Satisfaction

Satisfaction

Year: 1988

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

ComedyRomanceMusic

Jennie Lee and her band, the Mystery, are recent high school graduates chasing a big break in Florida. Their audition journey takes a chaotic turn, involving a van accident and the arrival of an unexpected member. They attract the attention of a club owner named Falcon, who offers them a performance. As they navigate the challenges of the gig, the band members face temptations and test the strength of their friendships while pursuing their musical ambitions.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Satisfaction 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!

Timeline & Setting – Satisfaction (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Satisfaction (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

Set against a late-1980s backdrop, the story captures the energy of teen bands aiming for bigger gigs. The summer tour, high school milestones, and club scenes reflect the era's youth culture and music industry vibe. The outward journey and personal growth mirror an era of bold ambitions and imperfect opportunities.

Location

Baltimore, Maryland, Florida

The film centers on a band from Baltimore that heads south to a Florida beach town for a summer audition. It juxtaposes a sunny, preppy coastal setting with rebellious, punk-infused energy of a girl rock group. Key locations include a seaside club, a beach-house living space, and a rough van-turf where rival groups threaten the crew.

🏖️ Beach town 🎵 Music scene 🧑‍🎤 Youth culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Main Characters – Satisfaction (1988)

Meet the key characters of Satisfaction (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jennie Lee (Julia Roberts)

Jennie Lee is the charismatic lead singer of the all-girl Baltimore rock band the Mystery. She is driven by big dreams and must navigate balancing her college plans with the band's rise. Her leadership shapes the group as she makes difficult choices about fame, friendship, and integrity.

🎤 Lead singer 💪 Determined 🎶 Frontwoman

Daryle

Daryle is the band's bass guitarist and a steady, protective presence within the group. He grapples with romantic entanglements and the pressure of keeping the band cohesive in the face of distractions. His loyalty to Jennie and the others anchors the band's dynamic.

🎸 Bass 💪 Loyal 🤝 Confidant

Mooch

Mooch is the band's drummer, notable for her rebellious attitude and black leather jacket, even in hot weather. She forms bonds with Nicky and becomes a catalyst for the crew’s bold moves, including the van incident. Her tough exterior hides a fiercely loyal streak.

🥁 Drummer 🖤 Rebellious 🤝 Loyal

Billie

Billie is the guitarist who helps improvise bold solutions to band crises. She embodies a pragmatic, resourceful streak, aiding in making risky decisions to keep the group moving toward their dream.

🎸 Guitar 🔧 Resourceful 🔥 Bold

Nicky

Nicky is the male keyboard player who joins the band after their original member leaves. He has a crush on Mooch and provides a more mellow counterpoint to the others' intensity, while also entertaining a professional curiosity about the agent's offer.

🎹 Keyboard 💘 Crush 📈 Ambitious

Frankie

Frankie is the high school sweetheart connected to Daryle, whose story intersects the band's trajectory. His presence highlights the personal stakes involved as the group pursues professional opportunities.

💖 Romantic interest 🗒️ High school sweetheart 🧭 Complicating

Martin Falcon

Martin Falcon is the club owner who offers the band a summer stage and a messy, makeshift home. His weathered, practical approach contrasts with the youthful idealism of Jennie and the Mystery.

🏢 Club owner 🗺️ Seaside 🧭 Opportunist

Hamlet

Hamlet is Falcon's Doberman who befriends the band after a playful introduction and becomes a symbol of the band’s unexpected companionship on tour.

🐶 Dog 🐾 Loyal 🐕 Memorable

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Major Themes – Satisfaction (1988)

Explore the central themes of Satisfaction (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎤 Independence

The band fights for creative control and self-direction, choosing to pursue their music even when it conflicts with individual plans. Jennie leads with conviction, balancing school, romance, and professional opportunities. The tension between opportunity and loyalty to the group drives much of the drama.

🤝 Loyalty

Friendships and bandmates rely on trust and support as they face logistical hurdles, rivalries, and personal struggles. The members rally to help Mooch and each other during crises, showing resilience in the face of adversity. The shared dream binds them, even as personal conflicts threaten to pull them apart.

💿 Fame

A music agent's offer exposes the lure of European gigs and professional success, testing whether the group can stay together for the right reasons. Jennie chooses the band's unity over a solo chance, highlighting the value of collaboration. The price of visibility becomes a central question as the band weighs what matters most.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

Youthful Summer Journeys like in Satisfaction

Stories about young adults finding themselves and their place in the world over one transformative season.Find movies like Satisfaction that capture the spirit of a transformative summer. If you enjoyed the story of a young rock band's adventures, you'll love these similar coming-of-age tales about friendship, ambition, and self-discovery during a pivotal season.

youthfulnostalgichopefulbittersweetsummeradventureheartfeltcelebratory

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a group or individual during a single, defining summer. They embark on a physical or emotional quest—a road trip, a gig, a personal goal—that forces them to confront realities about friendship, loyalty, and their own ambitions. The structure is often linear, moving steadily towards a climax that solidifies their growth.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the formative summer experience, a tone blending hopefulness with bittersweet nostalgia, and a steady pacing that allows for character-driven moments. They evoke a specific feeling of youthful possibility and the poignant end of an era.

Movies about Bands Chasing Dreams like Satisfaction

Ensemble stories about underdog musicians navigating the tensions between friendship and ambition.Explore more films like Satisfaction about aspiring bands and musicians. If you liked the dynamics of Jennie Lee's group facing temptations and loyalty tests, you'll find similar stories here about the joys and struggles of chasing a musical dream together.

rebelliousheartfeltcelebratoryyouthfulfunnostalgicmusicambition

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows an ensemble cast—the band members—as they pursue a common goal of musical success. The plot introduces external opportunities and internal conflicts, such as romantic entanglements, substance temptations, or offers of solo fame, which threaten to fracture the group. The story arc typically builds towards a decisive performance or event that forces a choice between unity and individual ambition.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific world—the struggling music scene—a mix of celebratory performance highs and interpersonal drama, and a central theme of ambition versus loyalty. The vibe is a unique blend of rebellious energy, heartfelt bonding, and the palpable tension of chasing a dream.

Unlock the Full Story of Satisfaction

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

Satisfaction Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Satisfaction, 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.

Satisfaction Summary

Satisfaction Timeline

Track the full timeline of Satisfaction with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Satisfaction Timeline

Satisfaction Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Satisfaction that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Satisfaction Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Satisfaction

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

More About Satisfaction

Similar Movies to Satisfaction

Discover movies like Satisfaction 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.