The Long Kiss Goodnight

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Year: 1996

Runtime: 120 min

Language: English

Director: Renny Harlin

Budget: $65M

ActionDramaMysteryThrillerCrime

Samantha Caine lives a quiet life as a schoolteacher, but her peaceful existence is shattered when fragmented memories of a dangerous past begin to surface. As she recalls skills she can’t explain, she reluctantly joins forces with detective Mitch Hennessey. Together, they investigate her forgotten identity and uncover a complex plot involving government conspiracies, deception, and a series of deadly events.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

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

Time period

Christmas season, Eight years ago

The film unfolds during the Christmas season, a time traditionally associated with family, festivity, and reflection. The contrast between Samantha's current joyful life and her forgotten, tumultuous past sets a tone of mystery and intrigue that pervades throughout the narrative.

Location

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Niagara Falls

The movie predominantly takes place in suburban Pennsylvania, showcasing a picturesque holiday season where family and community play a central role. New Jersey serves as a reminder of Samantha's mysterious past, where she was found washed up on a beach. Niagara Falls becomes crucial in the climax, known for its stunning natural beauty, but is also a site of imminent danger due to a terrorist plot.

🏙️ Cityscape 🏞️ Nature 🌊 Waterfall

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:56

Main Characters – The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

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

Samantha Caine / Charly Baltimore (Geena Davis)

Samantha Caine starts as a seemingly ordinary schoolteacher living an idyllic life, but her transformation into the formidable Charly Baltimore reveals a woman shaped by her dramatic past. Her journey from a lost woman to a skilled assassin showcases her resilience and adaptability, highlighting her maternal instincts. Ultimately, she seeks a balance between her nurturing side and her lethal capabilities.

🦸‍♀️ Hero 🧠 Intelligent ❤️ Loving Mother

Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson)

Mitch Henessey, the laid-back private investigator, brings humor and resourcefulness to the story. Though initially underestimated, his loyalty and determination support Samantha's journey into uncovering her past. His character evolves as he becomes a critical ally, showcasing his adaptability and grit when faced with danger.

👔 Investigator 🧭 Resourceful 🤔 Witty

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:56

Major Themes – The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

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

🔍 Identity

The theme of identity is central to the film as Samantha grapples with her lost memories and true self. As she uncovers her past, the evolution from the tender schoolteacher to the lethal CIA assassin emphasizes the complexities of identity—who we are versus who we were. This duality challenges her motivations and desires as she seeks peace while battling her maternal instincts.

💔 Motherhood

Motherhood plays a significant role in Samantha's journey, contrasting her nurturing persona as a schoolteacher with her fierce abilities as Charly. The kidnapping of her daughter, Caitlin, highlights the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, driving the character to rediscover her strength in the face of danger. The film ultimately explores the balance between a mother's love and her past life of violence.

🕵️‍♀️ Betrayal

Betrayal surfaces in various forms—from Samantha’s realization of her past connections to the CIA's manipulated truths. Friendships are tested, and adversaries reveal hidden motivations that complicate relationships. This theme emphasizes how betrayal can stem from both personal and professional spheres, influencing every character's choices and the film's outcome.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:56

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Movies with amnesiac assassins like The Long Kiss Goodnight

When a quiet life is shattered by memories of a dangerous former self.If you enjoyed the high-stakes mystery of Samantha Caine's identity crisis, you'll like these movies. This list features similar action thrillers where characters discover a hidden, lethal past, forcing them into a dangerous race against time. Find more films like The Long Kiss Goodnight with amnesia, covert operations, and explosive rediscovery.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character with amnesia as fragments of a violent past resurface, often triggered by an external threat. This forces them to reluctantly employ forgotten skills while investigating their own identity, uncovering a larger conspiracy. The story is a blend of personal mystery and external action, culminating in the integration or confrontation of their dual selves.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share the core premise of a protagonist grappling with a forgotten, dangerous identity. They combine the tension of a personal mystery with the external pressure of high-stakes action, creating a unique blend of psychological unease and physical danger centered on the theme of self-discovery.

Action thrillers with protective parents like The Long Kiss Goodnight

Where the fight for survival is driven by the need to protect a child.For viewers who liked the emotional core of The Long Kiss Goodnight, this list features movies where high-octane action is fueled by a parent's desperate need to protect their child. Discover similar films that combine thrilling chases and fights with the heavy emotional weight of family and sacrifice, just like Samantha Caine's journey.

tenseurgentsuspensefulemotionalaction-packedhigh-stakesfamilial

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often rediscovering or utilizing extreme skills, who is thrust into a dangerous situation where their primary goal shifts from personal survival or victory to the absolute protection of their child. The action sequences are interwoven with moments of vulnerability and fierce determination, making the conflict intensely personal.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared emotional engine: the fusion of high-intensity action with the powerful theme of parental protection. This combination creates a uniquely compelling vibe where the physical stakes are matched by deep emotional investment, resulting in a tense, urgent, and heavily impactful viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Long Kiss Goodnight

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

The Long Kiss Goodnight Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Long Kiss Goodnight, 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 Long Kiss Goodnight Summary

The Long Kiss Goodnight Timeline

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

The Long Kiss Goodnight Timeline

The Long Kiss Goodnight Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Long Kiss Goodnight Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Long Kiss Goodnight

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