Year: 2013
Runtime: 98 min
Language: English
Director: John Moore
Budget: $92M
John McClane travels to Moscow to help his estranged son, Jack, who is working undercover. When a dangerous situation arises, they must overcome their differences and work together. As they navigate the city, they race against the clock to protect a Russian whistleblower and prevent a catastrophic crime from unfolding near Chernobyl. McClane’s resilience and Jack’s risky mission create a tense and action-packed dynamic.
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In the heart of Moscow, Russia, corrupt politician Viktor Chagarin (played by Sergei Kolesnikov) devises a ruthless plan to frame political prisoner Yuri Komarov (portrayed by Sebastian Koch), a former billionaire-turned-whistleblower. This nefarious scheme arises when Komarov declines to surrender a secret file containing incriminating evidence against Chagarin. Meanwhile, Jack McClane (played by Jai Courtney) finds himself embroiled in a separate incident, leading to his arrest for an assassination. However, he offers to testify against Komarov in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Enter John McClane (Bruce Willis), who, despite years of estrangement, rushes to Russia upon learning of his son’s predicament. As he approaches the courthouse where Jack and Komarov are being tried, chaos erupts when Chagarin’s henchmen orchestrate a violent explosion, allowing Jack and Komarov to escape. A tense reunion occurs, abruptly interrupted by the pursuit of Chagarin’s goons, led by Alik (Radivoje Bukvic). Despite the turmoil, John makes a daring move using a stolen SUV to aid their getaway. After a tense moment, Jack decides to backtrack and ensure his father’s safety.
Initially meant to be extracted by the CIA, Jack and Komarov find themselves diverted to a safe house after a delay caused by John’s interference. In this hideout, John learns that Jack has been operating undercover for the CIA. As Collins (played by Cole Hauser), Jack’s partner, demands the location of the file, Komarov suggests they retrieve it in exchange for safe passage for himself and his daughter Irina (Yuliya Snigir) out of Russia. The file, located in a vault, requires a key that can be found at a local hotel.
Tragedy strikes as Collins falls victim to Chagarin’s men, but McClane, Jack, and Komarov manage to escape amidst gunfire. Determined, they head to the hotel to find the key. There, they unexpectedly encounter Irina, but John’s skepticism is validated when Irina betrays them, revealing her ulterior motives for money. In a thrilling turn, Jack frees himself, leading a bloody confrontation where they manage to fend off the attackers. Irina, however, successfully abducts Komarov and escapes via helicopter.
As tensions rise, Irina’s treachery unfolds, unveiling a deeper conspiracy tied to the Chernobyl nuclear plant, where Chagarin and Komarov originally collaborated to siphon weapons-grade uranium, resulting in disaster. Jack and John, aware of Chagarin’s dark past, set off to Chernobyl, eager to uncover the truth. Upon arrival, they discover that Komarov has cleverly orchestrated events to seize the uranium for revenge.
The stakes escalate dramatically when McClane and Jack confront Komarov and Irina in a thrilling climax. With danger closing in from every angle, they engage in an intense showdown. Jack’s fury peaks when he faces Komarov, who revels in the chaos he’s created. In a final confrontation, Jack dispatches Komarov, but Irina’s desire for vengeance leads her to a deadly confrontation with the duo. As the helicopter crashes in a fiery explosion, John and Jack’s narrow escape signifies the resolution of their strained relationship.
Ultimately, father and son return to New York, where they rekindle their bonds with Jack’s sister Lucy (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead), bringing a bittersweet closure to their harrowing ordeal.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 12:43
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Estranged fathers and sons forced to reconcile amidst explosive, life-threatening danger.If you liked the father-son dynamic in A Good Day to Die Hard, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features similar stories where estranged fathers and sons must overcome their differences during high-stakes action, crime, or thriller plots. Find more movies with explosive set pieces and emotional reconciliations.
These stories typically begin with a fractured relationship between a father and son, often due to past neglect or differing life paths. A sudden, high-stakes crisis—such as a criminal conspiracy or a kidnapping—forces them together. The narrative unfolds through a series of escalating action sequences where they must rely on each other to survive, leading to a resolution that mends their bond.
Movies are grouped here based on their core combination of a strained paternal relationship and a high-intensity action plot. They share a similar emotional arc of reconciliation under pressure, a tense and fast-paced tone, and a focus on teamwork and survival against overwhelming odds.
Frantic, high-stakes missions to prevent a nuclear catastrophe against all odds.For viewers who enjoyed the nuclear threat and frantic pacing of A Good Day to Die Hard, this list gathers similar movies. Discover other action-packed thrillers where heroes race against time to prevent a catastrophic nuclear event, filled with car chases, betrayals, and explosive set pieces.
The plot is a straightforward race against time, often initiated by a betrayal or the discovery of a hidden conspiracy. The protagonists, frequently outnumbered and outgunned, must navigate a series of elaborate action sequences—car chases, shootouts, and infiltrations—to reach the epicenter of the threat before a literal or figurative clock runs out.
These films are grouped by their shared core premise of a nuclear threat, the relentless pacing of a countdown plot, and the high intensity of non-stop action. They create a specific vibe of global stakes combined with personal desperation, making the action feel particularly urgent and consequential.
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