Quintet

Quintet

Year: 1979

Runtime: 118 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Altman

Amid a perpetual winter that has driven humanity toward extinction, survivors pass the endless days by obsessively playing a board game known as Quintet. A handful of rebels take the game to a deadly extreme, using living participants as pieces; only the final victor lives, while the rest are eliminated.

Quintet (1979) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Quintet (1979) 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 a world locked in an endless winter, the last remnants of humanity cling to survival while the landscape itself seems to have given up. The cold has driven people to seek meaning in the ritualistic board game known as Quintet, a pastime that has become both a distraction and a desperate measure of control. As resources dwindle, the game takes on a strange reverence, hinting that the stakes may be far higher than a simple roll of dice.

_ Es​sex_, a weather‑worn seal hunter, trudges across the barren tundra with his pregnant partner Vi​via, hoping to reach a sanctuary where family still exists. Their journey toward the north is as much a search for warmth as it is a quest to reunite with his brother Fr​ancha, a man who represents a fragile thread of hope in an otherwise desolate existence. The pair’s bond and determination stand out against the stark whiteness, suggesting that even in the bleakest conditions, human connection can still flicker.

When they finally arrive at a remote outpost that houses the infamous Hotel Electra, they encounter a society that has turned Quintet into something far more ritualistic. Gr​igor, the smooth‑talking dealer, welcomes them into a world where the game’s elegant mechanics mask a relentless pressure. Among the regulars is the enigmatic Am​brosia, known as the “sixth player,” whose presence adds an uncanny layer to the competition, and St​. Christopher, a seasoned gambler whose reputation precedes him. Here, the line between a simple hand and a matter of life blurs, hinting that the final victor may claim more than a trophy.

The film bathes its icy backdrop in a slow‑burning tension, balancing stark beauty with an undercurrent of looming danger. As Essex becomes drawn deeper into the orbit of Quintet, the audience is left to wonder how far one will go when the game becomes the only chance for survival, and whether the promise of a single win can justify the cost of everything else.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:57

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Movies with a Bleak Sci-Fi Atmosphere like Quintet

Deliberately paced stories of humanity's end where survival has lost all meaning.For viewers who appreciated the oppressive, frozen apocalypse and existential themes of Quintet. This list features movies like Quintet that are slow-burn, thought-provoking science fiction stories about human extinction, moral decay, and the futility of survival in a harsh, dying world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a disillusioned protagonist navigating a collapsed world. The central conflict is often internal—a battle against despair and the search for meaning in a reality that offers none. Plots unfold slowly, revealing the depths of the world's decay and the protagonist's gradual emotional or moral disintegration.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared commitment to a bleak, contemplative tone and a slow, atmospheric pace. They prioritize mood and thematic depth, creating a cohesive experience of existential dread and the chilling realization of humanity's inevitable end.

Thrillers About Deadly Games Similar to Quintet

Stories where a sinister game exposes the darkest aspects of human nature.If you liked the concept of Quintet's lethal board game, this list features movies with similar high-stakes, life-or-death game premises. These stories explore themes of conspiracy, psychological manipulation, and the dark extremes people will go to when survival is the only prize.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative revolves around a protagonist forced to participate in a deadly game with obscure rules. As the game progresses, it reveals a deeper conspiracy or a commentary on the corrupt nature of the society that created it. The plot is driven by mystery, betrayal, and the gradual erosion of the protagonist's humanity as they play to survive.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core premise of a life-threatening game that serves as a crucible for testing human morality. They share a high intensity stemming from constant mortal danger and a bleak, often cynical, view of human nature under pressure.

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Quintet Summary

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Quintet Summary

Quintet Timeline

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Quintet Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Quintet

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Quintet

More About Quintet

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