What Is Sublet About?
The premise of Sublet in 268 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the wake of a personal tragedy, a seasoned journalist finds himself far from the streets that once defined his work. Seeking a quiet place to regroup, he arrives in Tel Aviv, a city that pulses with sunlight, sea breezes, and an ever‑shifting tapestry of voices. The promise of a temporary apartment offers a chance to step away from his grief, but the city’s lively cafés, bustling markets, and vibrant street art soon remind him that life continues to move in bright, unpredictable rhythms.
Shortly after settling in, he discovers that the apartment he expects to call his own is already inhabited by a charismatic young local, Tomer, whose easy confidence and deep connection to the city contrast sharply with the journalist’s more measured pace. Their unexpected co‑habitation becomes a doorway into Tel Aviv’s eclectic culture—its museums, beaches, and the intimate gatherings of artists and thinkers who navigate love, identity, and legacy in ways that feel both foreign and strangely familiar. Through Tomer’s friendships and the surrounding community, the journalist begins to glimpse a world where personal history can be reshaped by the present moment.
Meanwhile, the journalist’s life back home, hinted at through brief contact with his husband David, lingers as a quiet undercurrent, raising questions about family, loss, and the possibilities of starting anew. The film’s tone balances wistful introspection with the kinetic energy of the city, offering a portrait of two men at different stages of self‑discovery who, amid Tel Aviv’s sun‑drenched streets, find themselves drawn into a conversation about what it means to heal, to belong, and to imagine a future beyond past sorrow.
What Happens in Sublet?
The complete story of Sublet, from the first scene to the last, in 633 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On his first day in Tel Aviv, Michael arrives at the apartment he is to sublet, only to discover it is still inhabited by Tomer, who had mixed up the arrival date. With Tomer’s bike stolen and nowhere else to stay in the bustling city, Michael offers for Tomer to share the space in exchange for a local tour. After a brief, tense video chat with his husband, David, Michael drifts off to sleep, the weight of a foreign city settling around him.
On day two, during a visit to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Michael gets a call from an IVF clinic and learns that David has moved forward with plans to have a child via a surrogate, without Michael’s knowledge. The news pushes the couple’s private life into a new, fragile openness, even as Michael tries to come to terms with looming changes.
Over lunch, the two men dive into talk of Michael’s debut book, Complications, which chronicles his life in New York City amid the AIDS crisis and the loss of his former partner. Tomer seems to view AIDS as a heavy, depressing subject, which perplexes Michael. Michael also meets Tomer’s friend Daria, who speaks of frustration with life as an artist in Israel and her plan to move to Berlin with her boyfriend in search of an easier path. Michael reminds them that his generation once protested to spark real change, while Daria argues that living for oneself can be a form of protest.
On the third day, the pair meet again at Frishman Beach, where Tomer reveals he found a copy of Michael’s book along the way. They encounter Guy, Tomer’s informal sexual and romantic partner, who hints at wanting something more formal. Tomer answers with a philosophy that tends toward savoring life’s possibilities and avoiding formal commitments. > “enjoy everything life has to offer”
“never to enter any formal relationships”
Later that evening, Michael witnesses Tomer browsing Atraf for casual encounters. After a tense moment of consideration, Michael passes on a potential hookup, but Tomer invites the other man to join. The visitor, Kobi, arrives, and a charged scene unfolds as Tomer and Kobi begin to have sex while Michael sits apart, ultimately retreating to sleep.
The next morning, Tomer wakes to find Michael preparing to leave, but he persuades him to stay and accept an invitation to dinner with his mother on the nearby Kibbutz. At the table, Tomer’s mother—a single parent who used a sperm bank to have him—asks Michael whether he ever longed to become a father. Michael opens up about the IVF attempt with David and the heartbreak of a baby dying at birth, acknowledging that David’s earlier move toward surrogacy was a second try for their family. Tomer’s mother and Tomer both urge Michael to consider giving fatherhood another chance, and Michael sits with them, contemplative as the family bonds unfold.
That night, Michael helps Tomer tame his wardrobe, teaching him a practical method to fold clothes. Their shared task ends with two mismatched socks—one plain business sock and one black sock speckled with white stars—now worn as sock puppets that the two use to stage a playful, improvised duet. The moment softens their tension, and they fall asleep next to each other, the quiet intimacy lingering as their journey together feels both tentative and hopeful.
The following morning, they share a goodbye meal at the airport. Tomer suggests that Michael would be a wonderful father and encourages him to pursue parenthood again. On the flight home, Michael leaves a voicemail for David, proposing a future dinner at a park they once visited in their youth. The film closes with Tomer reclaiming the stolen bike and riding through the city, a small, steady symbol of resilience and possibility as life moves forward.
Sublet Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrival and sublet arrangement” to “Ending image: Tomer rides again”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Arrival and sublet arrangement
Michael arrives at the Tel Aviv apartment he is to sublet, only to find Tomer still occupying it due to a date mix-up. Tomer explains his bike was stolen and he has nowhere else to stay in the city. Michael offers Tomer to stay in exchange for showing him around Tel Aviv. They finish the day with a brief video call with his husband, David.
When:Day 1 Where:Tel Aviv apartment
- 2
Surrogacy news arrives
On his second day, while visiting the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Michael receives a call from an IVF clinic and learns that David has moved forward with plans to have a child via a surrogate without Michael's knowledge. The news unsettles him and raises questions about their future and what he wants.
When:Day 2 Where:Tel Aviv Museum of Art
- 3
Lunch debate about AIDS and Daria's plans
Over lunch, Michael and Tomer discuss Michael's debut book, Complications, which recounts his life in New York City during the AIDS crisis and the death of his former boyfriend. Tomer finds AIDS depressing to think about, which bewilders Michael. Daria, Tomer's friend, expresses frustration with life in Israel and plans to move to Berlin with her boyfriend, hoping for an easier time.
When:Day 2 Where:Tel Aviv restaurant
- 4
Frishman Beach encounter; meeting Guy
On the third day they meet at Frishman Beach, where Tomer mentions Guy, an informal partner who wants a more formal relationship, while Tomer's philosophy is to enjoy life without commitment. Michael sees a toddler walk and fall into the water and runs to rescue him, but the mother becomes angry with him. That night, David apologizes to Michael for going behind his back yet expresses excitement about the surrogacy process moving forward.
When:Day 3 Where:Frishman Beach, Tel Aviv
- 5
Dance performance scene
That evening, Tomer attends a dance performance by Daria and her Palestinian boyfriend, where their onstage clash culminates in their eventual embrace. The performance underscores the tensions and connections in Tomer's circle and in Michael's own feelings about love and commitment. Michael watches with a reflective eye as the piece unfolds.
When:Day 3 evening Where:Tel Aviv (dance venue)
- 6
Kobi encounter and Tomer’s casual sex
That night, Tomer browses Atraf for casual partners. Michael shows interest in one profile, but Tomer invites the man over anyway. Kobi arrives, and Tomer and Kobi begin to have sex while Michael watches before Michael quietly goes to sleep.
When:Night Day 3 Where:Tomer's apartment
- 7
Departure postponed; dinner invitation
The morning of the fourth day, Tomer wakes to find Michael about to leave but stops him and invites him to dinner with his mother on the Kibbutz. The invitation marks a shift toward deeper family ties and personal revelations. Michael agrees to stay for the meal and what follows.
When:Day 4 morning Where:Tel Aviv; Kibbutz
- 8
Dinner with Tomer's mother
At dinner, Tomer's mother reveals she raised him as a single mother using a sperm bank. She asks Michael if he ever wanted children, and he replies honestly about his and David's attempts. Tomer and his mother urge Michael that it isn't too late to try for a family, intensifying the film's meditation on parenthood.
When:Day 4 evening Where:Kibbutz home
- 9
Wardrobe organizing and intimate moment
That night, Michael helps Tomer organize his chaotic wardrobe and demonstrates how to fold clothes, leading to an awkwardly charming moment when they end up with two unmatched socks. They use the mismatched socks as puppets to enact their personalities, and the playful mood turns intimate as they share a private moment and fall asleep together.
When:Night Day 4 Where:Tomer's apartment
- 10
Airport goodbye and final plan
The next morning they share a final meal in the airport before Michael leaves, and Tomer tells him he would be a good father and should try again. Michael leaves a voicemail for David suggesting they have dinner in a park they used to visit, signaling a potential future reconnection. The scene sets a bittersweet note for their separate paths.
When:Day 5 morning Where:Airport
- 11
Ending image: Tomer rides again
On the flight home, Michael leaves a voicemail for David about meeting up, but the film ends with a visual of Tomer recovering his stolen bike and riding through the city, a sign of life continuing for him in Tel Aviv. The final image emphasizes resilience and the possibility of new beginnings within the ordinary rhythms of the city.
When:End Where:Tel Aviv city
Who Are the Main Characters in Sublet?
8 characters, among them Michael (John Benjamin Hickey), Tomer (Niv Nissim) and Daria (Lihi Kornowski): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Michael (John Benjamin Hickey)
Played by John Benjamin Hickey
An American writer visiting Tel Aviv, married to David, who carries memories of the AIDS crisis in New York. He’s introspective and emotionally cautious, yet drawn to new connections when they arise in the sublet arrangement. His past informs how he reads love, trust, and companionship in the present.
- 🧭 Identity
- ❤️ Relationships
- 🕰️ Memory
- T(
Tomer (Niv Nissim)
Played by Niv Nissim
A free-spirited Tel Aviv resident who embraces living in the moment and avoids formal commitments. He negotiates casual relationships, including his dynamic with Guy, while tending to his family ties, notably his mother on a Kibbutz. His carefree ethos challenges Michael's expectations of love and stability.
- 🌈 LGBTQ
- 🧭 Freedom
- 🧩 Casual relationships
- D(
Daria (Lihi Kornowski)
Played by Lihi Kornowski
An Israeli artist frustrated with life in Israel who plans to move to Berlin with her boyfriend, seeking easier living. Her conversations with Michael reveal different philosophies of protest, personal choice, and self-fulfillment. She represents a pragmatic, aspirational strand of urban life.
- 🎨 Artist
- 🗺️ Change
- 💬 Debate
- D(
David (Peter Spears)
Played by Peter Spears
Michael’s husband, who pursues plans for surrogacy behind Michael’s back, triggering conflict and questions about autonomy in relationships. His actions catalyze the plot’s emotional stakes and force Michael to reassess what they want for their future.
- 💔 Betrayal
- 🧬 Parenthood
- 🗣️ Secrets
- G(
Guy (Gabriel Omri Loukas)
Played by Gabriel Omri Loukas
Tomer's informal sexual and romantic partner who desires a more formal relationship, highlighting tension between non-monogamy and emotional commitment. He represents a contrasting path to Tomer's philosophy of living in the moment.
- ❤️ Romance
- 🗝️ Relationship status
- 🧭 Boundaries
- K(
Kobi (Tamir Ginsburg)
Played by Tamir Ginsburg
A casual sexual partner encountered by Tomer; his brief presence underscores the film’s exploration of non-traditional connections and the loosening of boundaries in urban dating.
- 🎭 Casual encounter
- 🔍 Boundary tests
- 💤 Nightlife
- D(
Dancer (Adi Boutrous)
Played by Adi Boutrous
A performer who participates in a dance piece with Daria, illustrating how art intersects with personal and political tensions in the narrative. He contributes to the film’s sense of movement and modern life.
- 🎭 Performance
- 🕺 Dance
- 🎶 Expression
- MA
Mother at the Beach (Tamar Hannah Shtaierman)
Played by Tamar Hannah Shtaierman
Tomer’s mother, a single parent who used a sperm bank to conceive, expresses practical warmth and encouragement about having more children. Her perspective adds a generational hinge in the film’s exploration of family and legacy.
- 👩👦 Family
- 🏠 Home
- 👩👧 Generational
Where and When Is Sublet Set?
Sublet is set in Tel Aviv, Frishman Beach and Kibbutz (present-day (early 2020s)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
present-day (early 2020s)
The events take place in contemporary Tel Aviv, reflecting current urban life and relationships. Subletting, dating, IVF procedures, and surrogacy anchor the narrative in this era. Real-world locations ground the story in a modern, lived-in setting.
Where
Tel Aviv, Frishman Beach, Kibbutz
Tel Aviv serves as the backdrop, a coastal city known for its vibrant culture. The story unfolds around an apartment sublet, visits to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and days at Frishman Beach, grounding the narrative in urban life and seaside atmosphere. A Kibbutz on the outskirts hints at family roots and contrasts between city and communal living.
- 🌆 City life
- 🏖 Beach scene
- 🌍 Modern Israel
What Are the Themes of Sublet?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Relationships, Parenthood and Identity & Memory.
-
01
Relationships
Michael's marriage to David and Tomer's open lifestyle explore the boundaries of commitment and desire. The film contrasts conventional partnerships with casual, non-exclusive connections, raising questions about what counts as a meaningful relationship. Intimate moments and shared spaces reveal vulnerability, trust, and the potential for new bonds.
-
02
Parenthood
Fertility, IVF, and surrogacy drive the plot and emotional stakes. Characters confront secrets and timing around starting a family, highlighting hope, risk, and the fragility of plans. Family ties—whether through donor conception or chosen kin—shape the choices and conversations around parenthood.
-
03
Identity & Memory
Memory of past traumas and historical moments informs present decisions, notably Michael's AIDS-era NYC history. Cross-cultural interactions test boundaries and foster moments of connection. The film uses memory and identity to examine how people reinvent themselves within a changing urban landscape.
What Kind of Film Is Sublet?
Bittersweet in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A melancholic yet hopeful character study that unfolds slowly in Tel Aviv, exploring grief, connection, and the search for meaning through a tender intergenerational friendship.
- reflective
- melancholic
- hopeful
- introspective
- intimate
- atmospheric
- generational gap
- grief and healing
- cross-cultural connection
- midlife crisis
Quiz
How well do you remember Sublet? Test yourself on the story.
