Year: 2017
Runtime: 103 mins
Language: Hebrew
Director: Savi Gabizon
A wealthy, childless man named Ariel receives an unexpected phone call from a former college girlfriend. She reveals that she was pregnant when they broke up twenty years prior and has since raised a son. This revelation prompts Ariel to confront his feelings about parenthood and embark on a journey that will profoundly alter the course of his life.
Get a spoiler-free look at Longing (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 sleek, sun‑washed streets of Tel Aviv, a successful industrialist lives a meticulously ordered life. Ariel, a wealthy yet childless man, has built his world around business meetings, polished apartments, and the quiet certainty of routine. One ordinary afternoon, his carefully calibrated existence is jolted by an unexpected phone call from his former college love, Ronit, who carries a revelation that upends the quiet confidence he has long relied upon.
The news that a hidden chapter of his past includes a son he never knew reshapes the contours of Ariel’s desires and anxieties. Suddenly, the questions that have lingered beneath his polished exterior—about legacy, belonging, and the uncharted terrain of parenthood—rise to the surface with a quiet urgency. Compelled by a blend of curiosity, guilt, and a yearning for connection, Ariel decides to step away from the familiar cadence of his city life and travel toward a place where Ronit and the child once lived.
The film unfolds with a patient, observational tone, allowing the landscape of the coastal town and its slow‑moving rhythms to contrast with Ariel’s previous high‑speed world. Light and shadow play across narrow streets and sea‑breezed terraces, mirroring the protagonist’s internal shift from detachment to a more intimate awareness. Conversations are measured, and each lingering glance hints at untold stories, inviting the audience to share Ariel’s tentative steps into an ordinary yet profoundly unfamiliar life.
Through quiet discovery and understated encounters, Longing becomes a meditation on the ways hidden histories echo into the present. As Ariel navigates this new geography—both physical and emotional—he is drawn into a delicate network of memories and relationships that suggest the possibility of reshaping his own narrative, even as the film leaves the ultimate outcomes delicately unresolved.
Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:53
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.
Patient films that follow characters processing profound loss with aching sincerity.Looking for movies like Longing? This section features patient, character-driven dramas that explore grief and loss with a similar quiet intensity. If you appreciated the methodical, melancholic journey of confronting a profound personal loss, you'll find similar emotionally heavy stories here.
Stories in this thread typically follow a character in the aftermath of a significant loss. The narrative unfolds slowly, often through small discoveries and quiet interactions, as the protagonist attempts to understand or piece together the life that was lost, leading to a personal, bittersweet reckoning.
These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the slow, introspective process of grieving. They prioritize atmosphere and emotional authenticity, featuring low-intensity narratives, heavy emotional weight, and a melancholic tone that allows the viewer to fully inhabit the character's sorrowful journey.
Stories where characters must confront a hidden past and its profound consequences.If you enjoyed the premise of Longing, where a man uncovers the son he never knew, explore these movies about delayed revelations. These films focus on characters confronting a hidden past, often involving family secrets or lost chances, leading to a bittersweet emotional journey of discovery and acceptance.
The narrative pattern begins with a disruptive revelation about the past. The protagonist then embarks on a fact-finding mission, meeting people connected to the secret. This linear, straightforward journey is less about mystery and more about emotional discovery, culminating in a reassessment of the protagonist's identity and life choices.
These films share a core plot device—a life-altering secret from the past—that drives a character's emotional arc. They blend themes of memory, legacy, and regret with a straightforward narrative structure, resulting in a poignant, often bittersweet exploration of alternate lives and unfulfilled longing.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Longing 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 Longing is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Longing, 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.
Track the full timeline of Longing with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Longing. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Longing: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.