Landline

Landline

Year: 2017

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Gillian Robespierre

Echo Score: 75
Comedy

When unsettling rumors about their father’s personal life arise, two sisters, Dana and Ali, find themselves questioning the stability of their family. Dana, engaged and struggling with her own relationship doubts, connects with her younger, more rebellious sister. Together, they investigate their father, uncovering a complex web of secrets and confronting the imperfections within their seemingly perfect family dynamic, forcing them to re-evaluate their understanding of love and loyalty.

Landline (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Landline (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the mid‑1990s, a tight‑knit Italian‑Jewish family fills a modest New York home with the clatter of kitchen dishes, the scent of homemade sauce, and the low‑key hum of everyday rituals. The house feels both timeless and on the brink of change, its walls steeped in tradition while the surrounding world teeters between analog nostalgia and the first flickers of a digital age. The film’s tone is warm‑hearted yet edged with an undercurrent of quiet anxiety, inviting the audience to listen closely to the murmurs that ripple beneath polite conversation.

Dana is the elder daughter, poised on the cusp of adulthood, engaged to a steady but unexciting partner and wrestling with faint doubts about the future she’s mapped out. Across the hallway, Ali embodies teenage rebellion, preferring raves and restless curiosity over the conventional path of college. Their sisterly bond is a blend of protective affection and competitive spark, each serving as a mirror for the other’s uncertainties. As they navigate the space between youthful impulsiveness and adult responsibility, their contrasting personalities create a dynamic that feels both familiar and freshly tense.

At the heart of the household, Pat and Alan maintain a marriage that has settled into a rhythm of polite distance, their interactions hinting at untold stories and unspoken desires. When Ali stumbles upon a collection of heartfelt notes addressed to an enigmatic “C,” whispers of infidelity begin to swirl, casting a shadow over the family’s apparent stability. Dana, already balancing her own relational doubts, finds herself drawn into the mystery, pulling both sisters into a shared quest for truth that forces them to reassess the foundations of their family.

The film unfolds as a dramedic exploration of love, loyalty, and the flawed perfection of familial ties. It teases the audience with the promise of hidden layers—secret letters, lingering glances, and the subtle ways in which each character navigates the delicate balance between honesty and protection. As the sisters dig deeper, the story invites viewers to consider how the search for answers can both unravel and reinforce the bonds that bind a family together.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:12

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 family secrets like Landline

Stories of families unraveling and rebuilding after discovering hidden truths.If you liked the way Landline explored the impact of parental infidelity on a family, you'll appreciate these other films. This collection features movies like Landline where hidden truths force families to confront their imperfections, blending drama with relatable, often witty, character moments.

familialnostalgicanxiousreflectivecomplicateddiscoveringconfrontingheartfelt

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a stable, if somewhat fragile, family unit. A discovery—often of infidelity or a hidden past—acts as a catalyst, sending the characters on an investigative or introspective journey. The plot unfolds through a series of confrontations and revelations, leading to a climax that doesn't offer easy solutions but rather a more nuanced, mature acceptance of life's complexities.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on the domestic sphere as a source of both comfort and conflict. They possess a similar bittersweet tone, a steady, character-driven pacing, and a medium emotional intensity that allows for both dramatic weight and moments of levity, making the familial struggles feel authentic and deeply human.

Witty relationship comedies like Landline

Sharp, observant comedies about questioning love and life choices.Fans of Landline's blend of sharp humor and heartfelt relationship drama will enjoy these selections. Discover more movies like Landline that explore doubts about love and commitment with a witty, observant eye, balancing comedy with genuine emotional depth.

wittyanxiousreflectivecomplicatedromanticself-discoveryobservationalheartwarming

Narrative Summary

The story follows a character, or a pair of characters like sisters, who are grappling with their own relationship anxieties. These personal doubts become intertwined with a larger, often familial, crisis. The journey involves investigation, candid conversations, and self-reflection, leading to a clearer, if more complicated, perspective on what it means to love and be committed.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their unique tonal blend: they are fundamentally comedies but are unafraid to delve into serious themes like infidelity and self-doubt. They share a specific vibe—witty, anxious, and reflective—with a steady pacing that allows the humor and drama to coexist naturally, creating a satisfying and thought-provoking experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Landline

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

Landline Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Landline, 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.

Landline Summary

Landline Timeline

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

Landline Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Landline

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Landline. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Landline

More About Landline

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Landline: 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 Landline

Similar Movies to Landline

Discover movies like Landline 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.