Songbird

Songbird

Year: 2018

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Jamie Adams

Drama

Joanne, the lead singer of the former Britpop band the Filthy Dukes, unexpectedly finds herself enrolled in university after a night of heavy drinking with her friend Sara. Determined to shake up the student population with her rock 'n' roll lifestyle, she discovers that the young adults aren't as enthusiastic about her music as she's hoped. However, amidst the academic setting, Joanne unexpectedly finds opportunities for love and new beginnings, suggesting a chance to reinvent herself.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Songbird 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 – Songbird (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Songbird (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2024

The movie is set in the near future during the year 2024, a time when a mutated COVID-23 pandemic has drastically altered everyday life. Society is strained under lockdowns, quarantine zones, and the black market for immunity bracelets. Technological tools like drones play a key role in surveillance and enforcement during this period.

Location

City with quarantine zones, Sara's apartment, Griffin's estate, warehouse, Q-zone Alpha

The story takes place in a contemporary city ravaged by a deadly pandemic, featuring heavily guarded quarantine zones and private estates. The city landscape reflects a society divided by access to safety and resources. Warehouses and industrial sites serve as clandestine locations for black-market activities, highlighting the societal impact of the crisis.

🌆 Urban 🏙️ Modern 🏡 Residential 🏭 Industrial

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

Main Characters – Songbird (2018)

Meet the key characters of Songbird (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nico Price (KJ Apa)

A resourceful bike courier who is immune to the virus. He is dedicated to rescuing Sara, risking his safety to infiltrate quarantine operations and confront corrupt authorities. Nico exhibits bravery, determination, and a sense of loyalty.

🛵 Courrier 💪 Resilient 🧠 Sharp

Sara Garcia (Sofia Carson)

An ordinary woman caught in extraordinary circumstances, trying to protect her grandmother Lita and herself. Her immunity status makes her a target, and her resilience and compassion drive her actions. Sara's character symbolizes hope amidst despair.

👩‍🦳 Caregiver 💖 Brave 🚶‍♀️ Survivor

William Griffin (Bradley Whitford)

A wealthy man involved in black-market trades of immunity passes, displaying moral ambiguity and selfishness. His actions reflect the corruption and greed that thrive during societal collapse. William’s character embodies the exploitation of crisis for personal gain.

💼 Rich 🥀 Corrupt 🕵️‍♂️ Manipulative

May (Alexandra Daddario)

A talented singer trying to regain her footing through livestream performances. She develops a friendship with Michael and seeks liberation from oppressive figures like William. May’s character highlights the importance of art and hope in dark times.

🎤 Artist 🎭 Hopeful 🌐 Connected

Michael Dozer (Paul Walter Hauser)

A devoted army vet working on surveillance drones, he becomes a protective figure for May. His loyalty and bravery show in his efforts to help others escape danger. He represents resilience and steadfastness amidst chaos.

🪖 Veteran 🕊️ Loyal 👨‍💻 Tech-savvy

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

Major Themes – Songbird (2018)

Explore the central themes of Songbird (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧬 Survival

The film centers on the theme of survival amidst a lethal pandemic. Characters navigate a society obsessed with immunity and protection, often risking everything to save loved ones. The struggle to maintain humanity in a brutal, segregated world is a core element.

🤝 Trust & Betrayal

Trust is constantly tested among the characters, with secret dealings and black-market exchanges undermining their safety. Betrayal becomes a recurring motif, especially involving those in power like William and Harland, highlighting the corruption amidst crisis.

💪 Resilience

Despite overwhelming obstacles, characters show resilience by fighting for justice, safety, and love. Nico, Sara, May, and others demonstrate perseverance in their efforts to escape the oppressive quarantine system and reclaim agency over their lives.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

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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.

Dystopian Survival Thrillers like Songbird

Desperate characters fight for love and life in a broken society.If you enjoyed the relentless tension and high-stakes survival of Songbird, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar dystopian thrillers with fast pacing, heavy emotional weight, and themes of rebellion and forbidden love in oppressive futures.

tensedesperateoppressivethrillinghopefulanxiousdystopiansurvival

Narrative Summary

These stories unfold in collapsed or authoritarian societies, often triggered by a pandemic or disaster. The plot follows protagonists on a desperate race against time, navigating dangers like black markets and corrupt systems, with their personal relationships acting as a crucial catalyst for rebellion and escape.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared high-intensity, tense atmosphere and depiction of individuals struggling against overwhelming systemic oppression. They blend action-oriented survival with emotionally heavy themes, often culminating in a hopeful but hard-won resolution.

Movies with Hopeful Escapes like Songbird

Grim journeys where love and defiance lead to a brighter future.For viewers who appreciated Songbird's blend of heavy themes with an ultimately hopeful ending. These movies feature characters overcoming extreme adversity, often in tense, fast-paced stories, to find love and a chance to reinvent themselves.

hopefultensecatharticdesperateemotionaldefiantlove-drivensacrifice

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters being trapped—physically or emotionally—in a desperate situation. Their journey is defined by high-risk actions motivated by love or a desire for freedom. Despite the pervasive darkness and sacrifice, the story arc bends toward a cathartic escape or positive change, offering a powerful sense of earned hope.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their specific emotional mix: they maintain a high level of tension and emotional weight throughout, yet conclude with a satisfying, hopeful resolution. This creates a uniquely impactful experience where the light at the end of the tunnel feels genuinely deserved.

Unlock the Full Story of Songbird

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

Songbird Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Songbird, 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.

Songbird Summary

Songbird Timeline

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

Songbird Timeline

Songbird Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Songbird 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.

Songbird Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Songbird

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