Mister Lonely

Mister Lonely

Year: 2008

Runtime: 112 min

Language: English

Director: Harmony Korine

DramaComedy

A Michael Jackson impersonator living in the Swiss Alps encounters a community of celebrity look-alikes residing in a secluded commune. Through this unusual meeting, the film explores themes of obsession, identity, and the search for belonging, blending humor and heartfelt moments as the characters forge unexpected connections.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Mister Lonely 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 – Mister Lonely (2008)

Trace every key event in Mister Lonely (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Struggling as an Impersonator

In Paris, a young man finds himself struggling to make ends meet as a Michael Jackson impersonator. He performs in various public spaces and trade shows, grappling with the challenges of being an immigrant and the language barrier that isolates him from others.

Paris
2

A Chance Encounter

While performing at a nursing home, the young man encounters a stunning Marilyn Monroe impersonator whose captivating beauty leaves a lasting impression on him. This meeting ignites a desire within him to learn more about her and the life she leads.

Nursing Home, Paris
3

Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Driven by his fascination, the young man follows the Marilyn Monroe impersonator to a commune nestled in the serene Scottish Highlands. Here, he discovers a unique community of impersonators embodying their characters, including notable figures like Pope and Madonna.

Scottish Highlands
4

Life in the Commune

The commune initially presents a peaceful existence filled with camaraderie among the impersonators. However, beneath the surface, the interactions reveal hidden tensions, particularly with Marilyn's husband, Charlie Chaplin, suggesting possible abuse.

Commune, Scottish Highlands
5

Tragedy Strikes with the Sheep

A crisis unfolds when illness sweeps through the commune's sheep population, leading to the heart-wrenching decision to cull them. This event shatters the harmony of their commune life, introducing stress and despair among the residents.

Commune, Scottish Highlands
6

Performing for Attention

In a desperate attempt to attract outside attention, the group begins constructing a stage for performances. Their efforts lead to a show that, unfortunately, sees a disappointing turnout, exacerbating the sense of isolation they feel.

Commune, Scottish Highlands
7

A Heartbreaking Loss

The atmosphere turns tragic when it is discovered that the Marilyn Monroe impersonator has taken her own life in the woods surrounding the commune. This devastating event leaves an indelible mark on the community and stirs deep emotional turmoil.

Commune, Scottish Highlands
8

Leaving the Commune

Stricken by grief and disillusionment, the Michael Jackson impersonator decides to leave the commune. He retreats to his former apartment in Paris, filled with the weight of recent events hanging over him.

Commune to Paris
9

A Solitary Reflection

In a poignant moment of solitude, the impersonator engages in an unusual dialogue with a row of eggs, each adorned with drawn-on faces of the deceased Marilyn Monroe. This act symbolizes his longing for connection and solace as he seeks the strength to move forward.

Apartment, Paris
10

Public Celebration in Paris

As he walks through the streets of Paris, the young man is surrounded by a public celebration. Stripped of his makeup and identity, he experiences a bittersweet moment of belonging amidst the festivities.

Paris
11

The Convent Subplot

Interwoven in the narrative is a subplot involving a convent in a developing country. One nun survives a miraculous fall from a plane while on a mission, leading her and fellow nuns to take leaps of faith in the name of their beliefs.

Developing Country
12

Faith Leads to Tragedy

The nuns' misguided jumps from planes, rooted in their faith, take a tragic turn. The film concludes with the haunting image of their lifeless bodies discovered washed ashore, illuminating the perils of blind faith.

Shoreline, Developing Country

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 16:41

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 Dreamlike Communes like in Mister Lonely

Stories of isolated, eccentric communities built on shared fantasies and fragile identities.If you enjoyed the surreal commune of celebrity impersonators in Mister Lonely, this thread features movies with similar settings. Discover other films about isolated communities, shared fantasies, and the bittersweet search for belonging in worlds built on unconventional dreams and fragile identities.

quirkydreamlikemelancholicisolatedreflectivetragichopeful

Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with an outsider's arrival into an unconventional, insular community that operates by its own rules. The initial charm and peculiarity give way to an exploration of the cracks in the community's foundation, typically revolving around the conflict between collective fantasy and harsh reality, leading to a crisis that tests every member's faith in the dream.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their central, surreal setting—the idealized or delusional community—and the shared emotional arc from enchantment to disenchantment. The films share a tone that mixes quirky, whimsical character moments with a melancholy undercurrent, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the cost of living a fantasy.

Bittersweet Identity Journeys like in Mister Lonely

Character-driven stories about the painful yet hopeful search for self and connection.For viewers who appreciated the poignant search for identity in Mister Lonely, this thread collects movies with similar emotional journeys. Find other character-driven dramas about shedding false personas, coping with loneliness, and finding a bittersweet form of hope and self-acceptance after loss and disillusionment.

lonelymelancholicreflectivetragichopefulheartfeltintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character who is defined by a role, a trauma, or a profound sense of alienation. The plot is less about external events and more about their internal struggle, often catalyzed by encountering a new person or community. The journey involves confronting painful truths, leading to a climax of loss or disillusionment, but concludes with a quiet, hard-won step toward a more authentic self.

Why These Movies?

These films share a central focus on the protagonist's emotional and psychological arc of self-discovery. They are united by a bittersweet tone that acknowledges pain and tragedy while leaving room for resilience and hope, and a slow, reflective pacing that allows for deep character immersion.

Unlock the Full Story of Mister Lonely

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

Mister Lonely Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mister Lonely, 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.

Mister Lonely Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mister Lonely

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mister Lonely

Mister Lonely Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Mister Lonely 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.

Mister Lonely Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mister Lonely

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

Similar Movies to Mister Lonely

Discover movies like Mister Lonely 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.