Cornered

Cornered

Year: 1945

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Edward Dmytryk

ThrillerThrillers and murder mysteriesNoir and dark crime dramasExciting spy thrillers with tense intrigueIntriguing and suspenseful murder mysteries

A World War II veteran hunts down the Nazi collaborators who killed his wife.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cornered 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 – Cornered (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Cornered (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Post-World War II, late 1940s

The story is set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, a period marked by political tension, espionage, and the lingering shadow of collaboration. Gerard’s pursuit is framed by a world rebuilding itself while Nazi remnants and secret networks still loom. The international journey from Europe to South America reflects the era’s transatlantic reach of crime and power.

Location

France, Buenos Aires

The action unfolds largely in postwar France, with Gerard returning home to uncover the truth behind his bride’s murder. The investigation then ventures to Buenos Aires, highlighting an international web of crime and influence. Key scenes dwell in upscale hotels and lavish social gatherings that showcase a cosmopolitan, noir atmosphere.

❄️ Post-war France 🗺️ Europe 🏨 Hotel and social scenes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:49

Main Characters – Cornered (1945)

Meet the key characters of Cornered (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Laurence Gerard (Dick Powell)

A Canadian RCAF veteran and former POW returns to France to uncover who ordered his bride's murder. He is methodical, wary, and driven by a personal vendetta, using careful deduction to pierce layers of deception. His resolve keeps him pursuing the truth even when danger mounts and loyalties blur.

🎖️ Veteran 🕵️ Detective 💔 Grieving 🇨🇦 Canadian

Madame Jarnac (Micheline Cheirel)

Widow of a man linked to a secret Nazi network, she is paid to act as the wife of a man she has never met. Her demeanor blends charm and calculation as she navigates the social circle around Tomas Camargo. Her cooperation and evasive answers keep Gerard guessing about her true role.

💃 Socialite 💡 Deception 🕸️ Intrigue

Marcel Jarnac (Luther Adler)

A cunning figure tied to the Nazi organization, Jarnac operates with anonymity and intent. He remains a phantom presence for much of the story, guiding events from the shadows. His eventual appearance crystallizes the stakes of the conspiracy Gerard is chasing.

🏛️ Power broker 🕶️ Espionage

Tomas Camargo (Steven Geray)

A wealthy businessman hosting high-society gatherings that Gerard infiltrates to reach the truth. He sits at the nexus of the social circle and the criminal network, with his extended family ties complicating Gerard’s investigation.

💼 Wealth 🕊️ Socialite

Manuel Satana (Morris Carnovsky)

A lawyer who navigates the murky ethics of postwar intrigue. He urges Gerard to desist but also acts as a foil to Jarnac’s machinations, helping to steer the investigation toward the broader conspiracy.

⚖️ Law 🕵️‍♂️ Intrigue

Melchior Incza (Walter Slezak)

A mysterious figure who seems to know too much about Gerard. He pursues leverage over the dossier and is implicated in violent acts, including the killing of Diego. His duplicity drives the suspense and ultimately leads to a violent confrontation.

🕯️ Deception 🗝️ Intrigue

Diego (Jack La Rue)

A hotel valet whose seemingly innocuous routine hides a role within the network. His late-night tidying foreshadows the danger within the hotel and foils Gerard’s plans, though he is ultimately killed by Incza.

🗝️ Servant 🗡️ Betrayal

Señora Camargo (Nina Vale)

Camargo’s wife, used as a lure to manipulate Gerard. She embodies the seduction and distraction tactics employed by the conspirators to keep Gerard off-balance. Her appearances emphasize the glamour and danger of the social world he infiltrates.

💃 Socialite 🗝️ Seduction

DuBois, Insurance Man (Edgar Barrier)

An insurance man involved in the network, operating under an alias. He encounters Gerard as part of the web of deception surrounding Jarnac and the dossier. His role marks the intersection of finance, crime, and cover stories in the plot.

💼 Occupation 🕵️‍♂️ Intrigue

M. Trabeau, First Prefect (Jean Del Val)

A governmental figure connected to the investigation, representing the official side of postwar concerns. His presence signals the pressures of authority as the case unfolds.

🏛️ Authority 🧭 Bureaucracy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:49

Major Themes – Cornered (1945)

Explore the central themes of Cornered (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Mystery

A central thread follows Gerard as he hunts for a hidden dossier and the real identity of Jarnac. The plot hinges on misdirection, forged documents, and shifting loyalties. Tension builds through cat-and-mouse encounters in luxurious settings and crowded social scenes. Clues repeatedly lead to new questions, typical of noir mysteries.

🎭 Deception

Faces and motives constantly disguise the truth: Madame Jarnac plays a manufactured role as a wife she has never met, while others conceal their connections to a Nazi network. The forged envelopes and staged encounters blur truth and appearance. Characters maneuver to protect secrets and expose others, driving the suspense forward. The line between ally and antagonist is never clear until the climactic confrontation.

🧭 Conspiracy

The plot reveals a web of collaboration and Nazi ties weaving through high society. Money and influence are used to shield operatives and obscure the dossier. As Gerard closes in, the conspiracy expands beyond France to Argentina, illustrating how power can transcend borders. The finale hinges on assembling disparate pieces into a damning, publishable truth.

💔 Loyalty

Personal loyalties are tested as Gerard grapples with love, memory, and duty. His commitment to uncovering the killer sustains him through betrayals and dangerous encounters. Meanwhile, others weigh personal gain against justice, highlighting the moral cost of pursuing the truth. The resolution reframes notions of loyalty in the harrowing wake of war.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:49

Mobile App Preview

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.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Cornered

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

Cornered Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cornered, 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.

Cornered Summary

Cornered Timeline

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

Cornered Timeline

More About Cornered

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

Similar Movies to Cornered

Discover movies like Cornered 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.