At Close Range

Year: 1986

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: James Foley

DramaCrime

In rural Pennsylvania, the Whitewood family grapples with a dark legacy. Brothers Brad Jr. and Tommy find themselves drawn into their father’s criminal underworld, embracing a life of organized crime. As they navigate the dangerous consequences of their actions, they discover their father's ruthless determination to protect his own freedom, forcing them to confront a chilling truth about their family.

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At Close Range (1986) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of At Close Range (1986), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a landscape where crime weaves its way into the fabric of life, Brad Whitewood Sr., a seasoned criminal and the head of his family’s gang, oversees a stronghold of rural wrongdoers. When his son, Brad Whitewood Jr. (/actor/sean-penn), a troubled teenager grappling with despair, succumbs to his father’s influence, the groundwork for corruption is laid. Initially drawn by a need for excitement and the allure of financial gain, Jr. teams up with his brother Tommy (/actor/chris-penn) to move stolen goods through Sr.’s vast criminal web. However, as his romance with 16-year-old Terry develops, Jr. finds himself ensnared in a treacherous cycle of lies and violence, ultimately striving to escape the damaging grip of his father’s gang after witnessing an outrageous act of murder.

As the tension escalates, Jr.’s situation spirals into chaos when he and his gang are caught in the act of stealing tractors. Pressured by both the FBI and local law enforcement to testify against his father’s illegal operations, Jr. finds himself behind bars. Meanwhile, Sr. grows increasingly paranoid, believing that Terry poses a significant risk to his criminal activities. Viewing her as a potential informant, he embarks on a sinister scheme to undermine their relationship by preying on Terry’s vulnerabilities, using a deadly mix of drugs and intimidation.

The fallout from Sr.’s manipulations is catastrophic; Jr.’s acquaintances, including Lucas, Aggie, and Tommy, are brutally eliminated one by one. As the casualties mount, Jr. and Terry devise a precarious escape plan to Montana, but fate has other designs, resulting in Terry’s tragic death and Jr. sustaining severe injuries. In a harrowing confrontation with his father, Jr. stands armed with Sr.’s own weapon, prepared to exact retribution. Yet, in a profound moment of introspection, he ultimately chooses a different path, opting to testify against his father. As he takes the stand during Sr.’s trial, the chilling reality of his father’s criminal empire unfolds for all to witness, forever changing their lives.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 18:23

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The narrative typically follows a character, often a younger family member, who is seduced by the perceived power and wealth of the family business. This initial allure gives way to a harsh reality of paranoia, manipulation, and violence, culminating in an irreversible rupture—often through betrayal or murder—that shatters the family unit, leaving survivors emotionally broken.

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