The Projectionist

The Projectionist

Year: 2019

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Echo Score: 68
Documentary

Filmmaker Abel Ferrara explores the evolving landscape of New York City’s cinemas through the perspective of a dedicated cinema owner. The documentary captures his experiences and observations as the city’s theatrical scene undergoes significant transformations, offering a unique look at a changing urban environment and the passion of those who preserve the art of film exhibition.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Projectionist yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Projectionist (2019)

Trace every key event in The Projectionist (2019) 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

Projection booth opening credits

Chuck McCann is shown operating the projection booth as The Projectionist opening credits roll, establishing the film theater setting. The Midtown Theater in Midtown Manhattan is introduced, along with the dour atmosphere of the workplace and the domineering Renaldi.

beginning of day Midtown Theater projection booth
2

Renaldi's harassment and Chuck's mood

Renaldi berates Chuck and other employees, creating a tense, hostile energy in the theater. Chuck's mood sours as he endures the boss's belittling, setting up the underlying frustration that drives his fantasies.

day Midtown Theater
3

Chuck escapes into Captain Flash

Spending long hours in the booth, Chuck imagines himself as the superhero Captain Flash, using his mind to escape the banality of his job. The fantasy hints at a longing for romance and adventure beyond the theater walls.

afternoon Projection booth
4

Harry's complaint and The Girl in Chuck's thoughts

Harry enters the booth to complain, and Chuck tells him about the beautiful woman he saw earlier, nicknamed The Girl. The moment underscores Chuck's fixation on romance and the divide between his dull reality and desired fantasy.

afternoon Projection booth
5

The Terrible World of Tomorrow trailer

Chuck rewinds a reel while a radio broadcast previews a bleak future, and an on-screen trailer touts a world of dehumanization, war, and apocalypse. The ominous material foreshadows the dark tone that fuels Chuck's imagination.

late afternoon Projection booth
6

Cinema idols come to life in homage

After work, he studies star photographs and mimics iconic lines from Bogart, Greenstreet, Beery, Wayne, Stewart, and Gable. He also re-creates Laurel and Hardy’s voices, saying 'Say goodnight, Stanley' and 'Goodnight, Stanley', then switches to Bogart and ends with 'So long, Fred C. Dobbs'.

end of work day Projection booth wall
7

Captain Flash vs The Bat enters the fantasy

The fantasy casts Renaldi as the villainous The Bat who intends to seize the aged European scientist's X-ray device, while the scientist is depicted as the eccentric old man running the candy concession. Captain Flash fights to thwart this world-threatening plot within Chuck's imagination.

fantasy sequence Chuck's fantasy world
8

The Bat abducts the scientist's daughter; karate heroine arises

In the dream-world, The Bat abducts the scientist's beautiful daughter, only to discover she is skilled in karate and capable of holding her own. Captain Flash teams with the daughter to resist The Bat's plan and save the day.

fantasy sequence Fantasy sequence
9

Duel ends in victory

The karate-trained daughter and Captain Flash defeat The Bat, thwarting his global ambitions and restoring a momentary sense of order within the fantasy. The sequence emphasizes triumph and the thrill of escapist cinema.

fantasy sequence Fantasy sequence
10

Busby Berkeley-style musical finale

Following the victory, Captain Flash and the daughter dance into a Busby Berkeley-style musical number, blending fantasy with exuberant cinema spectacle. The sequence underscores Chuck's longing for romance and a more glorious cinematic world.

fantasy sequence Fantasy sequence
11

Reality intrudes as fantasy ends

The line between daydream and reality grows thinner as the dance ends and Chuck returns to the projection booth. He remains caught between dull routine and the vibrant world his imagination offers, hinting at persistent loneliness.

end of fantasy sequence Projection booth
12

Closing mood: imagination as solace

The day closes with a wistful mood as Chuck clings to cinema as his solace against a routine life. The final image suggests imagination can be a powerful escape for someone craving romance, adventure, and meaning.

closing minutes Midtown Theater projection booth

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:42

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The Projectionist Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Projectionist

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Projectionist

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More About The Projectionist

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