Derailed

Charles Schine, an advertising executive, struggles with his crumbling marriage and the pressures of his daughter's diabetes. The constant worry about his daughter's costly medication adds to the strain at home, creating a sense of desperation in his life.

While commuting, Charles encounters Lucinda Harris, a captivating married financial adviser. Their attraction is instantaneous, sparking a deep connection that will lead to a series of secret meetings.

Charles and Lucinda commence an affair, meeting regularly despite the risks involved. Their relationship quickly intensifies as they indulge in stolen moments away from their spouses.

The affair takes a dark turn when an armed intruder, Philippe LaRoche, bursts into their rendezvous. The attack leaves Lucinda assaulted and Charles severely battered, marking a point of no return for Charles.

In a desperate attempt to shield their spouses from the truth, Charles and Lucinda agree to remain silent about the violent incident. Their decision sets off a chain reaction of fear and blackmail.

Philippe LaRoche starts blackmailing Charles, initially demanding $20,000. As the pressure mounts, the ransom escalates to $100,000, heightening Charles's desperation as he fears for his family's safety.

Desperate for solutions, Charles confides in Winston Boyko, an ex-con who offers to intimidate LaRoche for a fee. Feeling trapped, Charles embezzles $10,000 from work to pay for Winston's help.

Winston is brutally murdered by LaRoche, leaving Charles in a precarious position. The murder triggers a police investigation led by Detective Franklin Church, intensifying the stakes for Charles.

LaRoche reaches out to Charles, revealing that he has taken Lucinda hostage and demands the remaining ransom. In a heart-wrenching decision, Charles sacrifices funds meant for his daughter's medication to save her.

Charles learns that the woman he was involved with, who resembled Lucinda, was actually named Jane, a lookalike temp. Frustrated and feeling betrayed, he tracks Jane down in a compromising situation with LaRoche.

In a tense showdown, Charles confronts Jane and her associates at a hotel aiming to retrieve his stolen money. The confrontation escalates into a shootout, where Charles tragically emerges as the only survivor.

Despite retrieving his money, Charles faces legal repercussions for the embezzlement he committed. He is sentenced to six months of community service, reflecting the price he pays for his decisions.

During his community service, Charles encounters a narrative about himself, echoing the film's opening. This narrative leads him to a shocking discovery that brings his tumultuous journey full circle.

In a climactic return, Charles confronts LaRoche, who survived their earlier encounter. Their confrontation culminates in LaRoche's death, bringing closure to Charles's torment.

As Charles steps back into the outside world, he encounters Detective Church once more. Although Church harbors suspicions, he allows Charles to reunite with his family, marking a new chapter in Charles's life forever altered by his choices.