Arlington Road Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A paranoid professor makes the wrong enemy and accidentally blows up a building, proving his neighbor was right all along about the government.

🍿 Arlington Road: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Suburban Encounter

Michael Faraday, a professor specializing in terrorism, lives with his son Grant after the tragic death of his FBI agent wife. Their quiet suburban life is disrupted when Michael encounters Brady Lang, a wounded boy, and meets his parents, Oliver and Cheryl. The families quickly become friends, but Faraday begins to notice inconsistencies in the Langs’ stories.

Rising Suspicions

Faraday’s suspicions grow as he discovers that Oliver may be using a false identity and that blueprints in their home don’t match Oliver’s supposed job as an architect. His concerns are dismissed by his girlfriend Brooke and his late wife’s former partner, FBI agent Whit Carver, leading Faraday to investigate further on his own.

Unraveling the Truth

Faraday travels to St. Louis, uncovering a past bombing connected to the Langs and linking Brady to a previous bombing suspect. As he pieces together the puzzle, Brooke is killed, and Faraday realizes that his actions are playing into a larger, more sinister plot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges): A widowed history professor obsessed with terrorism who suspects his new neighbors of nefarious activities.
• Oliver Lang (Tim Robbins): The seemingly friendly neighbor who is secretly a calculating and dangerous domestic terrorist.
• Cheryl Lang (Joan Cusack): Oliver’s wife and accomplice, who helps facilitate his terrorist plots.
• Brooke Wolfe (Hope Davis): Michael’s girlfriend who initially dismisses his paranoia but becomes a victim of the Langs’ plot.
• Grant Faraday (Spencer Treat Clark): Michael’s son, who becomes a pawn in Oliver’s scheme to frame his father.
• FBI Agent Whit Carver (Robert Gossett): Leah’s former partner and FBI agent who dismisses Michael’s concerns, contributing to the tragic outcome.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Michael Faraday: “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you.” – Michael says this in his class, encapsulating the film’s central theme of paranoia and potential real threats.
• Oliver Lang: “Collateral damage. It’s what happens when good people go to war.” – Oliver says this during a conversation about Michael’s wife’s death, foreshadowing his own justifications for violence.
• Oliver Lang: “Where do we go from here?” – Lang utters this at the film’s end, as he and his wife drive away after the bombing, hinting at their continuing terrorist activities.
• Cheryl Lang: “Someplace nice. Someplace safe.” – Cheryl replies to Oliver, highlighting their detachment and calculated approach to their actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $31,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $24,756,177
• Worldwide Gross: $41,067,311

💥 Arlington Road Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘Arlington Road’ for the first time and being completely blown away by the ending. I wasn’t expecting that at all. Jeff Bridges does a fantastic job of portraying a man slowly losing his grip on reality, or so it seems. Tim Robbins is equally creepy as the seemingly perfect neighbor. The whole movie keeps you guessing, and that’s what I loved most. The film definitely makes you think about who you trust and how easily things can be manipulated.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in conspiracy-themed movies”
  • “Those who appreciate films with unexpected twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Terrorism”
  • “Death”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Arlington Road effectively builds suspense, with Bridges portraying a man on the edge believably. The ending is undeniably shocking and will leave audiences debating the film’s themes long after the credits roll. It’s a thinking person’s thriller that doesn’t offer easy answers.
• Variety: “Mark Pellington directs with a strong sense of atmosphere. Bridges and Robbins are both compelling, creating a believable dynamic of suspicion and unease. However, the film’s plot requires some suspension of disbelief, particularly in its reliance on contrivances.
• The Washington Post: “Arlington Road is a thought-provoking thriller that delves into the roots and consequences of terrorism. The film builds a sense of paranoia and unease that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The performances are superb, particularly Jeff Bridges as the increasingly suspicious professor.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected ending made the movie memorable and disturbing.: Viewers appreciate the suspenseful atmosphere and the exploration of paranoia.

Jeff Bridges delivers a powerful performance as a man consumed by suspicion.: Many agree that the acting, especially by Bridges and Robbins, elevates the film.

Overall Consensus: A suspenseful thriller with a shocking ending that sparked debate and discussion among viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s original script literally referenced the Oklahoma City bombing, but this was later changed to St. Louis to avoid being too directly associated with that tragedy.”
• “Mark Pellington, the director, makes a cameo appearance as one of Michael Faraday’s students.”

🖥️ How to Watch Arlington Road?

As of October 2024, “Arlington Road” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential availability on streaming services like Paramount+ or Hulu with premium add-ons. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be found through online retailers like Amazon and at major retail stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Arlington Road, you might like these similar films:

• The Parallax View (1974): Explores themes of paranoia, conspiracy, and the manipulation of individuals by powerful, shadowy organizations.
• Enemy of the State (1998): Deals with government surveillance, loss of privacy, and a man framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
• The Stepfather (1987): Features a seemingly normal family man who harbors a dark secret and a violent past, preying on unsuspecting families.
• Fracture (2007): An intelligent and calculated criminal exploits loopholes in the legal system, similar to how Oliver Lang manipulates events.

🛒 Arlington Road Related Products

• Arlington Road [Blu-ray]: Own the high-definition version of this suspenseful thriller. Experience the paranoia and shocking twists in stunning clarity with enhanced audio.
• Conspiracy Theory Board Game: A board game where players investigate conspiracies and try to uncover the truth. This is a strategy game for players who enjoy intrigue, deduction, and the thrill of uncovering secrets.
• Arlington Road Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster. Display your love for this suspenseful thriller with this iconic image.
• Arlington Road Script: Download the screenplay and analyze the film’s intricate plot twists and character development. Explore the writer’s vision and gain insights into the creative process.

🎧 Soundtrack

Arlington Road features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Neon Reprise” – performed by Lunatic Calm
• “Arlington Road Theme” – performed by Angelo Badalamenti

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Arlington Road Ending……

Curious about how the intense movie ‘Arlington Road’ ends? Check out this video to see the final scene and find out what happens to the characters. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a thrilling film.

Top 10 Most Unsettling Plot Twists In Non-Horror Movies

Did you know that ‘Arlington Road’ made it to WatchMojo’s list of most unsettling plot twists in non-horror movies? This video analyzes the film’s twist and explains why it’s so effective in shocking and surprising the audience.

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