A Simple Plan

A Simple Plan

Year: 1998

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

Director: Sam Raimi

Budget: $30M

DramaThrillerCrime

Three men living ordinary lives in a small town discover a crashed plane containing a substantial amount of money. Faced with the unexpected windfall of millions, they devise a plan to keep the discovery secret. However, as Hank’s sense of morality conflicts with Jacob’s desire for the money and Lou’s opportunistic nature, their initial plan quickly unravels. The situation escalates, causing severe consequences for their relationships and the fabric of their community.

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Timeline & Setting – A Simple Plan (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Simple Plan (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting, amidst the complexities of modern life intertwined with deep moral questions. There are no historical markers, allowing viewers to relate the characters' struggles and choices to contemporary societal issues surrounding greed and consequence.

Location

Wright County, Minnesota

Wright County, located in Minnesota, is characterized by its tranquil countryside and close-knit communities. Known for its serene landscapes and rural charm, it presents a peaceful backdrop that starkly contrasts with the tumultuous events of the story. With its local libraries and small-town vibes, the county embodies a simplicity that is shattered by the dark secrets the characters encounter.

🏞️ Countryside 🏠 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

Main Characters – A Simple Plan (1998)

Meet the key characters of A Simple Plan (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hank Mitchell (Billy Bob Thornton)

Hank Mitchell is a conflicted bookkeeper faced with the temptation of easy money. As the story unfolds, his moral compass becomes increasingly warped, leading him to make desperate and violent decisions. His struggles embody the internal conflict between his desires and the ethical implications of his actions.

🧑‍💻 Protagonist ⚖️ Morally Complex

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah is Hank's supportive but increasingly worried wife, who becomes embroiled in the dark events surrounding the found money. Her apprehension about their decisions highlights her deep-rooted moral beliefs and instinct for survival. As situations escalate, her resilience and intelligence shine, revealing her as a pivotal character in navigating their crisis.

👩‍🏫 Supportive 🍼 Maternal Instinct

Jacob Mitchell

Jacob, Hank's slow-witted older brother, adds complexity to the narrative with his reckless behavior and loyalty. His struggles with morality and impulsivity contribute significantly to the plot's tension. As events spiral out of control, Jacob's character transforms, revealing tragic depths to his loyalty and mental state.

👴 Loyal ⚡ Impulsive

Lou Chambers

Lou is a friend of Hank and Jacob who becomes increasingly desperate for his share of the found money. His transition from a supportive ally to a threatening figure creates an intense atmosphere of distrust and aggression. Lou’s vulnerability and reckless behavior ultimately lead him into a tragic confrontation.

👨‍🤝‍👨 Friend 🔫 Threatening

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

Major Themes – A Simple Plan (1998)

Explore the central themes of A Simple Plan (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed serves as the central theme, illustrating how the allure of wealth can corrupt and destroy relationships and morals. Hank's initial intention to report the found money swiftly devolves into a series of violent actions born from selfish desires. The narrative shows how greed can lead to a catastrophic chain of decisions that haunt the characters, ultimately dismantling their lives.

🔪 Violence

Violence emerges as a consequential theme where the characters' choices lead to irreversible harm. Each act of violence they commit spirals out of control, showcasing the fragility of their humanity under pressure. The film meticulously illustrates how desperation and betrayal can drive individuals to commit horrific acts in the name of survival.

🌀 Moral Dilemma

The characters struggle with moral dilemmas throughout the film, particularly Hank, who faces the consequences of his choices. The tension between right and wrong blurs as decisions are made under duress, presenting a commentary on the human condition when faced with dire situations. This theme underscores the inner conflicts that each character endures as their lives spiral into chaos.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Moral decay and greed stories like A Simple Plan

Stories where a sudden opportunity corrupts ordinary people with devastating consequences.If you liked A Simple Plan, you'll find more movies here about ordinary people whose lives unravel after a moral compromise. These films explore the destructive power of greed, featuring characters who start with a simple plan that leads to betrayal, crime, and profound consequences.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a catalyst—a discovery or offer—that promises to solve all problems. The central conflict is internal, pitting characters' ethics against their desires. The plot then follows a downward spiral, where each attempt to cover up a previous misdeed leads to a worse one, ultimately destroying the very things the characters hoped to gain.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on the theme of greed corrupting average individuals. They create a similar viewing experience of tense, character-driven drama where the audience witnesses a tragic, self-inflicted downfall, often marked by a heavy emotional weight and a bleak outlook on human nature.

Rural noir and small-town crime movies like A Simple Plan

Gritty crime stories set in isolated communities where secrets fester.Explore more films like A Simple Plan that use a rural setting to amplify tension. These movies feature crime stories where the small-town atmosphere creates a claustrophobic feeling of being trapped, with neighbors potentially turning into threats and the landscape hiding dark secrets.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a crime or secret that disrupts the quiet surface of a rural community. The setting is crucial, as geographic isolation limits escape routes and social familiarity means every interaction is loaded with potential suspicion. The story often explores how the crime exposes the hidden tensions and flaws already present beneath the community's peaceful facade.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their use of a rural or small-town setting as a key narrative device. They share a specific mood of atmospheric dread, claustrophobia, and the grim reality of crime occurring not in anonymous cities but in places where everyone knows each other, making the consequences feel more personal and inescapable.

Unlock the Full Story of A Simple Plan

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Simple Plan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Simple Plan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Simple Plan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Simple Plan, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Simple Plan Summary

A Simple Plan Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Simple Plan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Simple Plan Timeline

A Simple Plan Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Simple Plan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Simple Plan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Simple Plan: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Simple Plan

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