Desperate Measures

Desperate Measures

Year: 1998

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Barbet Schroeder

DramaThrillerActionCrimeHigh speed and special ops

San Francisco officer Frank Connor races to find a bone‑marrow match for his dying son, only to discover the only donor is convicted murderer Peter McCabe. McCabe uses his hospital visit to attempt an escape, turning the facility into a battlefield. Connor must chase the fugitive while protecting him, as McCabe holds his son’s chance for survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Desperate Measures 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 – Desperate Measures (1998)

Trace every key event in Desperate Measures (1998) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Desperation leads to an FBI break-in

Desperate to save his sick son, Frank Conner breaks into FBI headquarters to secure a compatible bone marrow donor. He quickly discovers that the perfect match is Peter McCabe, a convicted killer serving life. This discovery sets off a dangerous sequence of events that pulls McCabe into Conner's mission.

Early in the story FBI Headquarters
2

Peter McCabe: a dangerous inmate

Peter McCabe is a sociopath serving life for multiple murders. His prison history includes attempted escapes and the killing of guards and fellow inmates, making him a high-risk prisoner. He must be kept under strict restraints when moved outside the supermax unit.

Prior to the events Pelican Bay State Prison
3

McCabe seeks a challenge and schemes escape

While imprisoned, McCabe schemes to escape and seeks a challenging opponent. He spends time at chess against a computer, easily defeating the program, and expresses a need for a beefed-up challenge. This shows his calculating mind and appetite for outsmarting those around him.

During confinement Pelican Bay State Prison
4

Transfer to hospital planned for Matt's transplant

Conner, Cassidy, and Dr. Hawkins prepare for McCabe's transfer to a hospital for Matt's bone marrow transplant. They coordinate logistics to ensure the inmate can be medically cared for during and after the procedure. The plan hinges on keeping him alive long enough for the transplant to take place.

Pre-transfer Pelican Bay State Prison / hospital transfer route
5

Sedation fades and McCabe escapes

At the hospital, McCabe is sedated for the transfer. With the help of a counteracting drug obtained from a fellow inmate, he slips out of restraints and launches a violent attack on guards and surgeons. The transfer spirals into chaos as alarms sound throughout the hospital.

During transfer Hospital
6

Tense hospital confrontation over Hawkins

Conner and a fellow officer confront McCabe, but the killer holds a scalpel to Hawkins' throat, forcing Conner to drop his gun. The standoff intensifies as the medical team debates the transplant's viability if McCabe dies. The hospital crew's safety hangs in the balance.

During the confrontation Hospital
7

Cassidy orders Conner out; McCabe takes control

Cassidy immediately orders Conner removed from the scene. Refusing to back down, Conner breaks free to pursue McCabe on his own. McCabe detonates propane tanks, seizes control of the hospital's adjacent wing, and locks down the building.

Immediately after Hospital
8

Conner and Hawkins push forward despite the chaos

Conner and Hawkins reach McCabe by coordinating an inside approach so Hawkins can attend to Matt. McCabe monitors them via security cameras and begins to respect Conner as a devoted father, complicating his plan to escape or harm him.

During the standoff Hospital
9

Matt is abducted to the sub-levels; a grim test

McCabe kidnaps Matt and descends to the hospital's sub-levels. As Matt tries to wound McCabe to aid Conner, McCabe spares him and leaves Matt for Conner to find, turning the situation into a grim game of cat and mouse.

During kidnapping Hospital sub-levels
10

McCabe escapes into the city

McCabe escapes into the city and steals a car. The chase becomes a high-stakes pursuit as Conner follows, determined to keep the killer alive for the transplant and to protect his son.

After kidnapping City streets
11

Bridge chase and sniper fire

The pursuit leads to a bridge where Cassidy's team and a sniper open fire. Conner shields McCabe, taking a gunshot wound to the arm, which complicates the pursuit and raises the stakes for both men.

Climax Bridge
12

Conner wounds McCabe and saves him from the bay

McCabe attempts to flee, but Conner wounds him, sending him into the bay. Conner then dives into the water to rescue him, keeping him alive long enough for the transplant to occur.

Climax Bridge and bay
13

Transplant proceeds; Matt is saved

Back in the hospital, the surgery proceeds and Matt's life is saved. Though Conner's career is over, he is overjoyed that his son will live. The moment marks a hard-won victory amid personal sacrifice.

Ending Hospital
14

Final taunt as the danger lingers

In the final moment, a guard realizes his gun is missing while McCabe remains a looming threat. He casually asks what kind of car the guard has, a chilling reminder that the killer is still calculating and dangerous.

Ending Hospital

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:33

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 Desperate Measures

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

Desperate Measures Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Desperate Measures, 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.

Desperate Measures Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Desperate Measures

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Desperate Measures

Desperate Measures Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Desperate Measures 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.

Desperate Measures Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Desperate Measures

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

Similar Movies to Desperate Measures

Discover movies like Desperate Measures 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.