Year: 1987
Runtime: 93 min
Language: English
Director: Alan Clarke
Two teenage babysitters, Rita and Sue, living in a working-class neighborhood in northern England, become entangled in an affair with their affluent employer, Bob. As Bob's marriage falls apart, the two young women find themselves navigating a complicated and increasingly precarious relationship, blurring the lines between desire and exploitation while seeking an escape from their difficult circumstances.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Rita, Sue and Bob Too 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!
Get a spoiler-free look at Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987) 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 grey‑washed suburbs of Bradford, the film settles into a world where drab council houses press up against more polished middle‑class streets, creating a palpable contrast that feels both intimate and unsettling. The everyday sounds of a working‑class community—bustling markets, clattering buses, laughter spilling from cramped kitchens—mix with a lingering sense of yearning for something beyond the soot‑stained walls. A dry, observational humor runs alongside a raw social realism, giving the picture a tone that is simultaneously witty, uneasy, and oddly hopeful.
_ Rita_ and Sue are two teenage girls on the cusp of adulthood, sharing a cramped flat and a friendship forged by shared hardship and an unrelenting desire to escape their circumstances. They take on babysitting work for a seemingly respectable couple, stepping into a home that feels like a different world—cleaner, more spacious, and tinged with the promises of middle‑class stability. Their employer, Bob, is a charismatic but weary man whose own marriage shows signs of strain, and whose presence introduces a ripple of intrigue that disrupts the girls’ routine.
The connection between the three is charged with an uneasy mix of curiosity, attraction, and power imbalance. Bob offers the girls a glimpse of a life beyond their council estate, while Rita and Sue bring a youthful boldness that both excites and unsettles him. Their interactions are laced with a tentative flirtation that hints at deeper complications, setting the stage for a delicate dance of desire and exploitation. The film watches this triangle closely, letting the audience feel the tension that builds in ordinary moments—a shared drink, a lingering glance, a quiet conversation that suggests more than what is said.
As the story unfolds, the stark environment and the characters’ restless ambitions keep the audience poised on the edge of possibility. The film invites viewers to contemplate how far the girls might go to break free from the constraints of their world, and what the cost of such a pursuit could be, all while maintaining a balance between humor and the stark realities of the lives it portrays.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:40
Don't stop at just watching — explore Rita, Sue and Bob Too 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 Rita, Sue and Bob Too is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Rita, Sue and Bob Too, 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.
Track the full timeline of Rita, Sue and Bob Too with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Rita, Sue and Bob Too 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.
Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Rita, Sue and Bob Too – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Rita (2024) Full Summary & Key Details
Educating Rita (1983) Full Summary & Key Details
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Scarborough (2019) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Born Romantic (2001) Detailed Story Recap
Boys and Girls (2000) Full Movie Breakdown
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) Movie Recap & Themes
Rye Lane (2023) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Babysitters (2008) Film Overview & Timeline
Seeing Other People (2004) Film Overview & Timeline
A Room for Romeo Brass (2000) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Say It Isn't So (2001) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Nest (2020) Story Summary & Characters
Babysitter (2022) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Sitter (2011) Film Overview & Timeline