Contraband

Year: 2012

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Budget: $25M

Thriller

A former smuggler, Chris Farraday, is pulled back into a dangerous life when his brother-in-law’s failed deal leaves him owing a powerful crime boss. To settle the debt, Farraday must orchestrate a risky operation to recover millions in counterfeit money within Panama’s perilous underworld. He assembles a skilled crew and races against time, attempting to evade ruthless drug lords, corrupt law enforcement, and deadly assassins while protecting his family from harm.

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Timeline – Contraband (2012)

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Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:35

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Desperate Criminals in Over Their Heads like in Contraband

Ordinary people forced into high-stakes criminal operations to save what they love.Fans of high-stakes thrillers like Contraband will find more movies featuring ordinary people who must execute daring criminal operations against their will. These stories share a tense, urgent energy where the protagonist is driven by a need to protect their family or survival, leading to intense confrontations with ruthless enemies.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a capable but reluctant protagonist who is pulled back into a life they left behind due to an immediate, external threat—often involving a debt or a loved one in danger. They must assemble a team and execute a complex, illegal plan under extreme pressure, facing constant setbacks, betrayals, and escalating violence, culminating in a final, desperate attempt to secure their freedom.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of a high-pressure criminal undertaking born from desperation rather than ambition. They share a specific emotional mix of urgency, family-driven stakes, tense action, and the constant threat of catastrophic failure, creating a uniquely gripping and anxious viewing experience.

High-Stakes Smuggling Thrillers like Contraband

Tense thrillers that delve into the risky mechanics and dangers of illicit transport.If you enjoyed the tense smuggling operation and criminal underworld logistics in Contraband, explore more movies that dive deep into the dangerous world of moving contraband. These films feature detailed heist-like planning, double-crosses, and a gritty, realistic portrayal of the pressures faced by those operating outside the law.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread are driven by a central logistical challenge: moving valuable or dangerous goods through heavily monitored or hostile territory. The plot revolves around assembling a crew, navigating corrupt officials and rival criminals, and dealing with unforeseen complications that threaten to unravel the entire operation. The climax often hinges on a final, dangerous exchange or escape.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the mechanics and inherent tension of smuggling operations. They create a specific, claustrophobic mood where success depends on precision and nerve, and failure means fatal consequences, appealing to viewers who enjoy process-driven crime stories with a gritty, realistic edge.

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Contraband Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Contraband

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Contraband Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Contraband

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