What Is Walking on Sunshine About?
The premise of Walking on Sunshine in 252 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sun‑kissed Italian coastal village, a weekend of celebration is set against a backdrop of glimmering Mediterranean blue and an infectious soundtrack of 1980s hits. The charming setting feels both timeless and playfully retro, inviting the characters—and the audience—to sway between romance and carefree nostalgia.
Madison (known as Maddie) is preparing for the biggest day of her life, her dream wedding to a charismatic local, while her younger sister Taylor arrives to share in the festivities. Their bond, forged in childhood, is instantly juxtaposed with a secret that lingers beneath the surface: years earlier, Taylor and the groom‑to‑be, Raf, shared a fleeting summer romance that left an indelible imprint on both hearts. The sisters’ reunion in this picturesque town stirs a delicate mix of excitement, envy, and unspoken longing.
Raf, with his easy‑going Italian charm, becomes the magnetic focal point around which the sisters’ emotions orbit. He embodies the allure of a past that refuses to stay buried, offering both Maddie and Taylor a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been. Alongside them, a close‑knit circle of friends adds humor and warmth, their camaraderie amplifying the film’s breezy, feel‑good atmosphere.
The story promises a lively blend of music, seaside vistas, and the inevitable tension that arises when love, family loyalty, and hidden histories collide. As the wedding day approaches, the audience is invited to wonder how the sisters will navigate the tangled web of affection and duty, all while the sun‑lit streets and nostalgic tunes keep the mood bright and hopeful.
What Happens in Walking on Sunshine?
The complete story of Walking on Sunshine, from the first scene to the last, in 770 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Taylor and her boyfriend, Raf, stand by the sea as he asks her to stay in Italy and skip the university plan in favor of a “real life.” He whispers of a future together, but she holds back, torn between a life abroad and the pull of a traditional path.
Three years later, she heads to the sun-soaked Apulia region for a holiday. Her sister Maddie has already arrived five weeks earlier, inviting an extravagantly lively circle of friends, including Lil. Maddie drops a bombshell: she’s getting married in two days. The dramatic, gleeful welcome also reveals that Maddie has invited Taylor to the wedding, while [Lil] reveals that Taylor had a romance in Apulia on a past trip. Taylor explains she doesn’t want to rekindle anything from that time, insisting she’s focused on family and moving forward.
On the beach, Taylor runs into friends again—Elena and her boyfriend Enrico, as well as Mikey. Raf is spotted among the crowd, and a clever, almost fated connection flares as Taylor follows him, only for Maddie to surprise them all by kissing Raf and revealing the engagement. The revelation shocks everyone, especially Elena, Enrico, Mikey, and Maddie, who never suspected the sisters shared such a past. Taylor pretends not to know Raf, hoping to spare Maddie from pain, even as the group senses unfinished business between Taylor and Raf.
The wedding day approaches, and Maddie assigns Raf and Taylor the task of sorting their outfits and choosing rings. Old tensions surface as they argue about whether people should “sing from the rooftops” about their feelings. Taylor remains cautious, while Raf insists that true feelings deserve to be spoken plainly. The result is a pair of wedding outfits that hint at lingering emotion, a sign of how closely their history still knots their present.
Meanwhile, Doug arrives, having second thoughts about the breakup that ended things with Maddie. He presses Maddie to take him back, but she declines, only to invite him to dinner as a kind of final farewell. A dinner scene follows where Elena and Enrico share a secret by the pool, and Elena confesses she is pregnant. The revelation adds another layer of complexity to the wedding plans and the hidden loyalties at play.
At Maddie’s insistence, the couple—Taylor and Raf—are sent to make final preparations for Maddie’s big day. Taylor declines a plus one, hinting at the unresolved past with Raf. Doug sends pink roses to Maddie with a note that foreshadows further complications, leading to a fiery argument among the group. The tomato festival becomes a moment of levity and color, as everyone heads to the vibrant event, with the crowd singing along to Walking on Sunshine.
The day ebbs into dusk as Raf and Taylor walk along the shoreline, the air thick with what-ifs. The sun dips, and a moment of quiet turns into a charged confrontation, with the memory of their past rising to the surface. The rooftop, once a private space for confession, becomes the stage for a public performance of their feelings. A theatrical turn follows, as Maddie’s hen party leaves her momentarily distracted and Taylor confronts the truth of her heart. The famous line from the rooftop moment surfaces:
If I Could Turn Back Time
Raf joins Taylor on the roof, and the two share a sincere, if hard-won, confession of love. Their kiss signals a turning point: the history they share is not simply left behind, but reconciled in a new, face-to-face honesty.
Back at the church, the ceremony begins with flourish, but Doug objects from the pews. Maddie, however, steps forward with a broader vision of love, declaring that she’s in love with love itself and that Raf deserves someone who truly belongs with him. Raf walks away, and Taylor pursues him, determined to make amends. On the rooftop once more, she sings to him, a gesture that seals their fate:
If I Could Turn Back Time
The couple’s resolve becomes clear, and they finally recognize the depth of their connection. The narrative then returns to Elena and Enrico, who reveal Elena’s pregnancy, while Lil hints at feelings for Mikey. Maddie faces a future of independence, supported by the love of her sister, and Doug meets a dramatic end as a light-hearted prank turns serious: a hang-glider scene releases him to the open sea, where he is carried away in a farcical and symbolic finale.
The film closes on a jubilant, all-hands performance of Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, echoing the movie’s old-school pop sensibility and its themes of reconnection, forgiveness, and choosing love in all its imperfect, wonderful forms.
Walking on Sunshine Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “A crossroad at the sea” to “Ending prank and final song”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
A crossroad at the sea
Taylor and Raf discuss a future together; Raf asks her to stay in Italy, offering a 'real life' instead of university plans. Taylor recoils, torn between abroad opportunities and the traditional path she’s drawn to. The moment plants the seed of a choice she will carry with her.
When:Three years earlier Where:Sea near Italy
- 2
Arrival in Apulia for a sun-soaked holiday
Three years later, Taylor travels to Apulia for a holiday while Maddie has already arrived with a lively circle of friends. The sunny setting promises a carefree break, but Maddie drops a bombshell about her upcoming wedding in two days. Taylor keeps her distance from the past romance she once had there.
When:Present day Where:Apulia, Italy
- 3
Wedding bombshell and past romance revealed
Maddie announces her two-day wedding, inviting Taylor to attend. Lil hints at Taylor’s earlier romance in Apulia, catching the sisters and friends off guard. Taylor insists she won’t rekindle old flames and focuses on family and moving forward.
When:Wedding Eve Prelude Where:Maddie’s holiday home, Apulia
- 4
Beach sighting and shocking kiss reveal
On the beach, Taylor runs into Raf among Elena, Enrico, Mikey and others. Maddie unexpectedly kisses Raf and reveals the engagement, shocking the group and reawakening old tensions. Taylor pretends not to know Raf, hoping to spare Maddie pain, while the group senses unfinished business.
When:Wedding week Where:Beach in Apulia
- 5
Wedding outfits and old tensions surface
Maddie assigns Raf and Taylor to sort outfits and rings for the wedding. Old resentments flare as they argue about whether feelings should be announced openly. The result is a pair of wedding outfits that hint at lingering emotion and unfinished business.
When:Pre-wedding day Where:Wedding venue in Apulia
- 6
Doug’s arrival and Elena’s secret
Doug arrives, pressing Maddie to take him back, but she declines and invites him to a goodbye dinner. Elena and Enrico share a hidden secret by the pool, and Elena reveals she is pregnant. The revelation adds tension to the wedding plans and loyalties.
When:Evening before wedding Where:Poolside dinner
- 7
Final prep tensions and a bouquet of roses
Taylor and Raf are sent to finish final wedding preparations, with Taylor declining a plus one. Doug sends pink roses to Maddie with a note foreshadowing trouble, triggering a fiery argument among the group. The mood grows more volatile as the big day approaches.
When:Night before wedding Where:Maddie’s home/venue
- 8
Tomato festival and lively celebration
The tomato festival provides levity and color as everyone heads to the festival together. The crowd sings along to Walking on Sunshine, lifting the mood despite underlying tensions. The event acts as a communal backdrop for evolving relationships.
When:Wedding eve Where:Tomato festival, Apulia
- 9
Dusk walk and rooftop foreshadowing
As dusk falls, Raf and Taylor walk along the shoreline, the air heavy with what-ifs. The rooftop soon becomes a stage for confession, and the memory of their history surfaces with the hint of nostalgia. The moment sets the tone for the thunderous revelations to come.
When:Evening before wedding Where:Shoreline and rooftop
- 10
Maddie’s hen party distraction and rooftop hint
Maddie’s hen party distracts the group, allowing Taylor to confront the truth of her heart. The rooftop scene carries the iconic line 'If I Could Turn Back Time,' hinting at the possibility of changing the past. Emotions tighten as the crowd awaits the next move.
When:Wedding Eve Where:Rooftop
Show the other 5 events of Walking on Sunshine Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Raf joins and heartfelt confession
Raf joins Taylor on the rooftop, and they share a sincere, hard-won confession of love. Their kiss marks a turning point, proving that their history can be reconciled in honest dialogue. The moment shifts the trajectory of both their futures.
When:Evening Where:Rooftop
- 12
Church ceremony and dramatic intervention
Back at the church, the ceremony begins with flourish, but Doug objects from the pews. Maddie declares that she’s in love with love itself and that Raf deserves someone who truly belongs with him. Raf walks away, and Taylor pursues him, refusing to let the past keep them apart.
When:Wedding day Where:Maddie’s wedding church
- 13
Rooftop reprise and renewed connection
On the rooftop once more, Taylor sings to Raf, sealing their fate with a renewed connection. The couple chooses honesty over hesitation, fully embracing the love that exists between them. The moment frames the film’s message about forgiveness and reunion.
When:Wedding day celebration Where:Rooftop
- 14
Reveals and new loves
The story returns to Elena and Enrico, who reveal Elena’s pregnancy, adding new family dynamics. Lil hints at feelings for Mikey, adding a thread of unfulfilled romance to the tapestry. The wedding party begins to re-center on love and friendship.
When:Post-ceremony Where:Pool/house party area
- 15
Ending prank and final song
Doug’s prank takes a dramatic turn as a hang-glider scene launches him into the sea, carrying him away in a farcical yet symbolic finale. The film closes with a jubilant all-hands performance of Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, underscoring themes of reconnection and choosing love. The finale leaves the characters reconciled and optimistic about their imperfect but heartfelt futures.
When:Ending Where:Sea/shore and final performance
Who Are the Main Characters in Walking on Sunshine?
8 characters, among them Taylor (Hannah Arterton), Raf (Giulio Berruti) and Maddie (Annabel Scholey): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- T(
Taylor (Hannah Arterton)
Played by Hannah Arterton
A romantic and cautious woman torn between a long-term future abroad and a traditional path; she seeks stability for Maddie’s wedding while grappling with lingering attraction to Raf. She navigates pride, practicality, and the pull of genuine connection as she debates stepping away from a familiar plan.
- 💖 Romance
- 🌿 Self-discovery
- 🧭 Choice
- R(
Raf (Giulio Berruti)
Played by Giulio Berruti
A passionate, determined former flame who wants open acknowledgment of his feelings yet respects Taylor's boundaries; his connection to Maddie's sister and the wedding creates tension. He embodies a mix of warmth, persistence, and a sense of unfinished business.
- 💘 Romance
- ⏳ Past
- 🔥 Passion
- M(
Maddie (Annabel Scholey)
Played by Annabel Scholey
Taylor’s sister, exuberant and social, planning a big wedding while juggling relationships and family drama. She champions love in its many forms and unafraid to push the boundaries of tradition for happiness.
- 🎉 Family
- 💍 Wedding
- 🥂 Celebration
- L(
Lil (Katy Brand)
Played by Katy Brand
An outspoken party-goer who stirs gossip and keeps the energy high at gatherings. Her presence highlights the social dynamics of friendship and the tug-of-war between loyalty and fun.
- 🎈 Friendship
- 🗣️ Gossip
- E(
Elena (Leona Lewis)
Played by Leona Lewis
A friend in the circle who brings a new layer to the group with pregnancy; her storyline adds depth to loyalty, choice, and shared futures.
- 🤰 Pregnancy
- 👪 Family
- E(
Enrico (Giulio Maria Corso)
Played by Giulio Maria Corso
Elena’s boyfriend, a supportive presence within the friend group who complements the couple dynamics and contributes to the weekend’s emotional undercurrents.
- 💑 Couple
- ✨ Hope
- M(
Mikey (Danny Kirrane)
Played by Danny Kirrane
The cheerful connector within the circle, whose humor lightens tension and keeps the party atmosphere alive.
- 🎶 Fun
- 🥂 Celebration
- D(
Doug (Greg Wise)
Played by Greg Wise
Maddie’s ex who reappears with ambiguous intentions; his arc culminates in a dramatic, farcical finale that tests the group’s capacity for forgiveness and moving on.
- 💔 Heartbreak
- 🧭 Complications
Where and When Is Walking on Sunshine Set?
Walking on Sunshine is set in Apulia and Italy. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events unfold in a contemporary timeframe. The narrative spans a three-year arc from a past romance to a sunlit wedding weekend. The setting emphasizes modern relationships, informal gatherings, and a lively coastal town rhythm.
Where
Apulia, Italy
Apulia is a sun-soaked region in southern Italy known for its long coastlines, clear waters, and historic towns. The film uses a beachside holiday as a backdrop for friendships, weddings, and late-night conversations. It captures a festive, coastal atmosphere where summer meets romance.
- 🏖️ Apulia coast
- 🇮🇹 Italy
What Are the Themes of Walking on Sunshine?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Second Chance, Past and Family Bonds.
-
01
Second Chance
Two former lovers are forced to confront unresolved feelings when they meet again at Maddie's wedding. The story explores how time and distance reshape love, but genuine connection can persist. Reconciliation becomes a central arc as Taylor and Raf navigate past mistakes and new commitments. The theme celebrates forgiveness and the courage to choose love again, even when it means rewriting plans.
-
02
Past
Old memories collide with present loyalties as the sisters' past relationship with Raf resurfaces. Taylor's reluctance to rekindle the past clashes with Raf's insistence on honest feelings. The conflict drives emotional tension during the wedding weekend, forcing decisions about honesty and happiness. The theme highlights how memory can both haunt and illuminate current choices.
-
03
Family Bonds
Maddie's wedding becomes a focal point for family dynamics, friendships, and competing loyalties. The group’s close-knit circle reveals hidden desire and supportive bonds, with pregnancies and weddings weaving the future. The rooftop confession and shared songs symbolize connection and collective joy that underpins family.
What Kind of Film Is Walking on Sunshine?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A sunny and upbeat musical romance set in Italy, filled with nostalgic pop songs and a central love triangle that creates playful tension before resolving in a joyous celebration of love and connection.
- sunny
- romantic
- uplifting
- nostalgic
- playful
- conflicted
- love triangle
- sisterhood
- secret past
- musical performance
Quiz
How well do you remember Walking on Sunshine? Test yourself on the story.
