The Onion Field

Year: 1979

Runtime: 122 min

Language: English

Director: Harold Becker

DramaCrime

In 1963 Los Angeles, Greg Powell, a manipulative and dangerous criminal, unexpectedly joins forces with Jimmy Youngblood, a small-time thief. Their lives take a dark turn when they are stopped by police officers, Detectives Hettinger and Campbell. A horrific crime leads to Hettinger's harrowing survival and a relentless pursuit of justice. The two criminals employ deceptive strategies to avoid capture, while Detective Hettinger is increasingly tormented by guilt and a burning desire for revenge.

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Timeline & Setting – The Onion Field (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Onion Field (1979). 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 23:21

Main Characters – The Onion Field (1979)

Meet the key characters of The Onion Field (1979), 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 23:21

Major Themes – The Onion Field (1979)

Explore the central themes of The Onion Field (1979), 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 23:21

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Movies about psychological survival like The Onion Field

Intense portrayals of the long, devastating road to recovery after a traumatic event.Discover a selection of movies like The Onion Field that explore the heavy psychological toll of surviving trauma. These films depict the gritty, often painful reality of life after a catastrophic event, focusing on themes of PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the struggle for normalcy.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a two-act structure: a harrowing inciting event followed by an extended, sometimes lifelong, second act focused on the survivor's psychological deterioration. The conflict is internal, pitting the character against their own memories, fears, and guilt, often with a system that fails to provide adequate support.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their unflinching focus on the internal, emotional consequences of trauma. They share a heavy, somber mood, a character-driven pace that allows for deep psychological exploration, and a commitment to portraying the messy, non-linear reality of recovery.

Bleak true crime procedurals like The Onion Field

Gritty, fact-based crime stories where the legal process and psychological fallout are the real drama.If you liked the procedural realism and psychological grit of The Onion Field, explore these similar true crime stories. These films focus on the grinding details of criminal investigations and trials, often leading to somber or tragic conclusions that highlight the deep human cost of violence.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is linear and procedural, meticulously following real events from crime to arrest to trial. The drama arises from the psychological strain on the characters—the trauma of victims, the manipulation by perpetrators, and the often-frustrating journey through the legal system—rather than from action set pieces.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their commitment to a realistic, unglamorous portrayal of crime and justice. They share a dark, grim tone, a steady, methodical pacing, and a heavy emotional weight driven by the focus on authentic human suffering and the complexities of the legal aftermath.

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The Onion Field Summary

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The Onion Field Timeline

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The Onion Field Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Onion Field

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

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Discover movies like The Onion Field 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.