Rounders

Year: 1998

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: John Dahl

Drama

Haunted by his past as a professional gambler, Mike McDermott attempts to leave the poker world behind. However, when his former friend, Worm, finds himself indebted to a dangerous Russian gangster named Teddy "KGB," Mike is drawn back into the high-stakes game to help him pay off a substantial debt. Navigating a world of cunning players and ruthless consequences, Mike must confront his own demons and risk everything to help his friend.

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Timeline & Setting – Rounders (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rounders (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:05

Main Characters – Rounders (1998)

Meet the key characters of Rounders (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:05

Major Themes – Rounders (1998)

Explore the central themes of Rounders (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:05

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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.

High-Stakes Redemption Stories like Rounders

Characters risk everything for a second chance in a dangerous world.If you enjoyed the tense, high-stakes world of Rounders, explore more movies about skilled protagonists pulled back for one last gamble. These films feature characters using their unique talents under pressure to pay a debt or save a friend, often leading to a bittersweet personal redemption. Find similar dramas centered on gambling, debt, and dangerous second chances.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist with a specific, often morally ambiguous, skill set who is dragged back into their old life by a crisis, typically involving a debt or a endangered friend. The story unfolds under a tight deadline, forcing a series of high-risk confrontations. The climax results in a form of victory, but the resolution is bittersweet, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made along the way.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core combination of high-tension pacing driven by a urgent goal, a focus on strategic skill and calculated risk, and a morally complex protagonist on a redemptive path. The similarity lies in the gritty atmosphere, the constant pressure of high stakes, and the emotionally costly nature of the victory.

Movies about Tested Loyalty like Rounders

Friendship is tested by dangerous obligations and tough choices.Fans of Rounders will appreciate these dramas centered on friendship tested by dangerous debts and criminal threats. These films explore the tough choices a character makes when loyalty to a friend conflicts with their own well-being, creating a tense and morally complex narrative. Discover similar stories about the heavy cost of friendship and obligation.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a relatively stable protagonist whose life is disrupted by the return of a loyal but reckless friend who brings serious trouble. The central conflict is an internal moral struggle: do they abandon their friend or jeopardize their own safety and future to help? The journey is a tense spiral of escalating consequences directly resulting from this choice of loyalty.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the theme of loyalty under extreme duress. They create a specific vibe of anxiety and moral tension, as the viewer is caught in the protagonist's dilemma. The similarity is in the emotional core of a friendship being the primary driver of a high-stakes, fast-paced plot.

Unlock the Full Story of Rounders

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

Rounders Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rounders, 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.

Rounders Timeline

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Rounders Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Rounders

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rounders: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like Rounders 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.