Short Term 12

Year: 2008

Runtime: 22 mins

Language: English

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Drama

In a group home for troubled teens, head counselor Denim works with counselor Natalia. Over one day they handle a fighting boy with a week left before his 18th birthday, a birthday girl, and other residents. Denim soothes a youth with music, mentors a new staff member, smokes a marijuana cigarette on break, and ends the shift talking with Natalia.

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Timeline & Setting – Short Term 12 (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Short Term 12 (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

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Main Characters – Short Term 12 (2008)

Meet the key characters of Short Term 12 (2008), 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: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

Major Themes – Short Term 12 (2008)

Explore the central themes of Short Term 12 (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

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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.

Intimate institutional dramas like Short Term 12

Raw dramas set within the confines of care facilities and found families.Discover movies like Short Term 12 that delve into the lives of caregivers and residents within institutional settings. If you were moved by the raw, intimate portrayal of a group home, these similar dramas explore the delicate balance of trauma, hope, and resilience in places of care.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically unfold within a contained setting like a group home, rehab center, or hospital. The narrative follows both the staff and the residents, often over a condensed timeline, revealing personal histories and interpersonal dynamics that fuel the emotional core. The conflict arises from internal struggles, systemic limitations, and the difficult path toward healing.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their specific, authentic setting and the powerful dual perspective of caregivers and care receivers. They share a commitment to emotional honesty, a mix of heavy themes and hopeful resilience, and a focus on how fragile support systems can function as a form of found family.

Cathartic trauma recovery stories like Short Term 12

Heavy emotional stories where characters grapple with past pain to find hope.Find movies similar to Short Term 12 that explore heavy themes of trauma and the hard-won path to healing. If you appreciated its raw look at recovery, self-harm, and cathartic connection, these films offer similarly powerful and hopeful emotional journeys for their characters.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters burdened by a traumatic past that is gradually revealed. The story follows their struggle to cope, often through self-destructive behaviors, while being challenged by support systems—a therapist, a friend, or a found family. The climax is often a breakthrough or confrontation, leading to a bittersweet but hopeful resolution that acknowledges the scars while celebrating progress.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their unflinching yet hopeful approach to heavy subject matter. They share a high emotional intensity, a focus on psychological realism, and a core belief in the possibility of healing, making the viewing experience both harrowing and ultimately cathartic.

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Short Term 12 Summary

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Short Term 12 Timeline

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Short Term 12 Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Short Term 12

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Short Term 12: 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 Short Term 12 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.