Submarine

Submarine

Year: 2011

Runtime: 97 min

Language: english

DramaComedy

Oliver Tate, a teenage boy on the cusp of adulthood, grapples with his parents’ complicated relationship and his own budding romantic feelings. He desperately tries to prevent his mother from reuniting with a former lover while also attempting to lose his own innocence. The film explores the awkwardness of adolescence, family secrets, and the challenges of first love with a blend of humor and heartfelt emotion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Submarine 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 – Submarine (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Submarine (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1986

The year 1986 was marked by significant cultural shifts, with the rise of youth culture influenced by music, fashion, and emerging technology. This period saw a blend of optimism and uncertainty, reflecting the experiences of adolescence that Oliver faces throughout the movie.

Location

Swansea

Swansea is a coastal city in Wales, known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage. The city offers a mix of urban life and natural beauty, with access to stunning beaches and parks, making it an appealing backdrop for young love and personal struggles.

🏖️ Coastal City 🎡 Urban Life

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:49

Main Characters – Submarine (2011)

Meet the key characters of Submarine (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Oliver Tate (Roberts)

Oliver is a 15-year-old boy who believes he is gifted but struggles with social acceptance and emotional intelligence. His misguided attempts to impress Jordana lead to heartache and reflection on his actions, highlighting his growth throughout the film.

👦 Young Adult 💭 Misunderstood

Jordana (Paige)

Jordana is a spirited and sardonic girl who captures Oliver's heart. Her bold personality and complex home life create a dynamic relationship with Oliver, leading to both romantic moments and significant challenges.

🌹 Love Interest 🦄 Unique

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:49

Major Themes – Submarine (2011)

Explore the central themes of Submarine (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Heartbreak

The tumultuous relationship between Oliver and Jordana explores the complexities of young love. Their connection is tested by jealousy, personal issues, and external pressures, showcasing the heartache that often accompanies teenage romance.

🧠 Self-Discovery

Oliver's journey is one of self-discovery as he navigates his feelings and perceptions of himself and those around him. Through his experiences, he learns about the realities of relationships and the importance of empathy.

🌀 Family Dynamics

The film delves into complicated family relationships, particularly Oliver's concern about his parents' marriage. As he tries to understand love and partnership, he also grapples with the impact of his family's issues on his own life.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:49

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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.

Awkward and quirky coming-of-age movies like Submarine

Films that capture the painful humor and social awkwardness of adolescence.If you liked the blend of humor and heart in Submarine, this list features movies with similar coming-of-age stories. These films explore teen angst, first love, and family conflict with a quirky, awkward, and often melancholic tone, perfect for viewers seeking similar bittersweet narratives.

awkwardquirkynostalgicmelancholicanxiousreflectivecoming of age

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow young protagonists navigating the complexities of first love, friendship, and family life. The narrative is often driven by the character's clumsy yet earnest attempts to understand the world and their place in it, resulting in a mix of cringe comedy and genuine emotional growth.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the adolescent experience, characterized by a specific tonal blend of awkward humor and melancholic reflection. They share a similar pacing and medium emotional intensity, creating a coherent vibe of nostalgic, bittersweet observation.

Bittersweet observational dramedies similar to Submarine

Character studies that find humor and heartbreak in everyday life.Find more movies like Submarine that masterfully blend drama and comedy. These observational stories feature unique characters navigating life's challenges, offering a similar mix of heartfelt emotion, subtle humor, and a bittersweet, somewhat ambiguous tone for a cohesive viewing experience.

bittersweetobservationalcharacter-drivenreflectivequirkymelancholichumorousheartfelt

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central character, often an outsider or a keen observer, grappling with internal and external conflicts. The plot is less about high-stakes action and more about the subtle evolution of relationships and self-understanding, leading to endings that feel realistic and thoughtfully unresolved.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their specific tonal recipe: a steady pacing, a medium intensity that avoids melodrama, and a core emotional tone that is bittersweet. They share a focus on character over plot and use humor as a tool for insight rather than just relief.

Unlock the Full Story of Submarine

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

Submarine Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Submarine, 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.

Submarine Summary

Submarine Timeline

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

Submarine Timeline

Submarine Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Submarine 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.

Submarine Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Submarine

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

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Discover movies like Submarine 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.