Affliction 1998

Drama

Mystery

Thriller

Rank

#26,601

Box Office

$6.3M

Budget

$6M

Runtime

114 min

Language

English

Directed by

Paul Schrader

Made by

Lions Gate Films

Where to Watch Affliction

See current US streaming, rental, and purchase options for Affliction (1998) via JustWatch.

Test your knowledge of Affliction with our quiz!

Affliction Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Affliction (1998). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Rolfe Whitehouse begins the film by recounting Wade Whitehouse, Nick Nolte, a small-town policeman in New Hampshire, and his alleged “strange criminal behavior” along with his disappearance. On Halloween night, Wade meets his daughter Jill, but he is late and the evening is shadowed by disharmony. Jill calls her mother, Wade’s ex-wife, to come and pick her up. When she arrives, Wade shoves her husband against their car and watches them drive away with Jill. Wade vows to hire a lawyer to gain custody of his daughter.

The next day, Wade rushes to the scene of a crime. Jack Hewitt, a local hunting guide, claims that Evan Twombley, with whom he was hunting, accidentally shot and killed himself. The police side with Jack, but Wade grows suspicious, convinced that Twombley was killed by Jack. When he learns that Twombley was scheduled to testify in a lawsuit, his suspicion slowly hardens into conviction.

A while later, Wade and his girlfriend Margie Fogg, Sissy Spacek, arrive at the house of Wade’s alcoholic father, Glen Whitehouse, whose abusive treatment of Wade and Rolfe as children is revealed in flashbacks throughout the film. Wade finds his mother lying dead in her bed from hypothermia. Glen reacts to her death with little surprise, and later gets drunk at her wake and gets into a fight with Wade.

Rolfe, who has come home for the funeral, initially suggests Wade’s murder theory could be correct, but later renounces himself from the presumption. Nonetheless, Wade becomes obsessed with the conviction. When Wade learns that town Selectman Gordon Lariviere is buying up property all over town with help from a wealthy land developer named Mel Gordon, also Twombley’s son-in-law, he makes solving these incidents his personal mission. Suffering from a painful toothache and becoming increasingly socially detached, he behaves more and more unpredictably. He follows Jack, convinced that Jack is running away from something and is involved in a conspiracy. After a car chase, a nervous Jack finally pulls over, threatens Wade with a rifle, shoots out his tires, and drives off.

Finally, Wade is fired for harassing Jack and trashing Lariviere’s office. He collects Jill from her mother’s house, where his ex-wife furiously castigates him over his plans to sue for full custody. At a local restaurant, after being verbally abused, he attacks the bartender in front of his daughter. Then Wade takes Jill home to find Margie leaving him. Wade grabs Margie and begs her to stay, but Jill rushes up and tries to stop the fight. In response, Wade angrily pushes Jill, giving her a bloody nose, forcing both her and Margie to drive off.

Glen, Wade’s father, congratulates him for finally acting as a “real man.” The latent aggression between the men culminates in another fight in which Wade hits his father with the butt of a rifle, accidentally killing him. Wade burns the corpse in the barn, sits down at the kitchen table and starts drinking.

Rolfe’s narration reveals that Wade eventually murdered Jack and left town (possibly to Canada, where Jack’s truck was found three days later), never to return. Rolfe relates that the town later became part of a huge ski resort partly organized by Gordon Lariviere, but he had nothing to do with either Jack or Twombley. Rolfe concludes that someday a vagrant resembling Wade might be found frozen to death, and that will be the end of the story.

Affliction Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Affliction (1998) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Opening narration sets Wade's mystery

Rolfe Whitehouse opens the film by narrating the story of his brother Wade's 'strange criminal behavior' and his eventual disappearance. The narration frames Wade as driven by a dangerous obsession that will unfold in a small New Hampshire town. The stage is set for a personal investigation that will define the rest of the story.

Opening

Halloween night and family conflict

On Halloween, Wade's late arrival to meet his daughter Jill disrupts the evening. Jill calls her mother to pick her up, and Wade's confrontation with her husband ends with him shoving him against a car. He then vows to hire a lawyer to win custody.

Halloween night Wade's home / nearby

Wade investigates the Twombley death

The next day Wade rushes to the crime scene where Jack Hewitt claims Evan Twombley accidentally shot and killed himself. The police accept Jack's version, but Wade grows suspicious that Jack is covering up a murder. His investigation marks the start of a descent into obsession.

Next day Local hunting grounds / crime scene

Twombley's testimony and Wade's conviction deepen

Wade learns that Twombley was scheduled to testify in a lawsuit, which deepens his conviction that Jack is involved in a conspiracy. The idea of foul play becomes central to his quest, shifting from a custody dispute to a broader sense of injustice. His obsession grows as he pieces together fragments of town life into a single narrative.

Soon after Police / town

Funeral day reveals family darkness

Wade and his girlfriend Margie Fogg go to his alcoholic father Glen's house for the funeral of Wade's mother. Wade discovers her body, hypothermia causing her death, and Glen reacts with little surprise. The mood of the funeral is overshadowed by fear and old family resentments.

Funeral day Glen Whitehouse's house; mother's grave

Rolfe's doubt and Wade's growing fixation

Rolfe returns home for the funeral and initially suspects Wade's theory may be correct, but he later withdraws from the notion. Wade's obsession grows as his mental state deteriorates, and his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Flashbacks reveal the abusive dynamics between Wade and his father.

After funeral Wade's family home

Town power plays and Wade's new mission

Wade learns about Gordon Lariviere's buy-up of local property with help from Mel Gordon, Twombley's son-in-law. The schemes feed Wade's resolve to 'solve' the incidents and connect them to a larger conspiracy. His mission broadens from a custody case to a town-wide mystery.

Following obsession Town offices / local properties

Wade tailing Jack escalates

Suffering from a painful toothache and social withdrawal, Wade follows Jack Hewitt, convinced he is hiding something. A tense car chase ensues as Jack pulls over, threatens Wade with a rifle, shoots out his tires, and drives away. Wade's fixation intensifies as he pursues the perceived conspiracy.

During pursuit Town roads

Firing and family tensions mount

Wade is fired for harassing Jack and trashing Lariviere's office, marking a professional collapse. He collects Jill from her mother's house, where his ex-wife rebukes his custody plans in front of their daughter. The tension explodes as Wade's instability becomes public knowledge.

Shortly after firing Workplace; mother's house

Restaurant outburst and public display

At a local restaurant, Wade is verbally abused by patrons and then attacks a bartender in front of Jill. The incident exposes Wade's unraveling to the public and deepens the rift with his daughter. The scene marks a dramatic public breakdown.

Same day Local restaurant

Margie leaves; dangerous confrontation erupts

Wade returns home to find Margie leaving him, while Jill watches in shock. He grabs Margie and begs her to stay, but Jill rushes forward to intervene. Wade's escalating aggression culminates in a violent domestic moment that fractures the family.

Shortly after restaurant incident Wade's home

Fatal fight with Glen and the barn fire

Glen taunts Wade for finally acting as a 'real man,' and the latent aggression erupts in a brutal fight. Wade hits his father with the butt of a rifle, unintentionally killing him. He then burns the corpse in the barn and sits at the kitchen table to drink away the night.

Immediately after Margie confrontation Glen's barn

Epilogue: Wade's possible escape and the town's fate

Rolfe reveals that Wade likely murdered Jack and left town, never to return. He notes the town later becomes part of a huge ski resort, developed with money from Gordon Lariviere, though he claims to have had nothing to do with Jack or Twombley. Rolfe imagines that someday a vagrant resembling Wade might be found frozen to death, bringing the story to a quiet, haunting close.

After events Town; possibly Canada

Affliction Characters

Explore all characters from Affliction (1998). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte)

A volatile, driven small-town policeman whose obsession with uncovering a supposed conspiracy consumes him. His increasing instability strains every relationship, especially with his daughter Jill and his partner Margie. His aggression and sense of entitlement push him toward dangerous decisions and brutal outbursts.

🔥 Obsession 🗡️ Violence 🧭 Paranoia

Margie Fogg (Sissy Spacek)

Wade's girlfriend who offers moments of stability but remains drawn into his turbulent world. Her loyalty and patience are tested as Wade's behavior becomes more erratic. She embodies a conflicted presence—caring yet ultimately caught in Wade's unraveling.

💞 Toxic relationship 🧭 Loyal yet strained 🎭 Drama

Jill Whitehouse

Wade's daughter, a focal point of family strife who bears witness to her father's escalating volatility. Her attempts to intervene highlight her resilience and fear in a volatile household. She embodies the collateral impact of Wade's violence on innocent bystanders.

👩‍👧 Family vulnerability 💔 Fear and resilience 🎭 Drama

Glen Whitehouse

Wade and Rolfe's alcoholic father, whose abusive treatment in their childhood leaves a lasting trauma. His presence is felt through brutal memories and a volatile dynamic with his sons. He represents the generational cycle of violence within the family.

💢 Abusive father 🥃 Alcoholism 🕰️ Trauma

Rolfe Whitehouse

Wade's brother and the film's narrator, who provides a cooler, more reflective perspective on events. He vacillates between skepticism and sympathy, attempting to make sense of Wade's actions and the family's past. His narration frames the story as a meditation on history and justice.

🗣️ Narration 🤝 Family history 🧭 Perspective

Jack Hewitt

A local hunting guide whose evasive behavior and murky connections feed Wade's suspicions of a broader conspiracy. He becomes the central figure in Wade's pursuit of a hidden truth, culminating in a tense confrontation.

🔎 Suspenseful ⚖️ Accusations

Evan Twombley

The man who was killed, with Wade believing it was murder rather than an accident. Twombley's intended testimony in a lawsuit makes him a potential liability for powerful locals. His death acts as the spark for Wade's fixation and the town's anxiety.

⚖️ Legal stakes 🔒 Secrecy

Gordon Lariviere

A town Selectman hand-in-hand with a wealthy developer, buying up property across the town. He embodies local political influence and the push toward development at what may be the expense of community values. His actions intersect with Wade's investigation, highlighting the collision between personal motive and public interest.

🏛️ Politics 💼 Power 💸 Wealth

Mel Gordon

A wealthy developer linked to the town's expansion, driving the ski resort plans and economic shift. He represents money's capacity to steer local life and possibly obscure truth. His role underscores the theme of profit-driven transformation clashing with individual lives.

💰 Development 🏗️ Change 💎 Conspiracy

Affliction Settings

Learn where and when Affliction (1998) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

New Hampshire

The story unfolds in a small town in New Hampshire, centered on Wade Whitehouse, a local police officer. The community is tight-knit and inward-looking, with old loyalties and simmering resentments. As the town edges toward modernization with new development, the social fabric strains under hidden tensions and personal vendettas.

🌲 New Hampshire 🏡 Small-town setting 🏂 Ski resort development

Affliction Themes

Discover the main themes in Affliction (1998). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💥

Obsession

Wade's fixation on proving Jack Hewitt's guilt and uncovering a larger conspiracy consumes him. His relentless pursuit warps perception, fueling paranoia and driving a wedge between him and his loved ones. The line between justice and vengeance blurs as his behavior grows increasingly reckless. The climax reveals how singular fixation can ignite a community's darkest impulses.

🧱

Family Dysfunction

The film lays bare a household fractured by abuse, alcohol, and long-buried trauma. Flashbacks illuminate Wade's painful childhood and the cycle of anger that shapes his adult choices. Violence and neglect ripple through the family, leaving scars on Wade, Rolfe, and Jill. Rolfe's more measured perspective contrasts with Wade's volatile descent, highlighting the fragility of kinship.

🏛️

Power and Change

Local power players and a wealthy developer push for property purchases that propel rapid town-wide change. The prospect of a ski resort symbolizes modernization and the eroding of traditional community ties. Wade's personal vendetta intersects with civic ambitions, suggesting money and influence can corrode justice. The town's future becomes entangled with moral compromises and ambition.

🕰️

Memory and Trauma

The narrative uses memory to reveal Wade's haunted past, including his mother's death and abusive upbringing. These memories shape his present paranoia and propensity for violence. Rolfe's narration frames the events as a reckoning with history, where unresolved wounds drive destructive behavior. The past lingers as a force that challenges the possibility of closure.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore the mobile app

Affliction Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Affliction (1998). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a cramped loft that hums with the scratch of a typewriter and the low‑grade neon glow of midnight streetlights, a young writer wrestles with a mind that refuses to stay grounded. His days are a fragile balance between the fierce drive to craft stories that captivate readers and the relentless whisper of a condition that bends perception. The city around him is rendered in muted shades, its ordinary rhythms tinged with an undercurrent of unease, reflecting the way his thoughts drift between what is real and what is imagined.

As his talent begins to draw attention, he finds himself coaxing the very instability that haunts him into a source of creative power. The literary world, with its promise of acclaim and validation, becomes a tempting stage where his fractured view of reality can be shown off as a unique voice. Yet each success pulls him deeper into a labyrinth where the boundaries between his fictional worlds and his lived experience start to dissolve, leaving him to wonder whether the stories he writes are simply extensions of his own psyche.

The film sways between gritty realism and surreal, almost dream‑like sequences, mirroring the protagonist’s internal struggle. Its atmosphere is thick with tension, a quiet dread that lingers even in moments of apparent triumph. The tone suggests that while brilliance can emerge from chaos, it also risks consuming the very soul that creates it, setting the stage for a compelling exploration of art, madness, and the cost of blurring the line between imagination and truth.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.