Fire with Fire

Fire with Fire

Year: 2012

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: David Barrett

ThrillerCrimeDramaActionCrime

When a fireman is ordered to testify against a man involved in a convenience store robbery, he finds himself in a dangerous situation. The man threatens him, leading the fireman to take matters into his own hands. Seeking revenge, he embarks on a perilous course of action, where the rules of justice become blurred and the consequences are severe.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Fire with Fire (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Fire with Fire (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Long Beach, California, New Orleans, Louisiana

Long Beach, California is the starting setting, a busy coastal city with a strong fire department presence where Coleman works as a firefighter. The urban streets and harbor backdrop frame the tense night that changes his life. After the crime erupts, he is relocated to New Orleans, introducing a new locale with its own dangers and atmosphere.

🧭 Urban crime 🌊 Coastal city

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

Main Characters – Fire with Fire (2012)

Meet the key characters of Fire with Fire (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jeremy Coleman (Josh Duhamel)

A dedicated firefighter whose life is upended by a brutal Aryan Brotherhood attack that kills the store owner and his son. He becomes consumed by a desire for revenge and, at times, contemplates dangerous actions outside the law. His resolve collides with the realities of witness protection, risk, and the consequences of vengeance.

🧯 Firefighter ⚔️ Vigilante

Mike Cella (Bruce Willis)

A detective whose partner was murdered by Hagan in a prior case, fueling his drive to bring Hagan to justice. He is cautious and principled, torn between duty and his personal enmity toward the crime boss. His stance contrasts with Coleman’s impulsive pursuit.

🕵️ Detective ⚖️ Duty vs Revenge

Talia Durham (Rosario Dawson)

A Deputy U.S. Marshal assigned to Coleman’s case, she becomes his ally and a romantic interest. She faces danger alongside him and provides emotional support while navigating professional boundaries. Her presence anchors Coleman as he weighs his choices amid threats.

❤️ Romance 🛡️ Ally

Neil Hagan (Vincent D'Onofrio)

Aryan Brotherhood crime boss who drives the conflict; he relies on fear and coordinated violence to expand power. He is cunning and dangerous, using legal maneuvering and hitmen to keep Coleman at bay. His threats push Coleman toward drastic actions.

🗡️ Villain 🧠 Mastermind

Harold Gethers (Richard Schiff)

Hagan’s attorney who manipulates legal avenues to delay or derail charges; he acts out of fear and self-preservation to keep Hagan protected. He orchestrates schemes to influence the legal process, displaying calculating and opportunistic traits.

💼 Lawyer 🏛️ Corruption

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

Major Themes – Fire with Fire (2012)

Explore the central themes of Fire with Fire (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧯 Vigilantism

After a brutal crime, Coleman vows to kill Hagan first and abandons the witness protection program. He uses his firefighting knowledge to track and eliminate Hagan's men, blurring the line between heroism and revenge. The pursuit raises questions about whether personal justice can substitute for due process.

❤️ Romance

Talia Durham, a Deputy U.S. Marshal, becomes a romantic connection for Coleman, offering emotional support amid constant danger. Their relationship deepens under the strain of risk and secrecy, testing trust and commitment. The romance influences Coleman's decisions about staying in witness protection and pursuing Hagan.

🛡️ Protection

Witness protection is central to the plot: Coleman is given a new identity and a fresh start away from Long Beach. He ultimately abandons the program to confront Hagan, highlighting the tension between safety and personal duty. The story explores how relocation and secrecy affect memory, identity, and relationships.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

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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.

Vigilante Justice Movies like Fire with Fire

Everyday people pushed to the brink, taking the law into their own hands.If you liked watching the fireman become a vigilante in Fire with Fire, you'll enjoy these movies about ordinary people pushed to the edge. This collection features similar high-stakes thrillers and crime dramas where protagonists take matters into their own hands against ruthless criminals.

vengefultensedangerousanxiousthrillingunrelentinggrimdesperate

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear, high-stakes path: an inciting act of violence targets the protagonist or someone they love, the legal system proves ineffective or dangerous, leading the hero to go off-grid and employ increasingly extreme measures in a personal war against a powerful antagonist.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared archetype of the reluctant vigilante and the compelling, morally gray journey they undertake. They consistently deliver a tense, anxious mood, fast-paced action, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the protagonist's traumatic transformation.

Fugitive Thrillers similar to Fire with Fire

Breathless chases where the hunted becomes the hunter.Fans of the relentless pursuit and dangerous hide-and-seek in Fire with Fire will find more gripping stories here. Discover similar movies about witnesses or targets on the run, featuring tense cat-and-mouse dynamics, corrupt systems, and protagonists fighting for survival against overwhelming odds.

suspensefulparanoidthrillingclaustrophobicunrelentingdangerousanxiousdesperate

Narrative Summary

These stories focus on the fugitive experience: the paranoia of being hunted, the logistical challenges of disappearing, and the constant threat of discovery. The plot is driven by a series of close calls, ambushes, and narrow escapes, building towards a final, violent confrontation where the hunter and the hunted roles are ultimately reversed.

Why These Movies?

They are united by the core experience of being a fugitive—the sustained tension, the anxiety of being stalked, and the fast-paced, life-or-death struggle for survival. The shared vibe is one of claustrophobic danger and unrelenting pressure, where every decision could be the last.

Unlock the Full Story of Fire with Fire

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

Fire with Fire Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Fire with Fire, 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.

Fire with Fire Summary

Fire with Fire Timeline

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

Fire with Fire Timeline

Fire with Fire Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Fire with Fire 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.

Fire with Fire Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Fire with Fire

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Fire with Fire: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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