The Morning After

The Morning After

Year: 1986

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Sidney Lumet

ThrillerCrimeMysteryRomanceThrillers and murder mysteries

After a night of heavy drinking, failed actress Alex Sternbergen awakens hungover in an unfamiliar apartment with a dead body beside her. She can’t trust friends or her estranged husband Joaquin, so she turns to loner ex‑policeman Turner Kendall, the only ally who may help her reconstruct the night and uncover the real killer.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Morning After (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Morning After (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Thanksgiving 1986

The events take place during Thanksgiving in 1986 in Los Angeles, a period marked by the late-80s Hollywood milieu. The setting reflects a pre-digital era with a specific social scene and fashion. The calendar date grounds the narrative in a concrete moment of crisis and relief between family, fame, and addiction.

Location

Los Angeles, California, Bobby Korshack's loft, Downtown Los Angeles, parking garage

The story unfolds across LA's urban landscape, moving between a loft in Bobby Korshack's neighborhood, Turner Kendall's surroundings, and public spaces like a downtown parking garage. The city serves as a backdrop for glamour, vice, and danger, where fame and misfortune collide. These locations anchor a thriller that relies on intimate interiors and crowded urban spaces to heighten tension.

🏙️ Urban 🎭 City Life 🕰️ Late 1980s

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Main Characters – The Morning After (1986)

Meet the key characters of The Morning After (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alexandra 'Alex' Sternbergen (Jane Fonda)

A washed-up, alcoholic actress who performs under the stage name Viveca Van Loren. She wakes up next to a murdered photographer and struggles to recall the night, fearing disbelief due to a prior domestic-violence conviction. Her alliance with Turner reveals a vulnerable, stubborn survivor trying to navigate danger while maintaining some control.

🎭 Protagonist 🧠 Complex 🥃 Addicted

Turner Kendall (Jeff Bridges)

A former police officer who was discharged and is now a recovering alcoholic. He becomes Alex's uneasy ally, guiding her through a dangerous night and a fraught investigation. His own fragility and restraint contrast with the crisis around them.

🤝 Ally 🕵️ Investigator 🧭 Redeemed

Bobby Korshack (Geoffrey Scott)

A sleazy photographer whose murder triggers the central crisis and investigation. He has leveraged blackmail against others, making him a crucial catalyst for the night's unraveling. His death exposes a web of secrets and danger.

🕳️ Catalyst 🕵️ Victim 🔍 Blackmailer

Joaquin 'Jacky' Manero (Raúl Juliá)

Alex's husband and salon owner who becomes entangled in the murder plot. He attempts to shield himself by framing Alex for Bobby's death and even confronts her in extreme violence, before the truth unravels.

🎭 Husband 🗝️ Deceiver 🧨 Violent

Isabel Harding (Diane Salinger)

A society hostess involved with Jacky who murders Bobby to protect her secrets. She is then drawn into the fallout as the couple's lies begin to crumble, revealing the human costs of ambition and desperation.

💼 Socialite 🗝️ Secret 🗞️ Murder

Frankie (James 'Gypsy' Haake)

A drag queen friend who helps Alex with disguise and support, providing a window into a vibrant subculture on the margins of fame. Frankie offers practical aid and sharp, streetwise perspective.

🎭 Friend 🕺 Performer 🗨️ Supportive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Major Themes – The Morning After (1986)

Explore the central themes of The Morning After (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🥃 Addiction

Alcoholism drives many decisions, from avoidance of law enforcement to risky alliances. Alex's withdrawal and fear of judgment color her actions and limit her credibility. The theme explores how addiction shapes perception, loyalty, and the path to recovery.

🤝 Relationships

The bond between Alex and Turner is unstable, mixing care with dependence and danger. Trust is tested by hidden pasts, blackmail, and the threat of violence. Their evolving dynamic probes vulnerability and the possibility of genuine connection.

🕵️ Crime & Framing

A murder becomes a catalyst for deception, with framing, blackmail, and shifting alibis driving the plot. Each revelation redefines who is guilty and who can be trusted. The crime mechanism exposes how fear and self-preservation distort justice.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Unlock the Full Story of The Morning After

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

The Morning After Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Morning After, 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 Morning After Summary

The Morning After Timeline

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

The Morning After Timeline

More About The Morning After

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The Morning After (1986) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Morning After (1986) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Morning After (1986) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow