Capricorn One

Year: 1978

Runtime: 123 min

Language: English

Director: Peter Hyams

ActionAdventureDramaThriller

During the Capricorn One mission to Mars, a critical malfunction forces NASA to consider an unprecedented solution. To prevent widespread panic, the agency stages a false report of the crew's deaths, but one of the astronauts survives and attempts to reveal the deception. A determined journalist investigates the unusual circumstances surrounding the mission, uncovering a complex plot and putting himself and the astronaut in grave danger as they fight to expose the truth.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Capricorn One yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Capricorn One (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Capricorn One (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Desert Military Installation, Houston, Gas Station

The desert military installation serves as the secretive backdrop for the astronauts' coerced deception. Known for its isolation, this setting becomes a prison for the crew as they navigate the moral complexities of their situation. Houston, on the other hand, represents the bustling urban center connected to NASA, symbolizing ambition and exploration in space travel, while the gas station signifies a point of desperation and hope during their escape.

🏜️ Desert 🏢 Military 🌆 Urban

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:58

Main Characters – Capricorn One (1978)

Meet the key characters of Capricorn One (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:58

Major Themes – Capricorn One (1978)

Explore the central themes of Capricorn One (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:58

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

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.

Investigative thrillers about exposing conspiracies like Capricorn One

A lone truth-seeker risks everything to uncover a dangerous conspiracy.If you enjoyed the tense investigation in Capricorn One, you'll like these movies. This section features films about determined individuals uncovering dangerous secrets, with similar high-stakes suspense and fast-paced narratives found in movies like Capricorn One.

suspensefulparanoidurgentanxiousnail-bitinginvestigative

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who stumbles upon or is drawn into a conspiracy. As they dig deeper, they encounter resistance, danger, and paranoia, leading to a climactic confrontation where they must expose the truth before they are silenced.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the investigative process, the feeling of being a small person against a giant system, and the intense paranoia that comes with uncovering secrets that powerful people want to keep hidden.

Man-on-the-run survival thrillers similar to Capricorn One

An innocent protagonist is hunted while trying to prove their innocence.For viewers who liked the desperate fugitive storyline in Capricorn One, this section highlights movies with similar chase-driven plots. These films share the tense, claustrophobic feeling of being hunted and the urgent fight for survival seen in movies like Capricorn One.

claustrophobicurgentnail-bitingmanhuntdesperatesuspenseful

Narrative Summary

After a catastrophic event or discovery, the protagonist becomes the target of a relentless pursuit. The story is a tense cat-and-mouse game, focusing on survival, evasion, and the protagonist's desperate attempts to turn the tables on their pursuers.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core emotional experience: the claustrophobic panic of being hunted, the relentless urgency of a chase, and the high-intensity thrill of a life-or-death game of hide and seek.

Unlock the Full Story of Capricorn One

Don't stop at just watching — explore Capricorn One 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 Capricorn One is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Capricorn One Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Capricorn One, 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.

Capricorn One Timeline

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

Capricorn One Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Capricorn One that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Capricorn One

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

Similar Movies to Capricorn One

Discover movies like Capricorn One that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.