Fracture

Fracture

Year: 2007

Runtime: 113 min

Language: French

Director: Gregory Hoblit

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

Meticulous engineer Richard Langley finds his life irrevocably changed when he's accused of attempting to murder his wife. Following his acquittal, a relentless prosecutor, Willy Beachum, becomes determined to prove Langley’s guilt. This sets off a tense and intricate cat-and-mouse game, pushing the boundaries of justice and exploring complex moral questions as the two men engage in a battle of wits.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Fracture 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!

Fracture (2007) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Fracture (2007), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The life of Theodore “Ted” Crawford (Anthony Hopkins), a prosperous and ingenious structural engineer, takes a chilling turn when he discovers that his wife, Jennifer (Embeth Davidtz), is entangled in an affair with police detective Rob Nunally (Billy Burke). In a moment of rage and betrayal, Crawford does the unthinkable—he shoots his wife, leaving her in critical condition, and proceeds to openly confess the act to Nunally immediately after committing the crime. Yet, in a surprising twist at his arraignment, he retracts his confession, plunging the legal proceedings into chaos.

What follows is an intense game of intellect between Crawford and the ambitious rising star of the district attorney’s office, William “Willy” Beachum (Ryan Gosling). Beachum perceives the case as straightforward and is eager to take it to trial. Simultaneously, he is preoccupied with his transition to corporate law at a prestigious law firm, Wooton Sims, and has initiated a romantic relationship with his future superior, Nikki Gardner (Rosamund Pike).

In an unexpected turn of events, Crawford chooses to represent himself in court—a decision that adds a layer of intrigue as he faces off against a seasoned prosecutor. During the trial, Crawford theatrically reveals that the arresting officer, Nunally, was not only involved with his wife but was also on the scene during his interrogation, raising questions about the legitimacy of his confession which becomes inadmissible due to the legal concept known as the “fruit of the poisonous tree.”

As Beachum digs deeper, he finds that the gun retrieved from Crawford’s residence was never fired and bears no connection to the shell casings found at the scene of the assault. As the trial approaches, Beachum agonizes over the lack of evidence, and in a moment of desperation, Nunally suggests planting false evidence—a proposition Beachum, an idealistic young lawyer, sternly rebukes. Nunally, fueled by his obsession for vengeance, disregards Beachum’s ethics and goes ahead with the deceitful plan.

Just before the trial begins, Beachum attempts to orchestrate a distraction to unnerve Crawford but ultimately decides against it. Left with scant evidence to present, Beachum reluctantly concedes the fight, leading to Crawford’s acquittal. The courtroom drama culminates tragically when Nunally, consumed by disgrace, takes his own life just outside.

Despite the case being officially closed, Beachum is haunted by the unsettling events and continues to seek justice, even visiting the comatose Jennifer in the hospital, where he clings to hope for her recovery. However, Crawford manipulates the proceedings by securing a restraining order against Beachum to prevent him from visiting Jennifer, revealing a sinister intention to eliminate the only witness to his heinous act. Ultimately, Beachum engages in a fierce battle to ensure that Jennifer remains on life support, but when faced with a wall of resistance from Nikki, their relationship collapses.

In a twist of fate, a mix-up involving cell phones leads Beachum to make a chilling connection between the guns used by both Nunally and Crawford. By deducing that Crawford switched guns with Nunally during the chaos at the crime scene, Beachum finds a glimmer of hope. When he confronts Crawford with his newfound revelations, the stakes are raised as Beachum reveals that with Jennifer’s passing, the circumstances have changed dramatically; Crawford can now be charged with murder rather than just attempted murder.

Employing a clever ruse, Beachum manages to extract a confession from Crawford, who naively believes he is safeguarded by the double jeopardy clause. The film’s tension reaches its zenith as Crawford is skillfully backed into a corner, only to discover that his previous safeguards have disintegrated following the loss of his wife. Law enforcement officials are poised and ready to apprehend him outside the courtroom, leading to a gripping conclusion as the screen fades to black, leaving us poised for a new trial where this time, Crawford is flanked by a team of attorneys eager to challenge his treacherous path.

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 18:09

Unlock the Full Story of Fracture

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

Fracture Timeline

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

Fracture Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fracture

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fracture

More About Fracture

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

Similar Movies to Fracture

Discover movies like Fracture 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.