What Is Now and Then About?
The premise of Now and Then in 317 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet town of Shelby, Indiana, a woman finds herself drawn back to a summer that shaped the course of her life. As an adult she pieces together fragmented memories of the friends who shared her childhood, the simple joys and unspoken fears that defined those long, hazy days. The story opens with a gentle reflection on how a single season can linger in the heart, offering both comfort and an unsettling sense of unfinished business.
The world of that summer is a small‑town tapestry where endless afternoons are filled with imagination, whispered secrets, and the yearning to break free from the expectations that hover just beyond the porch rail. Samantha Albertson, an aspiring writer with a family on the brink of change, discovers her voice among a close‑knit group that includes Teeny, a budding actress chasing a glittering dream, Roberta Martin, a thoughtful young woman wrestling with newfound self‑awareness, and Chrissy DeWitt, whose sheltered outlook masks a quiet courage. Their bond is forged through shared adventures and the quiet understanding that each carries a personal struggle, creating a safe haven where innocence meets the first stirrings of adulthood. The tone balances nostalgic warmth with an undercurrent of curiosity, hinting at mysteries that linger just out of reach.
Decades later, the friends reunite, and the act of remembering becomes a delicate pilgrimage into the past. As they sit together in the familiar streets of their hometown, a hidden truth begins to surface—one that could reshape the connections they thought they understood. The present‑day gathering forces each of them to confront the lingering shadows of that summer, testing the depth of their loyalty and the honesty they owe themselves. In this quiet, emotionally resonant space, the film invites viewers to contemplate how the echoes of youth reverberate through the choices we make, and how courage and truth can finally bring an old, cherished friendship into the light.
What Happens in Now and Then?
The complete story of Now and Then, from the first scene to the last, in 713 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Samantha Albertson, Melanie Griffith, a science-fiction author, Tina “Teeny” Tercell, Demi Moore, a Hollywood actress, Roberta Martin, Rosie O’Donnell, a gynecologist, and Chrissy DeWitt, Rita Wilson, a homemaker who is pregnant, reunite in their hometown of Shelby, Indiana in 1991. The reunion stirs memories of a formative summer from 1970, when the four girls—each carrying her own private struggles—shared a secret world of friendship, curiosity, and the thrill of growing up just steps away from the conspicuously affluent Gaslight Addition.
Back then, Samantha, Teeny, Roberta, and Chrissy were bound by a common mission: their shared desire to raise money to build a tree house in Chrissy’s backyard. Samantha’s family life is strained by her parents’ looming divorce, Teeny is chasing fame and battling crushes, Roberta wrestles with self-consciousness about her developing body, and Chrissy approaches life with a naïve, sheltered outlook. Under Samantha’s lead, they drift toward the occult, sneaking nocturnal séances in the cemetery that cement their bond and spark a mystery of their own making.
During one of these rituals, a cracked tombstone leads them to believe they’ve resurrected a boy named Dear Johnny, who died in 1945. The girls’ curiosity pushes them to dig deeper, uncovering clues about Johnny’s fate and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Their sleuthing expands when they search for more details at a library in a nearby town. Roberta learns about her mother’s fatal car accident—a tragedy her family had never fully disclosed—while Samantha’s obituary scavenging reveals only fragments about Johnny, with crucial pages missing and the cause of the other deaths left unresolved.
A long-standing neighborhood rivalry with the Wormer brothers adds tension and mischief to their quest. Roberta experiences a teenage kiss with Scott Wormer, cementing the rivalry in new, complicated ways. Family tensions surface at dinner when Samantha’s mother introduces a new partner, intensifying Samantha’s sense of upheaval. The friends’ loyalty is tested as a storm breaks, and Samantha, distressed by the changes around her, leaves home. Teeny consoles her, and the two share a moment that strengthens their bond, even as a storm drains away part of their innocence when Samantha’s treasured friendship bracelet slips into a storm drain and nearly costs her life before Crazy Pete—a mysterious, nocturnal neighbor who seems unapproachable at first—rescues her.
A trip to Samantha’s grandmother’s attic reveals old newspapers that tell a more painful truth: Jonathan Sims and his mother, Beverly Anne, were killed during a burglary, while their heartbroken husband and father, Peter, returned to find them dead. Roberta reacts with anger at the violence that claimed innocent lives and to the violent death of her own mother, which contradicts what she has been told. In this moment, Samantha shares the news of her parents’ divorce, and the girls vow to stand by one another no matter what.
The group returns to the cemetery for one last séance to lay Johnny’s soul to rest. The tombstone rises with a radiant glow, but a groundskeeper interrupts, chastising the girls for “playing” there and revealing that he was the one who cracked the stone and will replace it. Chrissy decides to step away from séances, deeming them a waste of time, while Samantha realizes that childhood is slipping away and the future is pulling her toward a new, more independent life.
As the adults’ lives unfold, Samantha spots Crazy Pete heading toward the tombstone, and she welcomes him with a sense of nuance and pity, learning that Pete is connected to the mystery they’ve chased. Time passes, and the tree house at last becomes a reality, offering a symbol of independence that, in Samantha’s voiceover, comes with a cost: the summer’s independence also means independence from each other.
In 1991, Chrissy goes into labor, and Roberta assists in delivering a baby girl, bringing the circle of friends full circle as they become part of one another’s lives in a new way. In the old tree house, Roberta reveals that Crazy Pete died the year before, and Samantha confesses that Pete was Dear Johnny’s father. The four friends reaffirm their pact, choosing to stay close despite the passage of time and the changes that come with adulthood. Their shared vow—formed in youth, tested in adulthood—serves as a quiet, enduring testament to the power of friendship.
Now and Then Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “1991 reunion in Shelby” to “Revelations in the old tree house”. 15 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
1991 reunion in Shelby
Four women who were childhood friends reunite in their hometown of Shelby, Indiana. They catch up on the years since they last saw each other and reaffirm the pact they made as children to be there for one another. The reunion reopens old memories and foreshadows the strife behind each of their lives.
When:1991 Where:Shelby, Indiana
- 2
Summer 1970: tree house plan
In Gaslight Addition, Samantha convinces the other girls to pool money to buy a tree house for Chrissy's backyard. Each girl is coping with personal challenges: Samantha's parents divorce, Teeny seeks stardom, Roberta faces puberty and embarrassment, and Chrissy lacks worldly knowledge. The plan to build the tree house becomes a symbol of their friendship and growing independence.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Addition, Shelby, Indiana
- 3
Nighttime séances in the cemetery
The girls sneak out after dark to hold séances in a cemetery inspired by Samantha's interest in the occult. They believe their rituals awaken a spirit they call Dear Johnny after a cracked tombstone. The events set them on a quest to uncover Johnny's fate.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Cemetery, Shelby, Indiana
- 4
Crack reveals Dear Johnny's spirit
A cracked tombstone during their séance convinces them they have summoned the spirit of Dear Johnny, a boy who died in 1945. The girls decide to investigate what happened to him and search for clues. The mystery deepens as they uncover missing pieces of the past.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Cemetery, Shelby, Indiana
- 5
Roberta learns about her mother's death
At a library in a nearby town, Roberta discovers an article about her mother's fatal car accident, revealing details she had never known. Samantha finds an obituary mentioning Johnny and his mother's deaths, but many pages are missing, leaving the case unresolved. The girls realize their families' histories are more complicated than they thought.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Nearby town library
- 6
First kiss with Scott Wormer and rivalry
Roberta shares a kiss with Scott Wormer, deepening the rivalry between Roberta and the Wormer brothers. The dynamic between the girls and the neighborhood boys becomes more tense as secrets emerge. The group struggles with loyalty and trust.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Addition, Shelby
- 7
Samantha's family tension and the necklace
Samantha's mother's new boyfriend creates tension at home, prompting Samantha to confide in Teeny after dinner. Teeny comforts her and breaks her favorite necklace in two, giving half to Samantha as a token of friendship. The bracelet later slips away during a thunderstorm, deepening the girls' sense of peril.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Samantha's home
- 8
Storm drain and Crazy Pete's rescue
A violent storm hits as the girls head home, and Samantha nearly drowns trying to retrieve her bracelet from a storm drain. She is rescued by Crazy Pete, a nocturnal neighbor who seems mysterious at first. His sudden intervention changes the girls' perception of him.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Shelby, near storm drain
- 9
Attic discovery of a murder and family tragedies
The girls sneak into Samantha's grandmother's attic and find old newspapers about Jonathan Sims and his mother Beverly Anne, who were shot during a burglary. Roberta learns that her mother died violently, contradicting what she had been told. The revelation deepens their commitment to each other and their quest for truth.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Grandmother's attic, Shelby
- 10
The pact to remain there for one another
Motivated by the new truths they have uncovered, the girls pledge to always support one another no matter what. They vow to be present through whatever life throws at them, reinforcing their friendship. This pact becomes the anchor of their later adult lives.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Addition, Shelby
Show the other 5 events of Now and Then Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Final séance and the groundskeeper's truth
The girls perform a last séance to lay Dear Johnny's soul to rest, and Johnny's tombstone rises amid a bright light. A groundskeeper reveals that he cracked the stone, scolding them for playing in the cemetery. Chrissy chooses not to participate in future séances, signaling the end of their magical summer.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Cemetery
- 12
Crazy Pete's identity as Dear Johnny's father
As they leave the cemetery, Samantha notices Crazy Pete walking toward the graves and realizes he is Peter, the man she has come to know as Crazy Pete. He offers a quiet, empathetic word of advice and hints at a deeper connection to the past. This revelation reframes the mystery they chased as children.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Gaslight Cemetery
- 13
The tree house: independence promised, independence realized
Some time later, the tree house is finally bought, symbolizing a newfound independence for the group. Samantha reflects that the summer did not grant more freedom to the girls; it created distance and a separation among them. The memory of that summer remains a turning point in their lives.
When:Summer 1970 Where:Chrissy's backyard, Gaslight Addition
- 14
1991: childbirth and the circle tightens
In 1991, Chrissy goes into labor and Roberta helps deliver her baby, tying their past to the present. The scene grounds the long friendship as they step into new roles in their community. The birth marks a continuation of the bond they formed as children.
When:1991 Where:Shelby, Indiana
- 15
Revelations in the old tree house
In their old tree house, Roberta reveals that Crazy Pete died the previous year and Samantha confesses that Pete was Dear Johnny's father. The revelation brings a quiet, bittersweet closure to the mystery they started as children. The friends reaffirm their pact to stay connected despite the years and changes they've faced.
When:1991 Where:Old Tree House, Shelby
Who Are the Main Characters in Now and Then?
6 characters, among them Samantha Albertson, Tina "Teeny" Tercell and Dr. Roberta Martin: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- SA
Samantha Albertson
In 1991, Samantha is a renowned science-fiction author who catalyzes the group with curiosity and leadership. Her ambition and intellect drive the exploration of memory and mystery, while she also grapples with her parents' divorce and the realities of adulthood.
- 🌟 Ambition
- 🧭 Curiosity
- 🤝 Loyalty
- T"
Tina "Teeny" Tercell
Teeny is the group’s aspiring Hollywood actress who seeks fame and attention. Her pursuit of stardom reflects the pull between childhood dreams and adult realities, and she relies on friendship to ground her ambitions.
- 🌟 Ambition
- 🎭 Fame
- 💕 Youth
- DR
Dr. Roberta Martin
Roberta grows from a tomboyish kid into a gynecologist, navigating body image and professional identity. She faces intimate truths with pragmatism, illustrating strength in female friendship and resilience.
- 🩺 Profession
- 💪 Strength
- 🫂 Friendship
- CD
Chrissy DeWitt
Chrissy is a homemaker who becomes pregnant, representing care, vulnerability, and the courage required to navigate family obligations. Her naivety about life contrasts with the others' more outward ambitions.
- 🤰 Motherhood
- 💞 Care
- 🧭 Growth
- CP
Crazy Pete (Peter)
Crazy Pete is the nocturnal bicycle rider the girls initially fear; he is later revealed to be Peter, Dear Johnny's father, a lonely presence whose quiet wisdom helps Samantha process loss.
- 🌙 Mystery
- 🧓 Wisdom
- 🗝️ Secrets
- DJ
Dear Johnny
Dear Johnny is the young boy whose 1945 death becomes the center of the town's mystery. His presence lingers through the séance, symbolizing how memory and unresolved history haunt a community.
- 👦 Memory
- 🕯️ Ghosts
- 🗝️ Secrets
Where and When Is Now and Then Set?
Now and Then is set in Shelby, Indiana and Gaslight Addition (1970 and 1991). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1970 and 1991
The narrative shifts between a carefree, sun-drenched 1970 summer when the girls explore innocence and occult curiosities, and a 1991 reunion that confronts adulthood, divorce, and the consequences of their past. The two periods reveal how time alters relationships, ambitions, and the sense of independence. The contrast emphasizes nostalgia with the weight of hidden truths coming to light.
Where
Shelby, Indiana, Gaslight Addition
Shelby is a quiet Midwest town backdrop for childhood summers and a later adult reunion. The affluent Gaslight Addition neighborhood provides a privileged yet secretive environment where the girls' friendships are formed and tested. The setting juxtaposes sunlit 1970s summers with a reflective 1991 homecoming, highlighting how place shapes memory and change.
- 🏡 Suburban
- 🗺️ Small-town
- 🌳 Tree-lined streets
What Are the Themes of Now and Then?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Growing Up, Friendship and Mystery.
-
01
Growing Up
Growing up is portrayed through the girls' evolving desires, fears, and secrets. They navigate crushes, parental divorce, and new responsibilities as the tree house becomes a symbol of independence. The summer ends with a realization that growing up also means letting go of childhood closeness. Time moves them from carefree play to the responsibilities of adulthood.
-
02
Friendship
Friendship binds the four girls through joy, danger, and secrets. They form a pact to always support one another, even as rivalries with the Wormer brothers test loyalty. The séances and discoveries challenge trust, yet their bond endures across years. The 1991 reunion reinforces the durability and fragility of long-term friendship.
-
03
Mystery
The occult séances spark curiosity and invite doubt, blending fantasy with real-world clues. The quest to uncover Dear Johnny's fate uncovers hidden histories within the town and family secrets. Missing pages, accidents, and a buried obituary complicate the truth, showing how stories are shaped by what is revealed and what is kept hidden. The mystery ultimately reframes childhood adventures as a coping mechanism for loss.
-
04
Memory & Truth
Memory shapes identity and color the way the past is remembered. Discoveries about parental divorce, a mother's death, and other concealed histories force the characters to reevaluate their childhood. The film balances nostalgic warmth with painful reality, illustrating how memory can both heal and distance. The final vow to stay close acknowledges memory's dual power to sustain relationships and reveal uncomfortable truths.
What Kind of Film Is Now and Then?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A nostalgic and intimate journey into the bittersweet heart of friendship, blending warm childhood memories with the melancholic truth that growing up inevitably means growing apart.
- nostalgic
- melancholic
- hopeful
- sentimental
- reflective
- intimate
- coming of age
- friendship
- childhood memories
- family secrets
Content notes: parental death, discussion of violent death.
Quiz
How well do you remember Now and Then? Test yourself on the story.
