Selah and The Spades

Selah and The Spades

Year: 2020

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Tayarisha Poe

Echo Score: 65
Drama

At the prestigious Haldwell Boarding School, a delicate balance of power exists between five rival factions. Selah Summers leads the Spades, a powerful group known for providing students with illicit goods and catering to their desires. Her authority is challenged when Paloma, a talented newcomer, quickly rises within the Spades, displaying a natural aptitude for the group’s operations. As Paloma’s influence grows, Selah’s carefully constructed empire begins to crumble, forcing her to question her position and sense of self.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Selah and The Spades 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 – Selah and The Spades (2020)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Selah and The Spades (2020). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, highlighting modern teenage struggles and ethical dilemmas within a competitive school environment. It reflects a world where social hierarchies and factionalism dictate personal relationships and power plays.

Location

Haldwell Boarding School, Pennsylvania

Haldwell Boarding School is a prestigious institution in Pennsylvania known for its rigorous academics and various student factions. Its picturesque campus provides a backdrop for intense social dynamics, where students grapple with loyalty, betrayal, and ambition amidst an enchanting yet perilous landscape.

🏫 School 🌳 Nature

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

Main Characters – Selah and The Spades (2020)

Meet the key characters of Selah and The Spades (2020), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Selah Summers

Selah Summers is the commanding leader of the Spades, a drug-dealing faction at Haldwell. As she approaches graduation, her intense ambition and darker inclinations begin to unravel, especially when a reflection of herself, Paloma, enters her life. Struggling with her past and the looming threat of betrayal, Selah's character embodies both strength and vulnerability.

👑 Leader 🔪 Ambitious ⚠️ Troubled

Paloma

Paloma is a new student who captures Selah's attention with her remarkable skills and keen insight. As Selah's protégé, Paloma is thrust into the complex dynamics of Haldwell’s social factions. Her character represents the dualities of loyalty and ambition, as she navigates Selah's darker world and confronts her own values.

🌟 Newcomer 📸 Observant 🤝 Loyal

Maxxie

Maxxie stands by Selah as her loyal ally within the Spades. His presence signifies unwavering support but also the burden of navigating the faction's fallout. Maxxie's character showcases the intricate ties of friendship and loyalty, making him a crucial player in the unfolding drama within Haldwell.

🤝 Supportive 📚 Loyal 🔍 Insightful

Bobby

Bobby is the leader of the Bobbies and serves as one of Selah's primary rivals. Her fierce confrontations with Selah reveal a strong-willed character who is not afraid to challenge authority. Bobby's arc further illustrates the complexities of competition and rivalry in a high-stakes environment.

🔥 Rival ⚔️ Assertive 🎭 Complex

Tarit

Tarit, a member of the Sea faction, introduces tension and uncertainty within Selah's reign. With an ominous warning about a potential traitor, Tarit's character amplifies the themes of disloyalty and fear that plague the factions at Haldwell.

⚡ Warning 😠 Untrustworthy 🎲 Manipulative

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

Major Themes – Selah and The Spades (2020)

Explore the central themes of Selah and The Spades (2020), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Betrayal

Betrayal runs deep in the narrative as Selah faces treachery from her own faction and is reminded of her past mistakes. The tension between trust and deception culminates in destructive choices that impact her relationships and her authority within the Spades.

🦇 Power Struggles

The film intricately explores themes of power and control as Selah navigates her role as the leader of the Spades. Her interactions with Paloma, Maxxie, and rival factions highlight the complexities of authority and influence in a high-stakes environment.

💔 Friendship

Friendship in 'Selah and The Spades' is both a source of strength and vulnerability. Selah's mentorship of Paloma showcases how trust can forge deep bonds, yet also lead to devastating realizations about loyalty and the darkness that can linger beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

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.

Ruthless Power Struggles in Claustrophobic Worlds like Selah and The Spades

Intense stories of ambition and control within isolated, high-pressure environments.If you liked the tense power plays and toxic control in Selah and The Spades, explore more movies about ruthless ambition in secluded settings. These films feature similar high-stakes social dynamics, manipulative characters, and a claustrophobic atmosphere that makes every interaction feel like a battle for dominance.

claustrophobicmanipulativetenseruthlessdomineeringanxiouspower-hungryinsular

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often center on a powerful figure whose authority is challenged, leading to a series of psychological maneuvers, alliances, and betrayals. The journey typically involves the corruption of innocence, the heavy toll of leadership, and an ending that questions whether the cycle of power will continue or finally break.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on micro-societies, intense psychological warfare, and a dark, domineering tone. They create a similar viewing experience of high tension and emotional weight, driven by complex characters navigating toxic systems of control.

Toxic Mentorship Stories like in Selah and The Spades

Dark stories where a guide figure leads a protégé down a dangerous path.For viewers who found the twisted dynamic between Selah and Paloma compelling, this section highlights movies with similar toxic mentorship arcs. These films explore the seductive nature of power, the corruption of innocence, and the psychological fallout when a student either surpasses or betrays their teacher.

manipulativemelancholicunsettlingtoxicpsychologicalidentity crisiscorruptionambitious

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a talented but naive individual who is taken under the wing of a powerful, flawed figure. The protégé's rapid ascent and natural aptitude begin to threaten the mentor, leading to jealousy, manipulation, and a climactic power shift. The journey is defined by moral ambiguity, the loss of innocence, and an emotionally heavy conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their deep dive into the dark side of mentorship. They share a steady pacing that allows the toxic relationship to develop, a high intensity from the psychological conflict, and a consistently dark tone that explores themes of identity, power, and corruption.

Unlock the Full Story of Selah and The Spades

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

Selah and The Spades Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Selah and The Spades, 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.

Selah and The Spades Summary

Selah and The Spades Timeline

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

Selah and The Spades Timeline

Selah and The Spades Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Selah and The Spades 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.

Selah and The Spades Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Selah and The Spades

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Selah and The Spades: 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 Selah and The Spades

Similar Movies to Selah and The Spades

Discover movies like Selah and The Spades 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.