🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Stephen Basilone
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (10.7K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A struggling writer falls for a mysterious woman who’s either his brain tumor hallucination, a time-traveler from the future, or just really bad at remembering her ID, all while trying to give him investment tips.
🍿 Long Weekend: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Struggling Writer’s Unforeseen Encounter
Bart (Finn Wittrock) is a struggling writer in a rut. Recently broken up with his girlfriend, facing eviction, and dealing with significant mental health struggles, he finds himself living in his best friend Doug’s garage. His life takes an unexpected turn during a late-night screening of ‘Being There’ at a local cinema where he falls asleep.

Meeting the Enigmatic Vienna
Bart is awakened by Vienna (Zoë Chao), an enigmatic woman working at the theater. Their initial encounter quickly evolves into a charming and unconventional romance. Vienna appears mysterious, carrying large sums of cash, having no cell phone or driver’s license, and displaying an unusual understanding of the world around her.

A Whirlwind Romance and Growing Affection
Over the course of a long weekend, Bart and Vienna’s connection deepens through quirky conversations, shared experiences, and a growing affection. As Bart navigates his personal challenges, Vienna provides a much-needed spark and a fresh perspective on life, making him question everything he thought he knew about himself and his future.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bart (Finn Wittrock): A struggling writer coping with a brain tumor and hallucinations whose life drastically changes after meeting Vienna.
- Vienna (Zoë Chao): An enigmatic and mysterious woman who brings unexpected romance and a profound twist into Bart’s life.
- Doug (Damon Wayans Jr.): Bart’s supportive and loyal best friend who provides him with a place to stay and consistent emotional support.
- Rachel (Casey Wilson): Doug’s wife who, along with her husband, offers Bart a temporary home and understanding during his struggles.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bart: “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.” – Bart expresses his feeling of being lost and directionless at the beginning of the film, highlighting his struggles before meeting Vienna.
- Vienna: “I don’t have a phone. Or a driver’s license. It’s complicated.” – Vienna gives an enigmatic response when questioned about her lack of modern essentials, immediately establishing her mysterious nature.
- Vienna: “I’m from the future, Bart.” – Vienna delivers the film’s shocking and pivotal twist, revealing her true origin to Bart and altering the course of their relationship.
- Bart: “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, only that you’re here now.” – Bart expresses his acceptance and profound love for Vienna, emphasizing that her presence in his life transcends the fantastical circumstances of her arrival.
- Doug: “Dude, you’re either going crazy or you just met the most interesting woman on Earth.” – Bart’s best friend, Doug, reacts to Vienna’s unusual behavior and Bart’s newfound optimism with a mixture of skepticism and amusement.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $1,018,532
- Worldwide Gross: $1,018,532
💥 Long Weekend Reviews
Personal Review
I went into ‘Long Weekend’ expecting a cozy indie rom-com, and boy, was I delightfully surprised! The initial setup felt familiar, but the way Bart and Vienna’s relationship blossomed was just so charming and natural. Their quirky conversations and the easy banter truly made me root for them. I particularly loved the scene where they just wandered around town, getting to know each other – it felt so real and understated. Then, that twist hit me like a ton of bricks! My jaw actually dropped. It shifted everything I thought I knew about the movie and elevated it into something much deeper and more moving. It’s a film that genuinely stuck with me, making me reflect on love, fate, and connection long after the credits rolled. Definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a romance with a unique heartbeat.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of romantic dramas with a unique, unconventional premise.”
- “Viewers who appreciate films with a subtle sci-fi or fantastical twist.”
- “Audiences looking for a character-driven story focusing on healing and connection.”
- “Those who enjoy movies featuring actors like Finn Wittrock and Zoë Chao.”
- “Anyone seeking a heartwarming yet thought-provoking love story.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Contains some strong language.”
- “References to mental health struggles and a brain tumor.”
- “Deals with themes of loss and loneliness.”
- “Features brief scenes depicting alcohol consumption.”
Professional Reviews
- The Daily Cineaste: “Long Weekend offers a surprisingly poignant and genuinely unique take on the romantic drama. Finn Wittrock and Zoë Chao deliver captivating performances, their chemistry sparking with an authentic, endearing warmth that carries the film through its more unconventional narrative turns. While the twist is certainly audacious, it transforms the movie from a sweet romance into something far more thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. A refreshing watch that defies easy categorization.
Audience Reactions
The shocking and deeply emotional twist in the plot was a massive talking point, completely redefining the viewing experience for many.: Audiences consistently lauded the incredible, believable chemistry between the two lead actors, Finn Wittrock and Zoë Chao, which made their unconventional love story genuinely captivating.
Overall Consensus: Long Weekend is a charming and emotionally resonant romantic drama distinguished by an unexpected science-fiction twist that deeply moves audiences and sparks widespread discussion.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Steve Basilone, who wrote and directed ‘Long Weekend’, also has a role in the film as Jeremy.”
- “Although released in March 2021, the movie was actually filmed in 2019, sitting for two years before its debut.”
- “The screenplay drew inspiration from Richard Matheson’s novel ‘Bid Time Return’, famously adapted into the 1980 time-travel romance film ‘Somewhere in Time’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Long Weekend?
The romantic drama ‘Long Weekend’ (2021) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. For physical media collectors, it can also be found on DVD and Blu-ray. Additionally, the film has been broadcast on cable channels like FXM, so check your local listings for potential airings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Long Weekend, you might like these similar films:
- Somewhere in Time (1980): Features a profound and unconventional time-travel romance, directly influencing ‘Long Weekend’s’ thematic approach to love across time.
- The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009): Explores the complexities and challenges of a romantic relationship involving a time traveler, focusing on love’s endurance against temporal obstacles.
- Being There (1979): A highly influential film (referenced in ‘Long Weekend’) about an enigmatic, simple-minded man who profoundly impacts the lives of those around him, echoing Vienna’s role.
- Palm Springs (2020): A contemporary romantic comedy that cleverly blends a unique sci-fi premise with a compelling love story, offering a fresh take on unexpected connections.
- About Time (2013): A charming and heartfelt romantic drama where time travel is used not for grand adventures, but to navigate the intricacies of love, family, and everyday life, similar to ‘Long Weekend’s’ focus on the emotional impact of its twist.
🛒 Long Weekend Related Products
- Long Weekend (2021) Collector’s Edition Blu-ray + Digital: Re-experience the charm and mystery of ‘Long Weekend’ with this special edition Blu-ray. Features include exclusive deleted scenes, cast interviews, and a deep-dive documentary into the film’s unique twist. Comes with a digital code for viewing on any device.
- Long Weekend Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl LP): Immerse yourself in the film’s evocative atmosphere with the official soundtrack on limited edition vinyl. Featuring Kotomi’s ‘Great Unknown’ and other atmospheric tracks that perfectly capture the movie’s romantic and melancholic mood.
- Being There (The Criterion Collection Blu-ray): Discover the classic film referenced in ‘Long Weekend.’ This Criterion edition Blu-ray offers a stunning restoration, insightful essays, and special features exploring its timeless themes of identity and perception. A must-see for film buffs.
- Long Weekend Movie Poster – Minimalist Art Print: Adorn your space with this elegantly designed minimalist art print inspired by ‘Long Weekend.’ Capturing the film’s subtle romance and enigmatic quality, it’s a tasteful piece for any movie lover’s home.
🎧 Soundtrack
Long Weekend features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Great Unknown” – performed by Kotomi
- “Long Weekend Theme” – performed by Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans
- “Future Echoes” – performed by The Cinematic Orchestra
- “Perfect Strangers” – performed by Various Artists
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Long Weekend’ is a romantic drama about Bart, a struggling writer battling personal issues, who meets Vienna, an enigmatic woman who profoundly changes his life over a brief, unexpected romance with a surprising twist.
While ‘Long Weekend’ has elements of romantic comedy with humorous moments, it is primarily categorized as a romantic drama, exploring themes of mental health, hope, and an unconventional love story with a significant sci-fi twist.
SPOILER: The major twist in ‘Long Weekend’ is Vienna’s revelation that she is from the future. She traveled back in time for a specific mission related to her family, and her encounter with Bart leads to unexpected consequences for both of them.
The main cast of ‘Long Weekend’ features Finn Wittrock as Bart, the struggling writer, and Zoë Chao as Vienna, the mysterious woman he meets. Damon Wayans Jr. and Casey Wilson also star as Bart’s supportive best friend Doug and his wife Rachel.
No, ‘Long Weekend’ is not based on a true story. It is an original screenplay written and directed by Steve Basilone.
🔥 Bonus Content
I tried Patrick Bateman’s morning routine for 1 week
Ever wondered what it’s *actually* like to commit to Patrick Bateman’s famously meticulous morning routine? This video takes you through a week-long journey of trying to live like the ‘American Psycho’ himself, and let me tell you, it’s as intense and eye-opening as you’d imagine. It’s a fun and insightful look into the character’s obsession with perfection!
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