Crime Wave

Year: 1953

Runtime: 73 mins

Language: English

Director: André De Toth

ThrillerCrime

Amid a citywide explosion that leaves the streets in chaos, reformed parolee Steve Lacey finds himself caught between old loyalties. A wounded former cellmate appears seeking refuge, while the two other ex‑inmates pressure Steve to take part in a daring bank robbery, forcing him to choose between safety and his past.

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Timeline & Setting – Crime Wave (1953)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Crime Wave (1953). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

The film unfolds in a mid-20th-century American city during the postwar era, a time of rapid modernization and rising crime in city streets. Its noir atmosphere is reinforced by fast-paced investigations, trench-coated detectives, and the looming threat of ex-convicts returning to crime. The 1950s setting shapes police tactics and the social dynamics of rehabilitation and moral choice. The era’s sense of public order and personal obligation underpins the film’s tense cat-and-mouse plot.

Location

San Quentin, Steve Lacey's apartment, Dr. Hessler's veterinary hospital, a city bank, police headquarters, City Hall

San Quentin serves as the prison backdrop that shapes the criminals' motives and the relentless manhunt. The action moves through the couple's apartment, a veterinary hospital, a busy city bank, and the police HQ, showing how public spaces intersect with private fear. These settings reflect a noir world where routine life collides with sudden crime, forcing ordinary people to confront moral danger. The mix of prison, home, and public institutions highlights the tension between rehabilitation and relapse.

🔒 Prison and parole 🏙 Urban setting 🕵️‍♂️ Police procedure 🏛 Institutions

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:18

Main Characters – Crime Wave (1953)

Meet the key characters of Crime Wave (1953), 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 04, 2025 at 14:18

Major Themes – Crime Wave (1953)

Explore the central themes of Crime Wave (1953), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:18

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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.

Classic 'Wrong-Man' Noir Thrillers like Crime Wave

Innocent men hunted by both criminals and a cynical justice system.Discover movies like Crime Wave where an innocent or reformed protagonist is wrongly accused, forcing them into a desperate fight for survival against both criminals and the law. These tense thrillers share a fast-paced, high-stakes narrative that keeps viewers on edge.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple but effective pattern: a life is upended by a false implication, forcing the protagonist to navigate a dangerous world of crime while evading a justice system that assumes their guilt. The journey is a frantic, action-driven scramble to uncover the truth before time runs out.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared core conflict—the 'wrong man' scenario—which creates immediate, high-stakes tension. They feature a fast pace, a cynical view of authority, and a constant sense of being trapped, resulting in a cohesive experience of suspenseful, noir-inflected thrills.

Moral Dilemma Crime Dramas like Crime Wave

Characters forced to choose between safety and dangerous loyalties.If you liked the ethical conflict in Crime Wave, explore these films where characters face intense pressure to betray their new life for old loyalties. These dramas focus on the heavy cost of redemption and the difficult choices made under duress.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds as a character, often a reformed individual, is confronted by figures from their past who drag them back into a world of crime. The core conflict is internal, a battle of conscience played out amidst high-pressure situations, leading to an ending that weighs the consequences of their ultimate choice.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films by their shared focus on a protagonist's intense moral quandary. The similarity lies in the emotional weight of the decision-making process, the pressure-cooker atmosphere, and the exploration of whether people can truly escape their past, resulting in a thematically coherent and gripping experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Crime Wave

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

Crime Wave Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Crime Wave, 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.

Crime Wave Timeline

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

Crime Wave Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Crime Wave 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 Crime Wave

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

Discover movies like Crime Wave 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.