Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 95 min · Hungarian
Echo score 86
JustWatch #19,621 1
Starring
Andor Lukáts, Attila Mokos, Benett Vilmányi, Júlia Ladányi, Linda Moshier, Natasa Stork
Budget
$354M

A neurosurgeon travels to Budapest, hoping to reconnect with a mysterious woman who insists they’re destined to be together. As she explores the city and confronts her own past, the nature of their connection becomes increasingly ambiguous. She questions her memories and perception of time, blurring the lines between reality and a shared fantasy, ultimately challenging her understanding of love and identity.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021)

Where can you watch Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on OVID, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Márta (portrayed by Natasa Stork)

    Márta is a complex character, driven by her emotions and a deep sense of longing for connection. Her professional background as a neurosurgeon contrasts with her personal life, where she experiences confusion and heartbreak. Márta's journey highlights her vulnerability and determination to find the truth about her feelings.

    • 👩‍⚕️ Neurosurgeon
    • 💔 Heartbroken
    • 🔍 Searching
  • János (portrayed by Viktor Bodó)

    János is an enigmatic figure who captivates Márta with his charm. Though he initially shares a profound connection with her, he struggles with his responsibilities as a single father. His character reflects the complexities of relationships and the fears that can impede emotional openness.

    • 👨‍⚕️ Doctor
    • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Complicated
    • 💔 Reluctant
  • Helen (portrayed by Linda Moshier)

    Helen serves as a supportive friend who encourages Márta to pursue her feelings for János. Her presence highlights the importance of friendship during times of emotional distress. Helen's pragmatic approach to millennial relationships provides a contrast to Márta's more obsessive nature.

    • 👭 Friend
    • 🌟 Supportive
    • 🗣️ Advisor

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:55

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time Take Place?

The setting of Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern themes of love, obsession, and emotional turmoil. The characters' interactions and the use of technology underscore the current era, portraying how lives interweave in the digital age.

Location

New Jersey, Budapest

The story takes place in two significant locations: New Jersey and Budapest. New Jersey serves as the backdrop for Márta and János's initial meeting at a conference, emphasizing the medical and professional setting. Budapest, known for its stunning architecture and rich history, becomes the heart of the narrative where Márta takes a leap of faith in her romantic pursuit.

  • 🌉 Liberty Bridge
  • 🇭🇺 Hungary

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:55

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Heartbreak

    The theme of heartbreak is central to the narrative as Márta struggles with her deep emotional investment in János, who ultimately does not reciprocate her feelings in the way she expects. This theme explores the complexities of love and longing, highlighting the pain of unfulfilled connections.

  • Mental Health

    Márta's journey includes seeking therapy, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness. Her fixation on János leads her to question her mental state, showcasing the internal struggles individuals face when navigating love and loss.

  • Searching for Truth

    The quest for truth plays a significant role in the film, as Márta seeks clarity about her feelings for János. Her obsessive behaviors highlight a deeper search for self-understanding and the reality of her circumstances.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:55

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the story take place?

The movie takes place in two main locations: New Jersey, where Márta and János first meet at a medical conference, and Budapest, Hungary, which becomes the central setting for their unfolding relationship. Budapest's iconic architecture, including Liberty Bridge, serves as a visually striking backdrop that mirrors the romantic and psychological tension of the narrative.

  • budapest
  • new jersey
  • setting
  • locations
  • hungary
Q2

What time period is the film set in?

The film is set in contemporary modern times, reflecting current attitudes toward love, technology, and relationships. The characters use everyday technology and navigate the digital age, emphasizing that the story's emotional themes of obsession and heartbreak are timeless yet distinctly rooted in today's world.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • era
Q3

What are the main themes of the film?

The movie explores three interconnected themes: heartbreak, which centers on Márta's unrequited emotional investment; mental health, depicted through her therapy sessions and questioning of her own reality; and the search for truth, as Márta obsessively seeks clarity about her feelings and whether her memories are reliable.

  • themes
  • heartbreak
  • mental health
  • truth
  • love
  • obsession
Q4

Who is Márta and what is her role in the story?

Márta is a neurosurgeon portrayed by Natasa Stork who travels to Budapest to pursue a mysterious connection with János. Her professional expertise in the medical field contrasts sharply with her emotional vulnerability and confusion about reality. She represents the tension between rational control and romantic obsession.

  • marta
  • neurosurgeon
  • protagonist
  • character
Q5

Who is János and what is his role in the story?

János, played by Viktor Bodó, is an enigmatic single father who captures Márta's attention at a conference. Though he initially shares a profound connection with her, he struggles with emotional openness and his responsibilities as a parent. He serves as the object of Márta's fixation, representing both the promise and the ambiguity of romantic connection.

  • jános
  • single father
  • love interest
  • character
Q6

What role does Helen play in the movie?

Helen, portrayed by Linda Moshier, is Márta's supportive friend who encourages her to pursue her feelings for János. Her pragmatic, millennial approach to relationships provides a contrast to Márta's more obsessive and emotionally driven nature, highlighting the importance of friendship during times of emotional crisis.

  • helen
  • friend
  • supporting character
Q7

Why is Budapest important to the story?

Budapest serves as both a literal destination and symbolic setting for Márta's leap of faith. The city's rich history and stunning architecture create a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the blurring lines between reality and fantasy in Márta's mind. Her decision to abandon her career in New Jersey for a potentially imaginary connection in Budapest drives the narrative's emotional core.

  • budapest
  • hungary
  • liberty bridge
  • setting
  • symbolism
Q8

How does the film address mental health?

The movie explores mental health through Márta's journey of seeking therapy and questioning her own perceptions. Her obsessive fixation on János leads her to doubt her memory and sanity, showcasing the internal struggles individuals face when navigating love, loss, and emotional instability. The neurosurgeon profession underscores the irony of someone trained to treat the brain yet unable to understand her own emotions.

  • mental health
  • therapy
  • obsession
  • psychology
Q9

What is the emotional tone of the movie?

The film carries a predominantly melancholic tone characterized by quiet sadness and persistent longing. The slow, contemplative pacing allows the psychological tension to build without overwhelming the viewer. This tone reflects Márta's emotional state as she abandons her career for a connection that may be imaginary, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and yearning.

  • tone
  • melancholy
  • sadness
  • mood
  • atmosphere
Q10

What does the film say about love and obsession?

The movie blurs the line between love and obsession, presenting Márta's pursuit of János as both a romantic quest and a potentially unhealthy fixation. Her journey questions whether her feelings represent genuine love or a psychological need for connection, ultimately leaving the nature of their relationship ambiguous while acknowledging that love can both empower and destabilize one's sense of self.

  • love
  • obsession
  • romance
  • relationships
  • fixation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about obsessive love blurring reality like Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time

Characters become consumed by a romantic fixation that questions their perception of reality. If you liked the psychological ambiguity and yearning in Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, explore these movies. They feature characters gripped by an enigmatic love, leading them to question their memories and sanity in similar slow-burn, melancholic dramas.

  • obsessive
  • psychological
  • dreamlike
  • anxious
  • yearning
  • introspective
  • Tone: melancholic, tense, dreamlike
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist who becomes fixated on a person or a past connection, often one that may be partly or wholly imagined. The plot revolves around their pursuit, which functions as a psychological investigation into their own mind. The central conflict is internal, pitting desire against doubt, and the resolution is often ambiguous, leaving the nature of the connection open to interpretation.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core focus on love as an unsettling, psychologically destabilizing force. They employ a similar mood of melancholic yearning and anxious introspection, using a deliberate pacing to explore the fragile boundary between a powerful emotional bond and a dangerous obsession.

Slow melancholic journeys of self-discovery like Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time

Contemplative stories of characters adrift in unfamiliar places, searching for meaning. For viewers who appreciated the slow pacing and melancholic mood of Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, this collection highlights similar character-driven dramas. These movies share a focus on introspective characters in a state of transition, exploring themes of identity, memory, and loneliness in a contemplative way.

  • melancholic
  • introspective
  • lonely
  • contemplative
  • yearning
  • dreamlike
  • Tone: melancholic, introspective, lonely
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character, often at a crossroads, who enters a new environment or returns to a familiar one. The external journey mirrors an internal one, as they wander and reflect, confronting memories and unresolved emotions. The plot is less about external events and more about the subtle shifts in perception and understanding that occur through quiet observation and introspection.

Why they belong together: These films are united by a specific emotional and stylistic blend: a deliberately slow pace, a melancholic and often lonely atmosphere, and a central theme of searching for one's place in the world. They offer a similar viewing experience that is patient, emotionally nuanced, and focused on the quiet moments of human experience.

If you liked this

Movies Like Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time

Similar movies to Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (2021) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app