The Vanishing

Year: 2019

Runtime: 107 min

Language: Hebrew

Director: Kristoffer Nyholm

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

As dusk settles over Tel Aviv, eighteen-year-old Shlomi embarks on a desperate search for truth and redemption. Having escaped the conflict in Gaza, he seeks refuge with his girlfriend, but finds himself caught in a tense pursuit by the IDF. Over the course of a harrowing twenty-four hours, he confronts danger, grapples with his identity, and searches for hope and romance in a city on edge.

The Vanishing (2019) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Vanishing (2019) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the amber glow of a waning Tel Aviv sunset, Shlomi—an eighteen‑year‑old carrying the weight of a recent escape from Gaza—finds himself thrust into a city that pulses with both restless energy and silent unease. The streets buzz with everyday life, yet an undercurrent of tension runs through neighborhoods, hinting at the broader conflict that still lingers just beyond the horizon. As he seeks a place to call home, the city’s layered history and its present‑day fractures become a vivid backdrop for his quest for truth and redemption.

Against this charged atmosphere, Shlomi clings to a fragile sense of hope, anchored by the promise of love and the simple desire to belong. His relationship offers a fleeting oasis of normalcy, but the ever‑present specter of the Israeli Defense Forces casts long shadows, turning ordinary moments into whispered negotiations with danger. The film’s tone balances the raw immediacy of survival with lyrical introspection, inviting viewers to feel the city’s heartbeat through Shlomi’s eyes as he navigates streets that feel both foreign and familiar.

The mood is one of quiet suspense, painted with muted colors and punctuated by sudden flashes of intensity. Cinematic frames linger on the juxtaposition of bustling markets, deserted alleyways, and the soft glow of neon signs, all underscoring a narrative that is as much about inner turmoil as it is about external forces. Within this layered tableau, Shlomi stands at the crossroads of identity, yearning, and the pressing need to forge a future amid uncertainty, setting the stage for a story that explores resilience without revealing the path that lies ahead.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 02:08

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Claustrophobic Thrillers of Isolation and Paranoia like The Vanishing

Stories where confined spaces and mistrust shatter the human psyche.For viewers who liked the tense, oppressive atmosphere of The Vanishing, this thread gathers movies with similar settings and psychological themes. Discover films where isolated locations, such as lighthouses or remote outposts, become pressure cookers for paranoia and betrayal, leading to a dark and gripping viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves a small group of characters forced into close quarters in an isolated setting. An external pressure or internal secret acts as a catalyst, turning allies into suspects. The story unfolds as a psychological thriller, focusing on the erosion of sanity and the violent consequences of fear and greed.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped because they share a potent mix of a restrictive setting, a slow-building sense of dread, and a central theme of psychological unraveling. The primary similarity is the intense, claustrophobic vibe and the exploration of how isolation can corrupt even the strongest bonds.

Movies about Desperate Fugitive Journeys like The Vanishing

Characters on the run, grappling with their past while fighting for a future.If you were captivated by the harrowing 24-hour pursuit in The Vanishing, this collection features similar high-stakes journeys. Explore films about characters on the run, facing external threats while wrestling with heavy internal conflicts about identity, survival, and finding hope in a bleak world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is a linear, often straightforward race against time. The protagonist is pursued by a powerful force, navigating a dangerous urban or natural landscape over a short, intense period. The external conflict is intertwined with a heavy emotional journey, as the character confronts their past actions and searches for a fragile chance at redemption or a new identity.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their central narrative engine: a desperate, tense pursuit. They share a high-intensity, heavy emotional weight, focusing on a protagonist who is simultaneously fighting for survival and grappling with profound personal questions, resulting in a gripping and emotionally draining experience.

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The Vanishing Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Vanishing

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More About The Vanishing

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Discover movies like The Vanishing 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.