The Last of the High Kings

The Last of the High Kings

Year: 1996

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: David Keating

DramaComedy

Set in 1977 Dublin, a city pulsing with Thin Lizzy and still stunned by Elvis's death, teen Frankie finishes his final exams and faces the uncertain road to adulthood. Convinced he'll fail, he spends the summer planning a beach party, dreaming about two unattainable girls, fending off an American family friend, and coping with his eccentric family.

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Timeline & Setting – The Last of the High Kings (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Last of the High Kings (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer of 1977

The movie takes place during the summer of 1977, a time marked by cultural shifts and significant events like the death of Elvis Presley. This period reflects the social and political atmosphere of Ireland in the late 1970s. The summer setting emphasizes themes of youth, transition, and nostalgia, capturing a snapshot of life during this era.

Location

Howth, County Dublin, Ireland

Howth is a picturesque coastal village known for its scenic cliffs, harbor, and historic lighthouse. It offers a traditional Irish setting with a close-knit community, popular for seaside walks and fishing. The village provides a charming backdrop for the movie's coming-of-age story, capturing the tranquility and youthful energy of summer.

🌊 Coastal 🇮🇪 Irish 🏘️ Village life

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

Main Characters – The Last of the High Kings (1996)

Meet the key characters of The Last of the High Kings (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frankie Griffin (Jared Leto)

A teenage boy navigating the emotional turbulence of adolescence, Frankie is optimistic yet insecure about his future. His character embodies youthful curiosity, longing, and the desire to find his place in the world amidst familial and societal pressures.

🎸 Teenager 💭 Dreamer 🧭 Searching

Romy Thomas (Emily Mortimer)

A kind and confident girl, Romy is a love interest who symbolizes youthful desire and emotional vulnerability. Her interactions with Frankie highlight themes of affection and teenage complexity, serving as a catalyst for his romantic development.

💖 Love interest 🌟 Confident 😊 Compassionate

Cathleen (Catherine O'Hara)

Frankie's mother, an outspoken and protective figure, embodies traditional Irish values. Her overbearing attitude and occasional comic relief underscore her concern for her family’s reputation and her support for her children’s growth, despite her firm stance.

👩 Mother 🎭 Comedic 🛡️ Protector

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

Major Themes – The Last of the High Kings (1996)

Explore the central themes of The Last of the High Kings (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎸 Coming of Age

The film explores the journey of adolescence, focusing on Frankie’s experiences with love, identity, and self-discovery. It highlights the challenges and joys of growing up in a small Irish village, emphasizing the importance of friendship, family, and personal growth during this pivotal life stage.

🔥 Youth and Rebellion

Rebellion against adult authority and societal expectations is a central theme. Frankie's rebellious acts, like vandalizing the ballot box and disorderly parties, illustrate the desire for independence and to challenge norms. The film underscores youthful defiance and the pursuit of personal freedom amidst social constraints.

💔 Love and Heartbreak

Romantic relationships, complicated by class, religion, and adolescence, drive much of the emotional narrative. Frankie’s romantic confusion and confession reflect the tumult of first love and emotional vulnerability. The movie captures the innocence and intensity of teenage love.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:58

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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.

Bittersweet Teenage Summer Movies like The Last of the High Kings

Coming-of-age stories set during a pivotal summer, blending youthful hope with melancholic change.If you liked The Last of the High Kings, discover more movies about a pivotal teenage summer. These coming-of-age stories feature youthful rebellion, romantic confusion, and the bittersweet feeling of transition, all set against the nostalgic backdrop of a season that changes everything.

nostalgicyouthfulmelancholichopefulanxioussummertransitioncoming of age

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a linear, episodic structure over a single summer, charting a protagonist's journey through minor crises, romantic pursuits, and familial interactions. The central conflict is internal—the character's anxiety about the future—resolved through small, personal victories that lead to a hopeful, yet wistful, conclusion as the season ends.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the poignant emotional cocktail of a life-changing summer. They share a medium intensity, steady pacing, and a bittersweet tone that perfectly balances youthful exuberance with the melancholy of growing up.

Movies about Academic Anxiety and Family like The Last of the High Kings

Stories where youthful potential clashes with family expectations and the fear of failure.Find films similar to The Last of the High Kings that explore the stress of exams and future plans. These dramas and comedies focus on teenagers coping with academic pressure while dealing with eccentric, loving, or demanding families, resulting in stories that are both personally relatable and emotionally engaging.

anxioushopefulrebelliousfamilyyouthfulpressureself-discoverydramedy

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist facing a major academic milestone (exams, graduation, college applications) that threatens their self-worth and future. This central anxiety is exacerbated by, and intertwined with, their relationships with parents and siblings. The story explores how family support—or lack thereof—shapes the character's ability to confront their fears and define their own path.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core thematic focus on the intersection of academic anxiety and family life. They possess a medium emotional weight and straightforward narrative complexity, making the protagonist's worries deeply relatable. The tone often balances humor and drama, reflecting the real-life mix of these pressures.

Unlock the Full Story of The Last of the High Kings

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Last of the High Kings 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 The Last of the High Kings is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Last of the High Kings Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Last of the High Kings, 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.

The Last of the High Kings Summary

The Last of the High Kings Timeline

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

The Last of the High Kings Timeline

The Last of the High Kings Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Last of the High Kings 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.

The Last of the High Kings Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Last of the High Kings

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Last of the High Kings: 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 The Last of the High Kings

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