Moondance

Moondance

Year: 1994

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Dagmar Hirtz

DramaRomance

Nothing has ever divided the two fun‑loving brothers—until a beautiful, sensitive girl enters their world. Her arrival disrupts their close bond, unleashing inevitable jealousy, confusion, rivalry and lust as the younger sibling comes of age. The growing tension threatens to tear their brotherly love apart.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Moondance (1994)

Trace every key event in Moondance (1994) 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

Brothers' carefree life in the Irish countryside

Patrick and Dominic enjoy a carefree life on the Irish countryside while their mother is frequently away. The brothers share jokes, chores, and long days outdoors. Their world is simple and stable until visitors begin to intrude on their routine.

Opening / Early life Countryside, Western Ireland
2

Dorothy's intervention and Anya's arrival

During Dorothy's visits, she argues that Dominic should receive an education and be sent to boarding school, which Patrick resists. Dorothy then introduces Anya, a young German woman who offers to tutor Dominic and help him practice English. The uneasy dynamic of the house begins to shift as a new figure enters their life.

During Dorothy's visits Countryside home during Dorothy's visits
3

Mother returns and welcomes Anya

Mother Marianne returns home and announces she will stay, changing the household dynamic. She even welcomes Anya into the family, seeing an opportunity for Dominic's education and a steadier future. The brothers react with mixed emotions to this new stability.

After mother's return The family home, Ireland
4

Patrick proposes to Anya

Desperate to keep Anya from leaving, Patrick asks her to marry him, and Anya agrees. The engagement sets a plan in motion that will soon be challenged by loyalties and growing feelings. The family watches the arrangement teeter on the edge of chaos.

Before the wedding day Home
5

Shack in the woods as a wedding gift

For a wedding present, Dominic leads Anya to a lovingly decorated shack in the woods where she can imagine her life with him. He reveals that he has his own dream of a shared future and hints at being her husband too. The moment foreshadows a complicated love triangle.

Before the wedding day Shack in the woods
6

Anya's hesitation and Patrick's blame

On the morning of the wedding, Anya hesitates, saying she needs more time to think. Patrick blames their mother's absence and the recent upheaval for her wavering. The tension between the trio intensifies as they face uncertain futures.

Wedding morning Family home/shack
7

Trio heads toward Dublin and a private moment

Patrick and Anya travel to the shack, where they share a private moment that deepens their bond. Dominic watches with longing and decides he cannot be without his brother, so he decides to accompany them to Dublin. The trio's bond is pushed toward a breaking point by competing loyalties.

Around the plan to leave for Dublin Shack in the woods
8

Life in Dublin: Rose, Murphy, and Ishka

Arriving in Dublin, Anya meets Rose, and Rose's boyfriend Murphy offers them a rent-free flat above his bar. Dominic begins training his greyhound Ishka as a racing dog, pursuing a new kind of independence. The city provides new opportunities but also new tensions.

After arrival in Dublin Dublin; above Murphy's bar
9

Dominic's jealousy and growing tension

Dominic's jealousy grows as he witnesses Patrick and Anya's closeness, threatening the fragile balance among brothers. He fears losing his brother and resents Anya's growing affection toward him. The love triangle intensifies in the city setting.

Soon after arriving Dublin
10

Affection shifts and Patrick's insecurity

Anya begins to show affection toward Dominic, deepening the love triangle and causing friction with Patrick. Patrick's insecurity and anger bubble to the surface as the tensions escalate. The relationships become increasingly tangled.

Rising tension in Dublin Flat above Murphy's bar
11

A tense, interrupted moment of closeness

One night, Anya attempts to be intimate with Dominic, but Patrick interrupts, further fracturing their relationships. The boundaries between the three become blurred and strained. The emotional stakes reach a breaking point.

Soon after item 10 Dublin flat
12

Departure plans and the burning shack

Dominic decides to take a job on a boat, seeking distance from the conflict. Before leaving, he returns home and burns the shack, a dramatic act that signals turmoil and loss. Marianne finds him and offers quiet comfort amid the chaos.

Before Dominic's departure Country shack; boat
13

Anya's revelation and return to Germany

Back in Dublin, Anya tells Patrick that she loves both men and will return to Germany. Her admission marks a turning point, forcing each character to confront the consequences of love and loyalty. The triangle's energy finally shifts toward separation.

After the fire Dublin
14

Resolution and farewell

Dominic and Patrick decide to put their differences behind them and make peace, accepting that their future paths diverge. Dominic says goodbye to Patrick and leaves, stepping into an uncertain but individuated life. The brothers part with a sense of quiet resolve.

Ending Dublin

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:09

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Moondance Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Moondance

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