Carter

Carter

Year: 2022

Runtime: 132 min

Language: Korean

Director: Byung-gil Jung

ActionThriller

A deadly pandemic has devastated the world, and Carter awakens with amnesia, a device implanted in his mind, and a bomb ticking in his mouth. Guided by mysterious instructions, he embarks on a perilous mission to retrieve the only antidote to the virus. His desperate quest takes him through dangerous territory, forcing him to confront ruthless enemies on both sides of the DMZ while struggling to uncover his forgotten past.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Carter (2022) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Carter (2022), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the midst of a deadly pandemic triggered by a violent and zombie-like virus that has already devastated the United States and North Korea—with 150K infected and 30K dead in the U.S. and a staggering 8.5 million infected in North Korea—a man awakens in a blood-soaked motel room in Seoul. He discovers a cross-shaped scar on the back of his head, yet he has no recollection of who he is or why he is there. His solitude is shattered when armed CIA agents burst in, demanding to know the whereabouts of Dr. Jung Byung-ho (Jung Jae-young), who has been missing for 19 days along with his daughter while attempting to reach North Korea.

Confused and frightened, the man learns from a mysterious feminine voice within his ear that his name is Carter (Joo Won). To survive, he must heed her instructions. Guided by this disembodied voice, he escapes the motel and confronts countless attackers in a public bath, showcasing impressive combat skills that help him prevail against overwhelming odds.

Inside a van filled with NIS agents led by Choi Yu-Jin (Byeon Seo-Yun), Carter learns that the voice belongs to Han Jung-Hee (So-ri Jung), a member of North Korea’s Labor Party. This group is collaborating with South Korea on developing a treatment for the rampant virus. The project revolves around an antibody derived from the infected daughter of Dr. Jung, known as Ha-Na (Kim Bo-Min). Following the revelation that Ha-Na and her father may have been kidnapped by the CIA—a plot that North Korea blames on South Korea—Carter’s mission becomes clear: he must rescue Ha-Na and return her to North Korea for the vaccine production.

As Carter grapples with his identity and the mission’s stakes, he learns that he was a naturalized North Korean citizen who fell in love with a North Korean woman and volunteered for this mission to save his own child. Unfortunately, he uncovers that the CIA believes he is actually Michael Bane, a supposed operative who died during a mission in Syria. Danger intensifies when Carter’s molar is tracked by the CIA, leading to a scene where Jung-Hee warns him that it’s rigged to explode, providing a narrow window for escape.

The political tension escalates as news reports claim that Dr. Jung Byung-ho has reached the North Korean facility. When Agent Agnes (Camilla Belle) approaches Carter under the guise of promoting trust, her warning ends in tragedy as she is shot. As Ha-Na is taken prisoner by the CIA, Choi Yu-Jin faces fatal consequences attempting to rescue her. In a race against time, Carter fights back and finally manages to reach Ha-Na, using Agnes’s earpiece to learn that his identity as Michael Bane has been exposed.

With both urgency and resilience, Carter is guided to an airstrip where he must contend with pilots infected by the virus. When treachery leads to a shootout, Carter learns that a North Korean medic working for the CIA intended to betray him and Ha-Na. In a gripping confrontation, Carter leaps into action just as chaos erupts with infected pilots attacking the crew and passengers. He evades the carnage and secures Ha-Na, but their troubles are far from over.

Upon arrival in North Korea, Carter and Ha-Na are met by General Kim Jong-Hyeok (Sung-Jae Lee) and his forces, where a coup begins to unravel. As betrayal takes hold, General Kim seeks to exploit the situation, preventing their escape and aiming to utilize the virus against South Korea and the U.S. Carter’s resolve grows as he dodges assassination attempts, learning that Jung-Hee is his wife while battling through conflict alongside Dr. Jung to rescue their daughter Yoon-Hee.

In a heart-stopping sequence, Carter, Jung-Hee, and Dr. Jung, along with Ha-Na, barely escape a facility under siege, making their way towards a train that’s transporting infected individuals. With a critical decision to stop the train or risk a global outbreak, the stakes heighten. As they face relentless pursuit, Carter finally regains his memories - revealing he had willingly blocked them to protect his family who were imprisoned due to his former CIA alignment.

As the narrative unfolds, the tension culminates in a fierce battle aboard the train against North Korean soldiers. In the climactic moments, General Kim resurfaces, leading an assault against them. But amidst the uproar, Yoon-Hee awakens, seemingly cured of infection. In a final showdown, Carter successfully eliminates General Kim, only for the train to face disaster as an explosion takes place at a critical juncture, leaving everyone questioning the extent of survival amidst the chaos.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:52

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Carter?

Still wondering what the ending of Carter (2022) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

Carter begins the story with no memory of who he is, waking up in an unfamiliar place, guided by a mysterious voice that seems to control him. As the film unfolds, we learn that Carter is actually a former CIA agent named Michael Bane, who had his memory erased after being involved in dangerous missions. His current mission is to find and rescue his daughter, Ha-na, who is infected with the deadly DMZ virus that turns people into aggressive, superpowered beings. He’s been told that Ha-na has only 13 days before she succumbs to the virus, and her only hope is to produce an antidote from her blood. Throughout the film, Carter fights against powerful enemies, including CIA agents and North Korean soldiers, trying to protect Ha-na and uncover his true identity.

In the climax, Carter reunites with Ha-na and her mother, Han Jung Hee, revealing that he is indeed Michael Bane. However, he is led to believe that his memory will be restored fully once his mission is completed. But the local North Korean leader, Kim Jong Hyeok, who has secretly orchestrated a coup, betrays Carter, denying him his memories and attempting to eliminate him. Carter fights through these enemies, killing Kim Jong Hyeok and many soldiers, and finally escapes with his family. They flee on a train, but chaos erupts with an explosion that leaves everyone uncertain about the true state of things. The post-credits scene hints that Carter’s memory might still be compromised or manipulated, as he questions the authenticity of his recovered memories and suspects a shadowy conspiracy. This ending leaves open the possibility that Carter might not be who he thinks he is, and sets the stage for a potential sequel centered on uncovering the true story behind his identity and the larger conspiracy at play. Ultimately, Carter’s journey ends with him fighting for his family and questioning the reality of his past, suggesting that the truth is still out there, hidden in the shadows.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

Unlock the Full Story of Carter

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

Carter Timeline

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

Carter Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Carter

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Carter. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Carter

Carter Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Carter? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Carter Ending Explained

More About Carter

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Carter: 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 Carter

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