High Crimes

High Crimes

Year: 2002

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Carl Franklin

Budget: $42M

DramaThrillerCrime

A successful lawyer's life is upended when her husband’s concealed history as a military operative surfaces, revealing accusations of a war crime. Determined to clear his name, she finds herself embroiled in a clandestine legal proceeding. She receives unexpected guidance from a resourceful mentor who challenges conventional methods and operates in the shadows, as she confronts powerful forces and uncovers unsettling truths about the man she thought she knew.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen High Crimes 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 – High Crimes (2002)

Trace every key event in High Crimes (2002) 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

Blissful Life in Marin County

Attorney Claire Kubik and her husband Tom lead a seemingly perfect life in Marin County, California. Claire is close to becoming a partner at her law firm and is excited about starting a family with Tom.

Marin County, California
2

Tom's Arrest

While shopping in San Francisco's Union Square, Tom is unexpectedly arrested by the FBI, shocking Claire to her core. He is accused of murdering nine unarmed civilians during a military operation in El Salvador, which turns their lives upside down.

San Francisco's Union Square
3

Shocking Revelation of True Identity

Claire learns that Tom's real name is Ronald Chapman, revealing a past filled with covert military operations. The arrest leads to a cascade of emotions as she struggles to comprehend the implications of this hidden identity.

4

Tom's Claims of Innocence

Amid the turmoil, Ron insists that he is innocent, trapped in a web of lies and accusations. This revelation deepens Claire's emotional conflict and ignites her determination to clear his name.

5

The Café Bombing Incident

Tom explains the tragic sequence of events that began with a café bombing in Monte Azul, attributed to a rebel named Danilo Chacon. This violence ultimately led to the deaths of innocent villagers, setting the stage for his alleged involvement.

Monte Azul
6

Major Hernandez's Role

Tom claims that he was merely following the orders of Major James Hernandez during the military operation. This crucial detail complicates the narrative as Claire begins to untangle the events leading to the massacre.

7

Claire Takes Over the Defense

With an inexperienced attorney initially assigned to defend Tom, Claire's legal acumen compels her to assume control of his defense. Her decision, however, jeopardizes her professional reputation as she steps into the tumultuous world of military law.

8

Enlisting Charlie Grimes

Desperate for support, Claire recruits Charlie Grimes, a former JAG attorney with a vendetta against military entities. His experience becomes invaluable as they navigate the treacherous landscape of the legal battle.

9

Uncovering the Cover-Up

As the trial progresses, Claire uncovers mounting evidence of a cover-up involving military officials. The discovery of dying or mysteriously missing witnesses intensifies her determination to seek the truth.

10

Claire's Attack

In a chilling turn of events, Claire is assaulted at home, highlighting the intimidation tactics employed against her. This incident strengthens her resolve to fight back against the corrupt system threatening her family.

11

Unexpected Revelations

New allegations surface, suggesting that Tom may have murdered key witnesses to silence them. This dramatic twist puts Claire's quest for justice on a precarious edge as chaos looms around them.

12

Confronting Corruption

With stakes higher than ever, Claire confronts high-ranking military officials responsible for her husband's plight. The battle for truth and justice intensifies, testing her resilience and determination.

13

Establishing a New Law Firm

After the dust settles from the trial, Claire and Charlie resolve to create a new law firm focused on fighting for justice. They are motivated by a commitment to expose corruption and advocate for the truth, regardless of the cost.

14

Belief in the Truth

Throughout their ordeal, Claire and Charlie uphold the belief that the truth must always prevail. Their journey becomes a testament to resilience, highlighting the importance of fighting for justice in a flawed system.

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:10

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.

Legal conspiracy thrillers like High Crimes

Determined lawyers uncover deep conspiracies while fighting a rigged legal system.If you enjoyed the high-stakes legal battle and military cover-up in High Crimes, explore movies like this one. This collection features fast-paced thrillers where lawyers and investigators fight against a corrupt system, uncovering unsettling truths and facing grave personal risks.

tensesuspensefulurgentparanoidgrippingresoluteanxious

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a methodical investigator or principled lawyer who discovers that their case is just the tip of a much larger, more sinister iceberg. The plot involves gathering evidence against overwhelming odds, facing intimidation from powerful enemies, and a race against time to expose the truth before being silenced.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped together for their shared focus on legal or investigative procedures corrupted by powerful institutions, creating a tense, paranoid, and urgent atmosphere. Viewers enjoy the intellectual puzzle and the moral satisfaction of seeing an underdog challenge an unjust system.

Movies about marital deception like High Crimes

Characters discover shocking secrets about a loved one, forcing a re-examination of their entire life.For viewers who liked the theme of a husband's hidden past in High Crimes, this thread features movies with similar narratives of shocking personal betrayal. Discover stories where characters must confront the unsettling truth about someone they thought they knew, leading to a heavy emotional journey.

anxioussuspicioustensegrippingparanoidurgentheavyunraveling

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with an idyllic or normal life that is abruptly disrupted by a discovery—a hidden identity, a secret past, or criminal activity. The protagonist's journey is one of investigation and emotional turmoil, as they piece together the truth while their personal world and trust disintegrate around them.

Why These Movies?

These films share a powerful emotional hook: the betrayal of intimate trust. They are united by a heavy emotional weight, a tense and suspenseful tone, and a focus on the psychological impact of deception, making the viewer experience the protagonist's anxiety and paranoia firsthand.

Unlock the Full Story of High Crimes

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

High Crimes Summary

Read a complete plot summary of High Crimes, 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.

High Crimes Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in High Crimes

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in High Crimes

High Crimes Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of High Crimes 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.

High Crimes Spoiler-Free Summary

More About High Crimes

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

Similar Movies to High Crimes

Discover movies like High Crimes 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.