How does Bad Timing end?

In the final act ("Collapse and Aftermath"): Milena overdoses and collapses, leading to Alex's subsequent rape of her unconscious body. The investigator reconstructs the timeline, uncovering the truth despite Alex's denial. Milena survives, and the film concludes with a cold, distant encounter in New York that leaves their fate unresolved.

Bad Timing (1980) — AI Story Visualization

Name: Bad Timing
Genre: drama, mystery, thriller
Released: 1980
Rating: 6.6

Plot Analysis Summary

A nonlinear exploration of a toxic romance, psychological obsession, and the aftermath of violence in Cold War Vienna.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Emergency Prelude

The Whirlwind Romance

Obsession and Fracture

Collapse and Aftermath

Alex Linden is a psychiatrist living in Vienna who meets Milena Flaherty though a mutual friend. Though Alex is quite a bit older than Milena, he's attracted to her young, carefree spirit. Despite the fact that Milena is already married, their friendship quickly turns into a deeply passionate love affair that threatens to overtake them both. When Milena ends up in the hospital from an overdose, Alex is taken into custody by Inspector Netusil.

Directed by

Nicolas Roeg

Key Cast

Art Garfunkel — Alex Linden
Theresa Russell — Milena Flaherty
Harvey Keitel — Inspector Netusil
Denholm Elliott — Stefan Vognic
Daniel Massey — Foppish Man

Rating: 6.6/10 (165 votes)