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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Idol (1966)

Trace every key event in The Idol (1966) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Marco, Timothy, and Sarah are introduced with tense family dynamics

Marco, a young art student, becomes friendly with Timothy and Sarah. Timothy is dominated by his wealthy mother Carol, who is divorcing and planning to remarry. An undercurrent of Oedipal tension sets the tone as Timothy longs for independence.

2

Timothy seeks independence but is kept in check by Carol

Carol's controlling influence over Timothy strains their relationship as she resists his desire to break away. The possibility of true independence is overshadowed by Carol's demands. The tension hints at an impending conflict that will pull the trio in different directions.

3

Marco finds a studio; Timothy funds the move and art switch

Marco secures a studio apartment as a sign of his growing independence and ambition. Timothy pays the first two months' rent, supporting a plan to move in with his friend and switch from medicine to art. The arrangement signals a shift in their lives and in Marco's standing within the circle.

4

Carol blocks the move; Sarah moves in instead

Carol blocks the move to the studio, curbing Timothy's attempt at autonomy. In response, Sarah moves in instead, entangling the trio still further. The household dynamics become more tense and complicated.

5

Cottage party: Marco and Sarah kiss; Carol ejects Marco

At Carol's weekend cottage, Carol discovers Marco and Sarah kissing in Timothy's room and orders Marco to leave the house. The confrontation exposes the fragility of the relationships and Carol's protective aggression. Timothy observes the disruption with mounting unease.

Carol's weekend cottage
6

Pub brawl; Marco defends Timothy and returns him home

Timothy is pulled into a pub brawl that underscores the volatility around him. Marco intervenes to defend Timothy and brings him home unconscious. Carol responds with warmth toward Marco, moved by his loyalty.

a pub
7

Marco and Carol share a bar dance; attraction grows

Later at a bar, Marco and Carol dance, revealing the repressed attraction Carol feels toward him. Timothy watches uneasily, sensing the dangerous chemistry between them. The dynamic hints at an impending moral collapse.

a bar
8

New Year's Eve setup: Marco seduces Carol before the boat party

On New Year's Eve, Marco arrives at Carol's house to accompany Timothy to a party, only to find Timothy has already left. He seduces Carol and then scorns her in retaliation for the cottage humiliation. He heads to the boat party drunk, accompanied by a streetwalker, and hints to Sarah that he has conquered Carol.

New Year's Eve Carol's house; boat party
9

On the boat: Timothy overhears the boast and tamps into confrontation

On the boat, Timothy overhears Marco boasting about conquering Carol. He rushes to the deck to confront him, and Marco staggers after him in a woozy panic. The tension between them nears a breaking point.

New Year's Eve on deck of boat
10

Tragedy on the water: Marco drowns after confrontation

Marco tumbles into the water and drowns after the confrontation on the deck. Timothy's frantic attempt to save him is in vain, and the tragedy unfolds before bystanders. The incident appears to be driven by the heated provocation and alcohol-fueled chaos.

New Year's Eve on deck of boat
11

Police inquiry and Timothy's silence

Police question the circumstances of Marco's death, and Timothy refuses to reveal the trigger of the confrontation. Without Timothy's full cooperation, the authorities conclude that Marco drowned at Timothy's instigation. The truth remains buried under fear and guilt.

police station
12

Carol consoles Timothy as he is led away

Carol arrives during the questioning and reaches out to Timothy, trying to offer support. He coldly turns away as he is led away by the police, severing any memory of warmth between them. The night ends with Timothy isolated and the family bonds broken.

police station vicinity

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:11

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