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.

At Close Range (1986) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at At Close Range (1986) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet, rolling hills of rural Pennsylvania, the Whitewood family sits at the crossroads of tradition and a shadowed legacy. Their farmstead, tucked among weather‑worn barns and endless fields, feels both timeless and uneasy, as if the land itself remembers the whispered stories of past transgressions. The atmosphere hums with a low, persistent tension, a sense that beneath the surface of everyday life there lies a network of loyalties and expectations that can be as binding as any chain.

At the heart of this world stand two brothers navigating it in very different ways. Brad Whitewood Jr. is a restless youth, haunted by a yearning for purpose that clashes with the weight of his surname. His older sibling, Tommy, shares the family blood but carries his own brand of stoic resolve, often acting as a silent counterpoint to his brother’s impulsive nature. Their father, Brad Whitewood Sr., looms large—a man whose reputation for quiet authority masks an intricate involvement in the region’s underbelly. As the brothers step closer to the world their father commands, they grapple with the pull between familial duty and the desire to forge their own paths.

Amidst this tangled dynamic emerges Terry, a bright, determined presence who brings a fragile glimpse of hope and normalcy to the brothers’ lives. Her relationship with Brad Whitewood Jr. offers a tentative escape from the looming expectations of the family name, hinting at possibilities beyond the hardened routines of the Whitewood legacy. The film’s tone balances stark, atmospheric visuals with an undercurrent of unease, inviting viewers to linger on the quiet moments before the inevitable storm. It is a story of lineage, choice, and the quiet battles fought in the shadows of a seemingly ordinary countryside.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:07

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Crime Family Tragedies like At Close Range

Stories about dysfunctional families destroyed by their own criminal enterprises.If you were gripped by the tragic family dynamics in At Close Range, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar crime stories centered on dysfunctional families, where the pursuit of power leads to betrayal and devastating emotional consequences.

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Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the fatal intersection of family and crime. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a tragic arc where the family structure is ultimately the source of destruction, not salvation.

Harrowing Descents into Darkness like At Close Range

Gritty journeys where characters are steadily consumed by a brutal world.For viewers who appreciated the gritty, oppressive atmosphere and steady build of tension in At Close Range, this list curates similar movies with a harrowing descent narrative. These films share a dark tone, high intensity, and a feeling of being trapped in a situation spiraling towards tragedy.

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Narrative Summary

These stories unfold with a deliberate, steady pace, avoiding frantic action in favor of building suspense and dread. The protagonist's journey is a downward spiral, often into a criminal underworld or a psychologically damaging situation. The plot focuses on the gradual loss of innocence, safety, and hope, culminating in a conclusion that reinforces the destructive power of the world they've entered.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific vibe: a combination of gritty realism, steady pacing that builds unease, high emotional intensity, and a overwhelmingly dark tone. The viewing experience is defined by a feeling of witnessing an inescapable tragedy unfold.

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At Close Range Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in At Close Range

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More About At Close Range

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