus chaos. They are united by a slow, observational pace that allows the viewer to feel the crushing weight of the character's existence before its downfall.

Slow burn dramas of female isolation and domestic life like Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Gritty, intimate portraits of isolation and quiet desperation within the home.For viewers who were captivated by the intimate and oppressive portrayal of a woman's life in Jeanne Dielman, this section finds similar movies. These films feature strong female leads, a focus on the minutiae of domestic routine, and a slow build of tension within a confined setting, often culminating in a powerful emotional release.

lonelyquietoppressiverealistfemale-centricmelancholictense

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread are often linear and straightforward, prioritizing atmosphere and character study over complex plotting. They unfold in real-time or over a short period, emphasizing the cyclical nature of domestic labor and the invisible struggles of their protagonists. The conflict arises from the tension between societal expectations, personal desires, and the isolating nature of the home itself.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their shared aesthetic of realism, their focus on the female experience within domestic spheres, and their use of slow pacing to convey emotional depth. They create a powerful sense of place and mood, making the viewer feel the character's isolation and the weight of their circumstances.

Unlock the Full Story of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Don't stop at just watching — explore Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 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 Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, 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.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Summary

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Timeline

Track the full timeline of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Timeline

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 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.

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles: 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 Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Explore More About Movie Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1978) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow