The Idol

The Idol

Year: 1966

Runtime: 109 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Petrie

Drama

The film follows a rebellious student who, despite the appearance of affection, embarks on a forbidden affair with his best friend's mother. Neither a conventional love story nor a tale of worship, the tryst spirals into tragic, irreversible consequences that shatter relationships and reveal the darkness beneath desire.

The Idol (1966) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Idol (1966) 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 a sun‑drenched university town where artistic ambition collides with the rigor of medical study, the world of the film feels simultaneously vibrant and claustrophobic. The campus buzzes with late‑night critiques and clinical rounds, while the surrounding suburbs hide a quiet opulence that exerts its own pull on the characters. A muted palette of sleek modernism and lingering nostalgia sets the tone, hinting that beneath the polished surfaces lie tangled desires and unspoken resentments.

Marco arrives as a confident, somewhat arrogant art student whose talent is matched only by his restless need to prove himself. He quickly becomes close friends with Timothy, a disciplined medical student wrestling with the expectations of his family, and Sarah, Timothy’s girlfriend, who possesses her own quiet yearning for something beyond the predictable. The trio’s dynamic is a study in contrasts: ambition versus duty, freedom versus control, and the thin line each walks between loyalty and self‑assertion.

Carol, Timothy’s striking and affluent mother, dominates the household with a mix of charisma and manipulation. Recently separated and poised to remarry, she represents both a source of security and an unsettling, almost Oedipal presence in her son’s life. As the characters navigate parties, shared apartments, and intimate conversations, an undercurrent of tension builds around the boundaries they dare not cross. The atmosphere thickens with unvoiced longing, and the proximity of these relationships creates a fragile equilibrium that feels ready to tip at any moment.

The film balances sultry, introspective moments with a sharply observed social critique, inviting the audience to watch how youthful rebellion, parental influence, and hidden cravings intertwine. The stage is set for a series of choices that could redefine friendships, love, and personal identity, all while the quiet darkness beneath desire begins to surface.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:27

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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.

Forbidden affair tragedies like The Idol

Stories where illicit passions lead to irreversible ruin and shattered relationships.If you liked the destructive affair in The Idol, explore more movies about taboo relationships and illicit passions that lead to tragic consequences. These films share a heavy emotional weight and a bleak outlook, focusing on the irreversible damage caused by crossing forbidden lines.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a central, forbidden relationship—often with a significant power imbalance or age gap—that begins with intensity but quickly reveals its corrosive nature. The plot builds steadily towards an inevitable climax of betrayal, emotional destruction, or death, offering no redemption.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the catastrophic fallout of crossing moral and social boundaries. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a commitment to tragic, bleak endings that underscore the futility and danger of the central desire.

Oppressive psychological dramas like The Idol

Character-driven dramas steeped in a suffocating atmosphere of psychological tension.Fans of The Idol's claustrophobic tension will appreciate these similar psychological melodramas. These movies use a steady pace to build an anxious, oppressive atmosphere, focusing on complex character dynamics and the heavy emotional fallout of manipulation and desire.

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Narrative Summary

These stories are typically linear and character-focused, often centered on a psychologically complex triangle. The narrative relies on slow-burning tension, manipulation, and repressed emotions that simmer beneath the surface, eventually boiling over into a devastating, character-shattering conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their ability to create a palpable sense of psychological claustrophobia and dread. They share a melancholic and anxious mood, a steady, deliberate pacing that builds unease, and a high intensity derived from emotional manipulation rather than physical violence.

Unlock the Full Story of The Idol

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

The Idol Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Idol, 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 Idol Summary

The Idol Timeline

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The Idol Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Idol

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Idol

More About The Idol

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