Serial

Serial

Year: 1980

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Bill Persky

ComedyRomance

“Honor thy wife, and everyone else’s.” A man resists the California fads that his wife, friends and wealthy Marin County neighbors embrace.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Serial 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 – Serial (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Serial (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1970s

The story unfolds during the late 1970s, a period marked by sexual liberation, open relationships, and a growing interest in personal freedom. Open parties, new-age notions, and evolving social norms shape the characters’ choices. The era's mood amplifies the contrasts between propriety and experimentation within a suburban milieu.

Location

Marin County, California

Set in the trendy Marin County suburbs just north of San Francisco, the film uses sunlit streets and affluent homes to frame a domestic crisis. In the late 1970s, the area is a backdrop of open attitudes, new-age ideas, and shifting family dynamics. The setting highlights the tension between traditional suburban values and the era's experimental spirit.

🗺️ Marin County California 🕰️ 1970s Suburbia 🌀 Counterculture 💔 Family Drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:40

Main Characters – Serial (1980)

Meet the key characters of Serial (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Harvey Holroyd (Martin Mull)

Uptight and mid-life crisis–prone, Harvey wrestles with a stalled career and a fading marriage. He vacillates between traditional expectations and the lure of change, trying to balance duty with personal longing. His struggle drives the domestic upheaval and eventual attempt at reconciliation for Joanie's sake.

⏳ Mid-life 💼 Career Pressure 💔 Marital Strife

Kate Holroyd (Tuesday Weld)

Harvey's wife, a woman swept up in the sexual revolution and new-age ideas. She pursues independence and experimentation, forming connections outside her marriage. Despite mounting tensions, she and Harvey reunite for the sake of their daughter Joanie.

💍 Relationship 🧭 Self-Discovery 🧬 Independence

Joanie Holroyd

Harvey and Kate's rebellious daughter who is lured by a flower-peddling cult. Her pursuit of peace leads her into a restrictive situation that strains the family. Her arc acts as the catalyst that ultimately forces her parents to confront their own issues for her sake.

🎯 Rebellion 🪷 Cult Attraction 🗝️ Family Duty

Angela

Sam's partner, entangled in the era's shifting sexual landscape. Her relationship with Sam mirrors the broader tensions between commitment and personal freedom. She embodies the friction that personal desires create within established bonds.

💞 Relationships 🌐 Open Relationships 🧭 Personal Freedom

Luckman Skull (Christopher Lee)

Harvey's corporate recruiter who becomes a catalyst for the couple's decisions. His revelations and manipulations contribute to shifting power dynamics and the blackmail that underpins the climactic twists. His presence exposes the tension between ambition and personal integrity.

💼 Power 🔍 Secrets 🗡️ Manipulation

Marlene

A free-spirited, 19-year-old vegetarian supermarket cashier who draws Harvey into a new world of sensation and possibility. She embodies casual openness and countercultural vibe that challenges Harvey's rigidity. Her relationship with Harvey reflects the era's experimentation and its consequences.

💃 Romance 🥗 Counterculture 🧭 Self-Discovery

Paco

An Argentinian bisexual aspiring to be an artist, who trims Kate's dog's hair as part of his nonconformist path. He represents artistic longing and fluid sexuality, contributing to the film's exploration of nontraditional relationships. His presence intensifies the tension between domestic security and personal freedom.

🎨 Art 🏳️‍🌈 Sexual Fluidity 🗺️ Global Perspective

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:40

Major Themes – Serial (1980)

Explore the central themes of Serial (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Mid-life Crisis

Harvey's growing dissatisfaction with work and marriage drives the plot, revealing the fragility of rigid adult roles. The film examines how aging, ambition, and desire collide in a man who resists change. The crisis forces his family to reassess commitments and priorities under pressure.

🌈 Freedom & Boundaries

Kate's foray into new-age thinking and open relationships tests the boundaries of marriage. The late-70s sexual climate is dramatized through flirtations, affairs, and the search for personal fulfillment. The story questions whether liberation can coexist with responsibility toward family and children.

🌺 Cult Influence

Joanie is drawn to a flower-peddling cult promising peace and belonging, highlighting the era's susceptibility to seemingly benign communities. The group gradually exerts control, blurring lines between safety and imprisonment. The plot culminates as the family confronts coercion and seeks to rescue a loved one.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:40

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Chaotic family satires like Serial

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a conventional protagonist whose stable life is upended by the eccentricities of their family or community. The plot weaves together multiple character arcs—often involving a mid-life crisis, a spouse's exploration, and rebellious children—culminating in a chaotic but ultimately reaffirming resolution for the family unit.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straight-laced character—usually a husband or father—as they are forced to confront the changing world around them, often embodied by a spouse's new interests. Their resistance gives way to a reluctant, comedic engagement, leading to personal growth and a renewed, if slightly altered, perspective on life.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their focus on the mid-life crisis archetype, explored through a comedic and satirical lens. They share a specific vibe of bewildered self-discovery, a steady pace that allows for character reflection, and a blend of romance and social commentary that keeps the tone light despite touching on serious themes.

Unlock the Full Story of Serial

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

Serial Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Serial, 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.

Serial Summary

Serial Timeline

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

Serial Timeline

Serial Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Serial 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.

Serial Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Serial

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Serial: 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 Serial

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