Linear

Linear

Year: 2009

Runtime: 56 mins

Language: English

Director: Anton Corbijn

Music

Based on a story by Anton Corbijn and Bono, the film weaves in several characters Bono created for his album. It follows a disillusioned Parisian motorcycle officer, portrayed by Saïd Taghmaoui, who is weary of the growing tension between immigrants and police in the city. Frustrated, he abandons his post in Paris to travel to Tripoli and reunite with his girlfriend, hoping to escape the mounting unrest.

Linear (2009) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Linear (2009) 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 a rain‑slick Paris where tension between immigrants and the police hums just beneath the neon glow, a weary motorcycle officer finds himself drifting away from a duty that no longer feels like duty. The city’s streets pulse with restless energy, and a stark graffiti slogan—“Fuck the Police”—captures the disillusionment that has settled over his once‑steady resolve. As the dawn breaks, he abandons his post, driven by a need to escape the mounting unrest and to seek something steadier beyond the city’s ironclad expectations.

The film follows his solitary journey across the French countryside, where rolling hills and open roads become a quiet companion to his inner turmoil. The landscape is rendered with a lyrical eye, turning highways and distant horizons into extensions of his restless spirit. Each mile carries a subtle promise of distance from the conflict he left behind, and the road itself seems to pulse with a patient, almost melodic rhythm that matches the low‑key soundtrack echoing through his headphones.

Crossing into Spain, the officer’s path leads him toward the Mediterranean coast, where salty air and fleeting moments of stillness offer brief reprieves. In a modest café on the edge of Cádiz, a simple interaction with a lone waitress and the ghostly glow of a U2 music video weave together the ordinary and the surreal, suggesting that even the most mundane encounters can hold a deeper resonance for a traveler on the brink of change. The tone remains contemplative, balancing gritty realism with dreamlike detours, inviting viewers to feel the weight of his solitude without revealing where his destination truly lies.

Last Updated: October 11, 2025 at 19:40

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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.

Solitary journey movies like Linear

Solitary travels to escape disillusionment and search for personal meaning.Discover movies like Linear that follow a character's quiet, introspective escape from disillusionment. If you enjoyed the melancholic road trip and the search for meaning in Linear, you'll find similar stories of personal journeys and atmospheric self-discovery here.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often weary or disillusioned with their current life, who embarks on a physical journey. The plot is straightforward, prioritizing mood and introspection over complex twists, as the character grapples with their past and an uncertain future.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared melancholic tone, slow pacing, and focus on a solitary protagonist using travel as a means of escape and reflection. The emotional core is a medium-weight sense of longing and the bittersweet act of moving on.

Atmospheric slow burn movies similar to Linear

Films where ambiance, feeling, and sensory details drive the experience.Find films with a similar atmospheric and melancholic vibe to Linear. This list features slow-burn mood pieces where the feeling and visual poetry are as important as the story, perfect if you liked the dreamlike and reflective atmosphere of Linear.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are character-driven and straightforward, serving as a vessel for exploring a specific mood. The pacing is deliberately slow, emphasizing lingering shots, evocative settings, and a focus on the protagonist's internal state over external plot events.

Why These Movies?

They share a primary focus on creating a sustained, cohesive atmosphere. The similarity comes from a combination of slow pacing, low intensity, a melancholic or reflective tone, and a visual style that prioritizes mood over complex storytelling.

Unlock the Full Story of Linear

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

Linear Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Linear, 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.

Linear Summary

Linear Timeline

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

Linear Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Linear

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Linear

More About Linear

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