Song to Song

Song to Song

Year: 2017

Runtime: 129 min

Language: English

Director: Terrence Malick

DramaRomanceMusic

Within the energetic Austin music scene, two couples find their lives and relationships deeply intertwined. Successful songwriters Faye and B.V. grapple with the challenges of their creative partnership and the pressures of the music industry. Simultaneously, Cook, a record producer, and April, a waitress, become entangled in a complicated relationship fueled by mutual desire and hidden agendas. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and betrayal against the backdrop of Austin’s vibrant nightlife and music culture.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Song to Song 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!

Song to Song (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Song to Song (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the lively setting of Austin, Texas, a gifted guitarist named Faye embarks on an ambitious journey to achieve greatness in the music industry. Her passion is ignited by a whirlwind romance with Cook, a powerful record producer whose influence could unlock the doors to her dreams. Complications arise when she also becomes involved with BV, a musician with a taste for fame and a connection to Cook through their professional ties. Their intricate relationships take a turn during a trip to Mexico, where underlying secrets loom beneath their interactions.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Rhonda, a former kindergarten teacher turned waitress, finds herself caught in a stormy romance with Cook. As their relationship develops, he impresses her mother with extravagant gifts, including a house, solidifying his grip on Rhonda’s affections. Nevertheless, tensions begin to simmer between Cook and BV, leading to a fracture in their once solid friendship.

As Faye wrestles with the ethical dilemmas stemming from her affair with Cook, she eventually confides in BV, who decides to end their relationship in response. Seeking solace, Faye forms a connection with Zoey, a French woman living in the United States, whose presence helps rekindle Faye’s creative aspirations.

As Rhonda starts to expose discomfort regarding Cook’s hedonistic lifestyle, characterized by reckless behavior and substance abuse, the strain on their relationship becomes evident, culminating in a tragic twist: Rhonda takes her own life, leaving Cook heartbroken and devastated by the void her absence creates.

In the wake of this tragedy, Faye and BV find their way back to each other, reigniting their romance. However, as BV faces family obligations—particularly his father’s illness—he makes the tough decision to leave the bustling city behind and pursue a simpler life, working on a drilling rig. In a show of loyalty, Faye decides to join him, leading to a heartfelt declaration of their undying love as they embark on a new, yet equally passionate, chapter of their lives together.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:43

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.

Atmospheric Artist Dramas like Song to Song

Atmospheric stories exploring the dark side of creative passion and desire.Find movies like Song to Song that capture the bittersweet reality of artistic life. These films share a melancholic tone, a focus on creative communities, and a dreamlike pacing that explores the cost of passion.

melancholicatmosphericintrospectiveobsessivesensualbroodingdreamlike

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often unfold through impressionistic vignettes rather than a linear plot, charting the emotional arcs of characters whose creative pursuits are deeply entangled with their romantic and personal failings, often leading to disillusionment.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the artist's journey, a pervasive melancholic and sensual atmosphere, and a pacing that values introspection over high drama, creating a similar immersive and brooding experience.

Bittersweet Hedonism Stories like Song to Song

Characters chase pleasure in vibrant settings, only to find emptiness and a bittersweet resolution.If you liked the journey from desire to disillusionment in Song to Song, explore these movies. They feature characters entangled in hedonistic worlds, grappling with infidelity and betrayal, culminating in a bittersweet emotional reckoning.

hedonisticbittersweetsensualmelancholicdisillusionedromanticbrooding

Narrative Summary

Stories typically follow a character or group as they are seduced by a world of excess and freedom. This leads to complicated relationships, ethical compromises, and a crisis that forces a reevaluation of their path, often ending with a quieter, more reflective life.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative arc of entering and ultimately questioning a hedonistic lifestyle. They are united by a bittersweet ending feel, medium emotional weight, and themes of love triangles, betrayal, and the search for authentic connection.

Unlock the Full Story of Song to Song

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

Song to Song Timeline

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

Song to Song Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Song to Song

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Song to Song. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Song to Song

Song to Song Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Song to Song 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.

Song to Song Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Song to Song

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

Similar Movies to Song to Song

Discover movies like Song to Song 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.