SubUrbia

SubUrbia

Year: 1997

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: Richard Linklater

DramaComedy

Five teenagers spend their days in a Texas suburb, drifting through life with little purpose and a growing sense of disillusionment. The arrival of Pony, a former friend who achieved rockstar success, shakes up their monotonous routines. His return forces them to examine their stagnant existence, the frustrations of small-town life, and the reasons they feel trapped. The film explores themes of ambition, disappointment, and the struggle to find meaning.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen SubUrbia 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 – SubUrbia (1997)

Trace every key event in SubUrbia (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

First confrontation at Circle A

The group gathers outside Circle A for a night of hanging out, but tensions flare fast. Nazeer and Pakessa order them off the property, and Tim shoves Nazeer in anger. Pakessa pulls a gun, prompting the gang to scatter and the night to turn dangerous.

Evening Circle A corner outside Circle A convenience store and gas station
2

Sooze, Jeff, and the Whataburger moment; Bee-Bee's van encounter

Jeff and Sooze swing by Whataburger, arguing about her plans to move to New York. Buff spots Bee-Bee alone and presses her about a cloud he filmed with a stolen video camera. They retreat to a nearby abandoned van where they have sex.

Night Whataburger and nearby abandoned van
3

Pony's arrival and the reunion setup

Pony Moynihan arrives in a limousine with Erica, eager to reconnect with old friends. He asks Sooze to design Dreamgirl's next album cover, which stirs jealousy in Jeff. Buff flirts with Erica as Pony performs, and Bee-Bee drifts away while the group plans to eat out, with Tim staying behind.

Night Circle A
4

Restaurant outing and Tim's backstory

They head out for a late meal, but Tim remains aloof as Erica is drawn to his misanthropic vibe. Jeff's jealousy surfaces again as Pony tries to smooth things over. Tim reveals his discharge story—he cut off the tip of his pinky and now gets a disability check—insisting he isn't a nice guy, while Erica still expresses a wish to go to the van, though Tim can't perform.

Evening Restaurant
5

Back at Circle A: Bee-Bee and the bottle

On the way back, Jeff asks for a bathroom stop while Buff is passed out. Sooze and Pony bond while they wait, and Jeff returns to Circle A where Bee-Bee sits with an unopened bottle of alcohol. He listens as she talks about her struggles with alcoholism and rehab, and he ends up drinking with her.

Late night Circle A vicinity
6

Drunken vow to follow Sooze to NYC

Jeff launches into a drunken monologue about overcoming fear, declaring that he plans to follow Sooze to New York. The admission reveals his fear of direction and his longing for something real. The night grows quiet around Circle A as the group processes his confession.

Late night Circle A
7

Tim's evasiveness; Sooze leaves with Pony

The gang gathers again, but Tim remains evasive about Erica’s whereabouts and she remains unreachable. Pony invites Sooze to join him, and Buff climbs into the limousine with them, signaling a drift from the core group.

Night Circle A and limousine
8

Nazeer calls the police; Tim's arrest

Jeff and Tim leave Bee-Bee, who resumes guzzling alcohol. Nazeer calls the police, and Tim is arrested after a tense confrontation. Tim tearfully tells Jeff that he punched Erica and left her in the van.

Night Circle A
9

Erica's situation and the van discovery

As officers take statements, Tim’s confession lingers in the air. Jeff finds Erica’s cellphone lying on the ground outside the van, heightening the sense that something terrible happened and raising the stakes for everyone involved.

Night Near Circle A / van area
10

Buff's sunrise boast and Erica's return

Near sunrise, Buff returns to Circle A, boasting about heading to Los Angeles to shoot Dreamgirl’s video and claiming he slept with Erica. Erica herself appears unharmed, cutting down Buff’s bravado and unsettling Jeff.

Near sunrise Circle A
11

Tim's release and the escalating confrontation

Tim is fined and released and walks up as Buff and Erica drive away in the limo. Jeff confronts Buff about his lies, while Tim mocks Jeff’s naiveté. He threatens Nazeer, escalating the tension toward a rooftop standoff.

Early morning Circle A
12

Rooftop standoff and Bee-Bee’s rescue

Tim climbs to the roof and spots Bee-Bee unconscious. He hands her down to Jeff, who believes she’s breathing and calls an ambulance. Nazeer condemns the gang’s choices as the scene ends, implying the night’s decisions have thrown them all away.

Early morning Circle A rooftop

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:57

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.

Unlock the Full Story of SubUrbia

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

SubUrbia Summary

Read a complete plot summary of SubUrbia, 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.

SubUrbia Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in SubUrbia

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in SubUrbia

More About SubUrbia

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

Similar Movies to SubUrbia

Discover movies like SubUrbia 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.