King of California

King of California

Year: 2007

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Mike Cahill

DramaComedy

A sixteen-year-old girl's carefully constructed world is disrupted when her father unexpectedly returns from a mental institution. He’s fixated on finding the lost treasure of Spanish explorer Juan Florismarte Garces, and convinces her to join his quest. Their unusual search for gold leads them on an adventure that takes them as far as a local Costco, challenging Miranda's independence and forcing both of them to deal with unresolved issues from their past.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – King of California (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of King of California (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, amidst the socio-economic realities faced by many families. It highlights the struggle of a young woman navigating her responsibilities while dealing with her father's psychological challenges and obsessions.

Location

California

California is known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, often associated with the pursuit of dreams. In this suburban setting, the backdrop of treasure hunting adds an unexpected twist to the normalcy of daily life. The local Costco, a significant landmark in the narrative, serves as the unlikely focal point for their adventurous escapade.

🌴 California🔍 Treasure Hunt

Last Updated: September 07, 2025 at 00:56

Main Characters – King of California (2007)

Meet the key characters of King of California (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood)

Miranda is a resilient teenager grappling with abandonment and the responsibilities of adulthood. Despite the chaos brought by her father's return, she shows strength and adaptability, eventually embracing his outlandish pursuits. Her journey reflects a mix of doubt and awakening, as she navigates her tumultuous relationship with Charlie.

👩‍🦰 Young Adult 💪 Resilience

Charlie (Michael Douglas)

Charlie is a troubled father recently released from a mental institution, whose obsession with treasure hunting drives the story. His eccentric personality and determination are traits that ultimately foster a renewed bond with his daughter. Despite his past struggles, he embodies hope and the pursuit of dreams, albeit through unconventional means.

👨‍👧 Father Figure 🧠 Mental Health

Last Updated: September 07, 2025 at 00:56

Major Themes – King of California (2007)

Explore the central themes of King of California (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌠 American Dream

The pursuit of the American dream is a central theme, explored through the characters' desires for a better life. Their treasure hunting symbolizes hope and the lengths to which they will go to reclaim their aspirations. Through eccentricity and adventure, the film delves into what it means to chase dreams and find fulfillment.

👨‍👧 Family Dynamics

This film explores modern family dynamics, particularly the relationship between a father and daughter. Their bond is tested and strengthened through shared experiences, highlighting themes of loyalty and the complexities of parental love. It showcases the challenges of maintaining familial relationships in the face of adversity and personal struggles.

😂 Dark Comedy

The movie employs dark comedic elements to explore serious themes, providing levity in difficult situations. The eccentricities of the characters and their absurd treasure-hunting schemes offer a humorous take on their desperate circumstances. This blend of humor and pathos creates a unique tone that resonates throughout the narrative.

Last Updated: September 07, 2025 at 00:56

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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.

Quirky Parent-Child Adventures like King of California

Eccentric parents and grounded children on hopeful, heartfelt journeys.Explore movies like King of California where unconventional parents and their children embark on whimsical quests. If you enjoyed the heartfelt and offbeat father-daughter adventure searching for lost treasure, you'll find similar stories of family bonds tested and strengthened through shared, quirky journeys.

quirkyhopefulmelancholicoffbeatheartfeltdreamyadventurous

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a linear quest driven by an eccentric parent's fixation, which the more practical child initially resists but eventually embraces. The physical journey serves as a metaphor for working through unresolved emotional issues, leading to a bittersweet but ultimately hopeful resolution about their relationship.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on an offbeat parent-child dynamic, a central whimsical quest, and a tone that balances hopeful adventure with a melancholy understanding of family flaws. The pacing is steady and character-driven, revolving around the emotional stakes of the relationship.

Bittersweet Quests for Meaning like King of California

Characters chase elusive dreams, finding more in the journey than the goal.Find movies similar to King of California that feature characters on a search for something more. If you liked the father's quest for Spanish gold leading to emotional discoveries, these films explore how the journey itself, not the destination, provides meaning and healing.

reflectivehopefulmelancholicdreamyquestcontemplativeescapism

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist fixated on a seemingly fanciful or elusive goal as an escape from their reality. The quest structure provides a framework for exploring themes of disillusionment, hope, and personal growth, culminating in an ending where the tangible success of the quest is secondary to the emotional insights gained.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a bittersweet tone, a central quest motif, and a reflective mood. They are united by the idea that the search for an external prize is really an internal journey, resulting in stories that are more about emotional resonance than plot-driven success.

Unlock the Full Story of King of California

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

King of California Summary

Read a complete plot summary of King of California, 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.

King of California Summary

King of California Timeline

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

King of California Timeline

King of California Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of King of California 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.

King of California Spoiler-Free Summary

More About King of California

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about King of California: 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 King of California

Similar Movies to King of California

Discover movies like King of California 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.