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In 1980s England, a Pakistani teenager named Javed grapples with cultural identity and the challenges of racial tensions and economic hardship. Discovering the music of Bruce Springsteen, Javed finds inspiration and a sense of belonging through the artist's powerful lyrics. He connects deeply with Springsteen’s anthems, which reflect his own working-class experiences. As Javed embraces music to express himself, he must navigate the expectations of his traditional father and strive for independence and self-discovery.

In 1980s England, a Pakistani teenager named Javed grapples with cultural identity and the challenges of racial tensions and economic hardship. Discovering the music of Bruce Springsteen, Javed finds inspiration and a sense of belonging through the artist's powerful lyrics. He connects deeply with Springsteen’s anthems, which reflect his own working-class experiences. As Javed embraces music to express himself, he must navigate the expectations of his traditional father and strive for independence and self-discovery.

Does Blinded by the Light have end credit scenes?

No!

Blinded by the Light does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Blinded by the Light

Explore the complete cast of Blinded by the Light, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Blinded by the Light

See how Blinded by the Light is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Blinded by the Light stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

71

Metascore

6.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

89%

TOMATOMETER

review

91%

User Score

IMDb

6.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

69

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.3

From 129 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.22/5

From 9 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Blinded by the Light Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Blinded by the Light with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Songs of Identity: Blinded by the Light Quiz: Test your knowledge on the themes, characters, and memorable moments of 'Blinded by the Light' (2019).

Who is the main character in 'Blinded by the Light'?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Blinded by the Light

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Read the complete plot summary of Blinded by the Light, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the year 1980, a young boy named Javed Khan (Ronak Singh Chadha Berges) spends time with his best friend Matt (Billy Barratt), who has just received a shiny new bike. Javed takes refuge in his journal, documenting the hardships faced by his family due to the Russian occupation of Pakistan, which led them to migrate to Britain. Both boys nurture dreams of visiting London together as they grow older and enjoy their bike rides.

Fast forward seven years, Javed, now portrayed by Viveik Kalra (Viveik Kalra), finds himself living in Luton with his parents Malik (Kulvinder Ghir) and Noor (Meera Ganatra), as well as his sisters Yasmeen (Tara Divina) and Shazia (Nikita Mehta). Javed is consumed by his passion for contemporary rock music, which his father Malik vehemently disapproves of. One day, he bikes over to see Matt, who is back from a trip to Ibiza with his girlfriend Emma (Kit Reeve). After a failed attempt to navigate through awkward moments with his father, Javed returns home, yearning for a break from Luton, to earn a fortune, and to experience his first kiss.

As an aspiring musician, Javed pens lyrics for Matt’s band and crafts poems of his own, but his work is criticized by Matt for its gloomy nature. He aspires to attend Manchester University to escape his current life. During his first day at a new school, Malik’s loud voice ordering Javed to stay clear of girls embarrasses him in front of his classmates. Feeling like an outsider, Javed realizes he is only one of two Pakistani students in attendance. He meets Roops (Aaron Phagura), the other Pakistani student, and finds solace in his music taste, particularly the works of Bruce Springsteen.

One lunch hour, Javed is isolated from his peers until Roops approaches him, offering two cassettes of Springsteen, describing him as “the key to all that is true in this shitty world.” On his way home, Javed is confronted by a racist punk, who rudely spits on him and vandalizes the town. This incident is compounded by the ridicule his family faces from a group of boys, as they mockingly peep through their mail slot, calling them names. Eager to write for the school paper, Javed faces rejection, while the news of his father’s job loss adds to the family’s mounting frustrations.

With the dual weight of racism and family pressure, Javed confides in Shazia that they were “born in the wrong time, place, and family.” In a moment of defeat, he even tosses his poems away. However, the arrival of Springsteen’s music reignites his spirit. After hearing “Dancing in the Dark,” he realizes the transformative power of the lyrics which resonate within him. As he continues to explore more of Bruce’s work, Javed feels inspired to write again, bringing his poems to Ms. Clay (Hayley Atwell) for feedback.

Despite his father Malik’s disapproval, Javed’s talent begins to shine, and he earns respect from neighbor Mr. Evans (David Hayman), who compliments one of Javed’s poems that speaks against the oppressive National Front. However, the tension grows at home as Malik struggles with financial responsibilities and the impending marriage of Yasmeen.

At a community flea market, Javed seizes a job opportunity with Matt’s father (Rob Brydon), but not without tension over his friendship with Matt. Javed’s budding romance with Eliza evolves through dates filled with ups and downs, culminating in them sharing a passionate kiss after a significant concert experience. Despite cultural clashes with her parents, Javed tries to navigate his relationship while balancing family expectations and personal aspirations.

When Javed garners attention for his winning poetry, he realizes the power his words hold and the community support he has. As he earns opportunities through his writing, challenges at home force him to confront his aspirations and demands from his family. The day of Yasmeen’s wedding becomes pivotal, sparking conflicts between Javed and Malik as Bruce Springsteen’s concert tickets become a symbol of Javed’s dreams clashing with family obligations.

Ultimately, Javed embarks on a journey to America, inspired by the music that has defined his struggles. Upon his return to England, a heartfelt reading allows Javed to reconcile with his family, bridging the gap between his dreams and parental expectations. The narrative closes with Javed preparing for university, reflecting on his journey as he drives away with Malik, together listening to Springsteen’s iconic tracks, symbolizing hope and unity.

In a touching epilogue, we learn of the real Javed Khan, who has attended over 150 Bruce Springsteen concerts, reflecting a life deeply intertwined with the music that provided the voice of his struggles and aspirations.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Blinded by the Light

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Blinded by the Light. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Cars Featured in Blinded by the Light

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Explore all cars featured in Blinded by the Light, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Austin

1985

Metro

Bedford

1984

CF2

Bedford

1984

CF2 250 P

BMW

1989

3 Touring E30

Chevrolet

1957

Bel Air

Citroën

1975

GS

Datsun

1978

160J Coupé SSS Violet

Ford

1980

Escort MkII

Ford

1982

Escort MkIII

Ford

1984

Escort MkIII

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


aspiring writer1980sbritish asianfather son relationshipfriendshipfriendship between boystitle based on songteenagersemi autobiographicaltitle directed by femaleethnic discriminationfour word titlewalkmannational frontdomineering fathercoming of agedaytimer partydiaryneighborunemploymentsikhbirthdaydancingprincipalbrother sister relationshipxenophobiareference to bruce springsteenyear 1987based on bookracismgraffiticultural differenceinterracial friendshipinterracial romanceinspirationarranged marriageschool radiowedding processionpolitical marchautobiographicalrubik's cubechopper bicyclelyrics appear on screenbegins with quotationa levelscassette tapevhs tapefirst kisspicket linehighway

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