Tequila Sunrise

Year: 1988

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Towne

ActionThrillerRomanceCrime

Set against the backdrop of the California coast, a former drug dealer named Mac tries to stay on the right side of the law, while Detective Nick bares down on a Mexican drug lord named Carlos. As Nick investigates, he finds himself falling for Mac's old flame, Jo Ann. This complicates matters when Nick unknowingly sets Mac up in a police operation, jeopardizing their friendship and forcing Nick to confront his own loyalties and the blurred lines between justice and personal feelings.

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Timeline & Setting – Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Tequila Sunrise (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:30

Main Characters – Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Meet the key characters of Tequila Sunrise (1988), 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: October 22, 2024 at 20:30

Major Themes – Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Explore the central themes of Tequila Sunrise (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:30

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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.

Sun-drenched noir thrillers with moral conflict like Tequila Sunrise

Stylish crime thrillers where paradise hides corruption and impossible choices.If you liked the stylish tension and moral ambiguity of Tequila Sunrise, explore more movies like it. This thread features similar crime stories and neo-noir thrillers set against beautiful backdrops, where friendship is tested and the lines between right and wrong are permanently blurred.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often revolve around a charismatic figure trying to escape a criminal past, only to be pulled back in by a combination of external pressure and personal connections. A central love triangle or fraught relationship amplifies the stakes, forcing characters to make choices where there are no clear winners, culminating in a bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared vibe: the juxtaposition of a visually appealing, often coastal, setting with high-stakes criminal underworlds and deeply personal betrayals. They balance tense, character-driven drama with a pervasive sense of romantic melancholy and moral uncertainty.

Movies about friendship tested by duty like Tequila Sunrise

Stories where deep bonds are shattered by undercover operations and conflicting loyalties.For viewers who enjoyed the compelling dynamic between Mac and Nick in Tequila Sunrise, this section finds similar movies about friendship tested by duty. These stories focus on the emotional cost of betrayal and the impossible choices that arise when personal loyalties clash with professional obligations.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves two friends on opposite sides of the law—one an authority figure, the other a figure from the criminal world. The investigation forces the law-abiding friend to deceive or entrap the other, leading to a climactic confrontation that explores themes of trust, honor, and the true meaning of loyalty, often ending with a fractured relationship.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their central focus on the 'duty versus friendship' conflict. They share a tense, dramatic tone driven by the emotional weight of betrayal and the pacing of a steady, inevitable collapse of trust, making the interpersonal drama as compelling as the central crime plot.

Unlock the Full Story of Tequila Sunrise

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

Tequila Sunrise Summary

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Tequila Sunrise Timeline

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

Tequila Sunrise Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Tequila Sunrise 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.

More About Tequila Sunrise

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tequila Sunrise: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Tequila Sunrise

Discover movies like Tequila Sunrise 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.