Little Children

Little Children

Year: 2006

Runtime: 136 min

Language: English

Director: Todd Field

Budget: $26M

DramaRomance

Sarah, feeling constrained by her life and marriage, finds an unexpected connection with Brad, a stay-at-home father grappling with unfulfilled ambitions. Their relationship develops as they navigate the complexities of family, suburban life, and personal longing. The story explores themes of desire, regret, and the search for meaning beyond societal expectations, revealing the quiet desperation that can lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Little Children 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 – Little Children (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Little Children (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film takes place in contemporary times, mirroring the struggles of modern suburban life. Issues such as infidelity, marital dissatisfaction, and personal identity are explored against the backdrop of everyday family life.

Location

Suburban Community, Massachusetts

The movie takes place in a picturesque suburban community in Massachusetts, known for its tight-knit neighborhoods and family-friendly atmosphere. Parks serve as a central hub for the local mothers, providing a backdrop for social interactions and the unfolding drama among the characters.

🏡 Suburb 🌳 Park

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:05

Main Characters – Little Children (2006)

Meet the key characters of Little Children (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sarah Pierce (Kate Winslet)

Sarah is a 30-year-old mother navigating the complexities of suburban life while longing for deeper fulfillment. Once an aspiring scholar, her dreams are supplanted by her domestic duties and a failing marriage, driving her to seek validation and excitement outside her home.

👩‍👧 Mother 📚 Intellectual 💔 Unfulfilled

Brad Adamson (Patrick Wilson)

Brad is a troubled husband and father caught between his responsibilities and his desires. He struggles under the weight of his domineering wife’s expectations while seeking solace and emotional connection with Sarah, ultimately leading him to confront his own dissatisfaction.

👨‍👦 Father 😓 Pressured ❤️ Seeking Connection

Kathy (Jennifer Connelly)

Kathy is Brad's ambitious wife, deeply focused on her career and their family's success. Her fixation on appearance and professional achievements leads her to overlook the emotional distance growing in her marriage, setting the stage for conflict and suspicion.

🙇‍♀️ Ambitious 🤔 Suspicious 👩‍🎤 Career-driven

Ronnie (Jackie Earle Haley)

Ronnie is a man with a troubled past trying to reintegrate into society after prison. Dealing with his own demons, he symbolizes the darker realities of the community and adds complexity to the narrative by grappling with guilt and the need for belonging.

😔 Troubled 🔒 Reintegrating 💔 Guilt-ridden

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:05

Major Themes – Little Children (2006)

Explore the central themes of Little Children (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Infidelity

The theme of infidelity permeates the film as Sarah and Brad's innocent friendship blossoms into a secret romantic relationship. Their dissatisfaction with their marriages drives them to seek comfort and validation in each other, ultimately leading to painful consequences.

💔 Dissatisfaction

Both Sarah and Brad face deep-seated dissatisfaction in their respective lives. Sarah is stifled by her domestic responsibilities and unfulfilled dreams, while Brad grapples with pressure from his wife and career aspirations, highlighting the longing for more than their current situations.

⚡ Consequences

The characters' choices reflect the theme of consequences, as their decisions ripple through their lives and relationships. The emotional affair between Sarah and Brad leads to turmoil, affecting not just their families but also those around them, ultimately culminating in tragic events.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:05

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Little Children

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

Little Children Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Little Children, 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.

Little Children Summary

Little Children Timeline

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

Little Children Timeline

Little Children Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Little Children 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.

Little Children Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Little Children

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

Similar Movies to Little Children

Discover movies like Little Children 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.

Explore More About Movie Little Children

Little Children (2006) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Little Children (2006) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Little Children (2006) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow

Movies Like Little Children – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy

Little Men (2016) Complete Plot Breakdown

Other People's Children (2023) Movie Recap & Themes

Little Big Women (2021) Detailed Story Recap

Men, Women & Children (2014) Complete Plot Breakdown

Little Fish (2006) Film Overview & Timeline

Little Accidents (2015) Detailed Story Recap

Mother and Child (2010) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The Children's Hour (1961) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Little (2019) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap

Little Secrets (2002) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap

Little Women (1994) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Little Lili (2004) Movie Recap & Themes

Children of Love (2003) Full Summary & Key Details

Other People's Children (2015) Complete Plot Breakdown