Fast Getaway

Fast Getaway

Year: 1991

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

ComedyActionCrime

Nelson (Corey Haim) is a restless teenager who, together with his father and two comrades, turns to a series of bank robberies. When a high‑stakes heist goes wrong, he must pull off a rapid escape, confronting betrayal and the dangers of a life on the run.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Fast Getaway 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 – Fast Getaway (1991)

Trace every key event in Fast Getaway (1991) 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

Formation of the bank robbery crew and Nelson's role

Sixteen-year-old Nelson Potter works with his father Sam as part of a bank-robbing team. Nelson scouts targets and acts as a hostage to keep their plans in motion. The group's other members include Tony and Lilly, who share a complicated dynamic with Sam.

2

Lilly's bid to cut Nelson out and the confrontation

Lilly attempts to persuade Sam to remove Nelson from the operation so she can have Sam to herself. Sam refuses and insults Lilly, prompting her to attack him when he overhears the insult. Nelson subdues Lilly at gunpoint, ending the partnership.

3

The fallout and going solo

With their partnership dissolved, Tony and Lilly depart to pursue other schemes. Sam and Nelson steal a new getaway car and decide to continue robbing on their own. The dynamic of trust has shifted, but the robbery life continues.

4

Utah bank job and Sam's arrest

The team robs another bank in Utah. Tony and Lilly tip off the police from their hotel across the street, leading to Sam's arrest. Nelson is deemed a runaway as the arrest unfolds, complicating the family's fate.

Utah
5

Lorraine's intervention and Nelson's pickup

After the arrest, Lilly and Tony rush to claim Nelson at the police station. A woman named Lorraine appears, picks up Nelson after learning of the attempted heist on television, and evades the pursuing criminals in a high-speed chase.

6

Lorraine's truth and the jailbreak

Lorraine drives and helps Nelson to retrieve Sam from jail, pulling off a daring escape. Sam reveals to Nelson that Lorraine is his biological mother, who had lied about her death to keep him with Sam. Nelson feels betrayed and questions what he can trust about his family.

7

Confrontation with Nelson's kidnapping

The next evening, Tony and Lilly track Lorraine at her workplace and follow her home, where they kidnap Nelson. Sam and Lorraine are left chasing shadows as the trap tightens around them.

next evening
8

Targeting the Salt Lake City Amphitheater

Using Nelson's maps and resources, Sam and Lorraine deduce that the next target is the Salt Lake City Amphitheater, not a bank. Tony and Lilly have already robbed the venue by using Nelson as a hostage in a vest loaded with dynamite. The race to stop them becomes a fight for the lives of all involved.

Salt Lake City Amphitheater
9

Hostage-vehicle chase

Tony and Lilly force Nelson into the back of a pickup truck at gunpoint and attempt to escape with Sam and Lorraine in pursuit. Lilly attacks Nelson, throwing him from the truck and leaving him dangling on a strip of chain-link fencing.

10

Sam's counterattack and the bomb transfer

Sam climbs onto the moving truck, knocks Lilly off, and regains control of the situation. He helps Nelson remove the explosive device from Nelson's vest and plants it in the truck, buying time for a possible rescue. The tense chase continues toward a cliff and a potential explosion.

on the road
11

Final crash and Tony's fate

As Tony tries to run Sam over, Lorraine rams the truck with her car, sending it tumbling off a cliff and into an explosion. Tony survives, dangling from the cliff while the others escape with injuries and relief.

cliffside road
12

Epilogue: road trip to Canada

Sometime later, Sam, Nelson, and Lorraine embark on a road trip to Canada, joking about their next bank robbery. They have formed a makeshift family and plan to face the future together, away from their former life.

sometime later Canada

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:53

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.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

Fun Heist Movies like Fast Getaway

High-stakes capers driven by quirky teams and playful energy.If you enjoyed the lighthearted action and comedic capers of Fast Getaway, you'll love these movies. This list features fast-paced heist adventures and crime comedies with charismatic crews, exciting getaways, and a playful vibe that keeps the stakes high but the mood fun.

action-packedcomedichigh-stakesteam-drivenfast-pacedrebelliousclever

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a team of lovable rogues or an unconventional family unit as they plan and execute a high-risk job. The plot is often driven by a series of escalating complications, double-crosses, and daring escapes, but the tone remains light, ensuring the consequences feel thrilling rather than grim.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique blend of action-packed heist mechanics with a comedic, light-toned approach. They share a focus on team dynamics, fast pacing, and a sense of fun that makes the criminal activity feel like an adventurous game rather than a serious drama.

Movies about Criminal Families like Fast Getaway

Families who pull jobs together, stick together through chaos.Fans of the father-son dynamic and family-centric crime in Fast Getaway will find more to love here. Explore movies about outlaw families, heists gone wrong that test loyalties, and action-packed journeys where the greatest treasure is staying together.

family-centricrebelliouson the runloyalaction-packedredemptivechaotic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a tight-knit, often dysfunctional, family unit whose livelihood is crime. A job inevitably goes awry, forcing them on the run and testing their relationships. The journey becomes one of redemption and reaffirming family bonds against external threats and internal betrayals.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core focus on family relationships set against a backdrop of action and crime. They balance thrilling sequences with character-driven drama about loyalty, making the stakes deeply personal. The tone is often energetic and rebellious, with a feel-good resolution for the family unit.

Unlock the Full Story of Fast Getaway

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

Fast Getaway Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Fast Getaway, 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.

Fast Getaway Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fast Getaway

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fast Getaway

Fast Getaway Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Fast Getaway 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.

Fast Getaway Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Fast Getaway

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

Similar Movies to Fast Getaway

Discover movies like Fast Getaway 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.