Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Year: 1977

Runtime: 136 min

Language: English

Director: Richard Brooks

DramaRomance

A schoolteacher named Theresa, feeling unfulfilled, seeks excitement and connection through anonymous encounters in nightclubs and bars. Her quest for a man she calls "Mr. Goodbar" leads her down a dangerous path, blurring the lines between desire and recklessness. As she becomes increasingly consumed by this pursuit, her life spirals out of control, threatening her career and relationships.

Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) 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 quiet, tightly‑knit suburbs of 1970s Chicago, a young schoolteacher feels the weight of routine pressing down on her every day. Theresa drifts through classrooms and family gatherings with a polite smile, yet beneath her composed exterior lies a restless longing for something more vivid than the predictable cadence of lesson plans and church‑filled Sundays. The world she inhabits is split between the hushed, orderly realm of her Catholic family and the pulse‑quickening allure of downtown nightclubs, where neon lights and clinking glasses promise anonymity and exhilaration.

Guided by an intellectual crush on her graduate professor, Martin, she teeters on the edge of propriety, flirting with ideas of seduction that clash sharply with the moral codes surrounding her. At home, her sister Katherine—a flight attendant with her own tangled romantic entanglements—offers a glimpse of a freer, if chaotic, lifestyle, hinting at a path where responsibility yields to impulse. The atmosphere buzzes with a muted tension, as Theresa balances the expectations of a devout family and the magnetic pull of a world that seems to whisper that fulfillment can be found in fleeting, reckless encounters.

The film’s tone sways between subdued, introspective moments and the feverish energy of late‑night haunts, painting a portrait of a woman caught between desire and duty. As she steps deeper into the city’s after‑hours scene, the line between seeking connection and courting danger blurs, leaving her to navigate a maze of longing, self‑discovery, and the ever‑present fear that each choice could unravel the delicate balance she has built. The story invites viewers to wonder how far Theresa will go in her quest for the elusive “Mr. Goodbar,” and what the cost of that pursuit might ultimately be.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:14

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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.

Dark Descent Stories like in Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Character studies of individuals spiraling into their own personal abyss.For viewers who appreciated the grim trajectory of Looking for Mr. Goodbar, this list features movies with similar character arcs of self-destruction. If you liked watching Theresa's dangerous search for connection, you'll find other intense dramas exploring addiction, reckless behavior, and tragic downfalls.

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Narrative Summary

Movies in this thread typically follow a central character who, due to inner turmoil or a search for meaning, engages in increasingly risky and harmful behavior. The narrative structure is often a steady, inevitable progression towards a bleak climax, focusing on the psychological unraveling of the protagonist.

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These films are grouped together because they share a deep focus on a character's psychological descent. They create a similar viewing experience through their oppressive tone, heavy emotional weight, and unflinching portrayal of self-destructive choices, resulting in a powerful and somber impact.

Movies about Dangerous Longing like Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Stories of profound loneliness leading to risky pursuits of intimacy.If the theme of searching for connection in the wrong places from Looking for Mr. Goodbar resonated with you, this collection highlights similar films. Discover other movies like this where characters driven by loneliness enter volatile situations and dangerous relationships, capturing a similar mood of anxious desperation.

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Narrative Summary

The core pattern involves a lonely protagonist attempting to fill an emotional void through encounters in gritty, nocturnal, or otherwise unsafe settings. The story builds tension as the character's quest for intimacy becomes intertwined with escalating risk, creating a palpable sense of impending doom.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their exploration of the theme of dangerous longing. They share a specific melancholic and anxious mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a focus on the psychological conflict between the need for connection and the instinct for self-preservation.

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Looking for Mr. Goodbar Summary

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Looking for Mr. Goodbar Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Looking for Mr. Goodbar

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Looking for Mr. Goodbar

More About Looking for Mr. Goodbar

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