The Simian Line

The Simian Line

Year: 2001

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Linda Yellen

Drama

On a Halloween night in Weehawken, New Jersey, eight couples gather for a neighborhood party, bringing their individual hopes and anxieties with them. The atmosphere shifts when a fortune teller makes a startling prediction, revealing that one couple faces an uncertain future by the year’s end, casting a shadow of suspense over the festive gathering.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Simian Line (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Simian Line (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

October to December

The events of the movie unfold from October through to the New Year, radiating the spirit of autumn and winter festivities. This transitional period not only symbolizes the shifts in relationships among the characters but also presents the looming question of their futures. The seasonal changes enhance the emotional tone of the story, highlighting themes of introspection and change.

Location

Katherine's House

The movie takes place mostly in Katherine's home, where she hosts an intimate dinner party. This setting creates a cozy atmosphere for discussions about love, relationships, and destiny. The house also serves as a backdrop for ghostly encounters, emphasizing its connection to the past.

🏠 Home 🎉 Celebration

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

Main Characters – The Simian Line (2001)

Meet the key characters of The Simian Line (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Katherine (Lynn Redgrave)

Katherine is a middle-aged divorcee who invites her friends for a dinner party. Torn between her desire for companionship and her insecurities about her younger boyfriend, Rick, she represents the complexities of facing one’s past while embracing potential futures. Her journey is one of self-discovery and questioning devotion.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Love 🤔 Introspection 🎭 Complexity

Rick (Harry Connick Jr.)

Rick is Katherine's charismatic younger boyfriend, grappling with societal expectations and personal desires. His interaction with the other couples and his supposed longing for youth lead to tensions during the dinner, reflecting the theme of commitment versus temptation. His character raises questions about the nature of love and loyalty.

💼 Ambition 💘 Relationship 🤷‍♂️ Uncertainty

Arnita (Tyne Daly)

Arnita is the quirky palm reader whose prediction sparks the evening's tension. Her eccentric demeanor adds humor, while her foresight forces the guests to confront their realities. She embodies the theme of fate versus free will.

🔮 Mystery 🎉 Humor 🚪 Insight

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

Major Themes – The Simian Line (2001)

Explore the central themes of The Simian Line (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Predictions

The theme of predictions is central to the plot, initiated by a palm reader's ominous forecast. This leads to doubt and confusion among the couples as they navigate their relationships. It serves as a catalyst for deep reflection on their love and commitment.

💔 Relationships

Various relationships are explored throughout the film, highlighting the complexities of love, commitment, and personal growth. As the couples face their fears and insecurities, they learn that their destinies might be intertwined in unexpected ways. The film poignantly portrays the fragility of connection.

👻 Ghosts

The presence of ghostly characters adds a whimsical yet poignant layer to the narrative. Edward and Mae's spirits represent unresolved issues and the lingering effects of past relationships. Their comedic yet touching interactions serve as a reminder of what it means to truly let go.

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 at 06:34

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Whimsical supernatural dramas like The Simian Line

Quietly magical stories exploring love, fate, and human connection.If you liked the blend of romance, fate, and gentle magical realism in The Simian Line, you'll enjoy these other movies where everyday lives are touched by the supernatural, featuring ensemble casts and a contemplative, quirky mood.

whimsicalromanticcontemplativequirkyghostlyuncertainmelancholicobservational

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve multiple interconnected characters whose paths are shaped by a supernatural element—be it a prophecy, a ghost, or a twist of fate. These narratives explore themes of love, destiny, and self-discovery in a grounded yet enchanted world where the uncanny serves to illuminate deeper truths about human connection.

Why These Movies?

These films share a unique tonal blend of whimsy and melancholy, a steady pacing that allows for character exploration, and a focus on how external, mystical forces impact internal emotional landscapes and relationships.

Movies about relationships tested by a prophecy like The Simian Line

A single prophecy casts doubt over the future of multiple couples.Find movies similar to The Simian Line where a fortune teller's prediction or a similar pivotal revelation creates suspense and forces couples to confront their anxieties about love, commitment, and the future in an ensemble drama structure.

uncertainromanticcontemplativeanxiousobservationaldoubtfulmelancholicintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a catalyst event—often a fortune, a hidden truth, or a shared secret—that disrupts the equilibrium of a group of couples. The story unfolds by observing how each relationship weathers the ensuing storm of doubt, distrust, and self-examination, leading to a mixed outcome for the characters involved.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared plot device of a disruptive prediction, their moderate complexity from interweaving storylines, and their consistent mood of romantic uncertainty mixed with contemplative observation of human behavior under pressure.

Unlock the Full Story of The Simian Line

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

The Simian Line Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Simian Line, 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 Simian Line Summary

The Simian Line Timeline

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

The Simian Line Timeline

The Simian Line Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Simian Line Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Simian Line

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Simian Line: 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 Simian Line

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