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Plot Summary

Homefront (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 100 min · German
JustWatch #714 5
Directed by
Gary Fleder
Starring
Jason Statham, James Franco, Clancy Brown, Frank Grillo, Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth
Budget
$22M

Following the aftermath of war, a former prisoner of war journeys to Vienna seeking retribution for the deaths of his fellow soldiers. His quest for vengeance leads him into a complex investigation involving a notorious serial killer. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a larger conspiracy and is forced to confront painful memories and the lingering effects of his wartime experiences.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Homefront
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Homefront (2013)

Where can you watch Homefront? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Tubi TV and Xumo Play: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Homefront: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Homefront (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

In Shreveport, Louisiana, DEA Agent Phil Broker (Jason Statham) finds himself deeply embedded within a biker gang under the leadership of Danny T (Chuck Zito). Their illicit activities come to light when the DEA storms a bar where the gang produces crystal meth. In the ensuing chaos, Broker's identity as a DEA agent is exposed, and he narrowly escapes with Danny T and his son Jojo. As the confrontation escalates, Danny T is apprehended, but not before Broker is forced to shoot Jojo in the leg, leading to Jojo’s tragic suicide by cop. Traumatized by these events, Broker resigns from his position.

Fast-forward two years, Broker seeks a fresh start in a small town with his daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic), which happens to be where Maddy's late mother grew up. He has launched a contracting business with his friend Teedo (Omar Benson Miller). While at school, Maddy becomes involved in a physical altercation with a classmate named Teddy Klum, due to his bullying behavior. This incident prompts a meeting with school counselor Susan (Rachelle Lefevre), who reveals that Teddy is a special needs child, and suggests that Maddy's father, Broker, might need to tread lightly, especially around Teddy's difficult parents—Cassie (Kate Bosworth) and Jimmy (Marcus Hester). When tensions rise, Broker finds himself in a confrontation with Jimmy.

Unbeknownst to Broker, the local drug scene is rife with danger, particularly involving Gator Bodine (James Franco), who is known for asserting control over local drug distribution. That very night, Cassie, Gator's sister, visits him to request that he intimidate Broker, revealing her own struggles with addiction that she relies on Gator to feed.

As Broker enjoys a peaceful day horseback riding with Maddy, Gator breaks into their home, stealing Maddy's cherished cat and stuffed animal. During his rummaging, Gator uncovers Broker's past as a cop and a photo that implicates him in Danny T's arrest. Shortly thereafter, Broker, in an attempt to safeguard Maddy, reaches out to Susan for help with her birthday party.

As tensions boil, Broker confronts Gator during breakfast, sending a photo of Gator's ex-girlfriend Sheryl Mott (Winona Ryder) to an old colleague in the DEA. Meanwhile, Gator enlists the help of Cyrus Hanks (Frank Grillo), a hitman with ties to Danny T, further sealing Broker's fate.

Broker's life spirals into violence when confrontations with Gator's thugs escalate, leading to brutal encounters where Teedo lends support and Broker struggles to keep Maddy safe. A gripping climax unfolds as Broker learns of a plot to murder him, compelling him to take drastic measures to protect his daughter.

The situation comes to a head in a fierce showdown where Maddy is taken hostage by Sheryl, forcing Broker into a high-stakes pursuit. As Broker confronts Gator one final time—on the brink of revenge—he ultimately chooses to spare Gator's life for the sake of his daughter. With Gator and Sheryl apprehended, Broker is left dealing with the consequences of his choices. He makes a chilling visit to Danny T in prison, hinting at a confrontation that may lie ahead after Danny's release.

Last updated: October 25, 2024 at 12:40

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Plot questions answered

Homefront Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Homefront (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Phil Broker resign from the DEA?

Broker resigned from the DEA because he was traumatized by a tragic incident in Shreveport, Louisiana. During an undercover operation to infiltrate a biker gang led by Danny T, Broker's cover was blown during a DEA raid. In the chaos, he was forced to shoot Danny T's son Jojo in the leg, which led Jojo to commit suicide by cop. The emotional weight of being responsible for a child's death overwhelmed Broker, causing him to leave the agency and seek a new life.

  • Phil Broker resignation
  • DEA
  • Jojo suicide
  • traumatic event
  • Shreveport
Q2

What happened to Jojo in Shreveport?

During a DEA raid on the biker gang's bar, Broker's cover was exposed. In the ensuing chaos, Broker was cornered by Danny T and his son Jojo. Broker was forced to shoot Jojo in the leg to escape. Jojo then deliberately provoked police into shooting him, committing suicide by cop. This devastating event haunted Broker and directly led to his departure from the DEA.

  • Jojo
  • Danny T's son
  • suicide by cop
  • DEA raid
  • Shreveport biker gang
Q3

Why does Gator Bodine target Broker?

Gator targets Broker for multiple reasons. First, Cassie (Gator's sister) asked him to intimidate Broker after Broker confronted Jimmy Klum, Teddy's father, escalating a conflict involving Maddy's school fight. Second, during a break-in at Broker's home, Gator discovered Broker's true identity as a former DEA agent and learned he had been involved in Danny T's arrest. This made Broker a threat Gator wanted eliminated, especially after Broker sent a compromising photo of Gator's ex-girlfriend to his DEA contacts.

  • Gator Bodine
  • Phil Broker
  • intimidation
  • DEA agent
  • revenge
Q4

What is the connection between Danny T and Gator Bodine?

Danny T and Gator Bodine are connected through the criminal underworld, though they operate in different territories. Danny T was a biker gang leader in Shreveport whom Broker helped arrest two years before the main story. Gator, a drug distributor in the small town, learns about Broker's role in Danny T's arrest through the stolen photos during his break-in. Additionally, Gator hires Cyrus Hanks, a hitman with ties to Danny T, to eliminate Broker, essentially seeking revenge on behalf of his criminal network.

  • Danny T
  • Gator Bodine
  • biker gang
  • Cyrus Hanks
  • criminal connection
Q5

Why does Sheryl Mott take Maddy hostage?

Sheryl Mott takes Maddy hostage because she is coerced by Gator Bodine. Gator manipulates Sheryl, his ex-girlfriend who is struggling with addiction, intokidnapping Maddy to use as leverage against Broker. Gator threatens to cut off Sheryl's drug supply if she refuses. This forces Broker into a desperate situation where he must confront Gator to save his daughter.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Gator's sister Cassie reveals her addiction struggles and reliance on Gator for drugs, establishing the pattern of drug-related coercion that Gator uses against Sheryl.

  • Sheryl Mott
  • Maddy hostage
  • Gator Bodine
  • kidnapping
  • drug addiction
Q6

Why does Broker send Gator's ex-girlfriend photo to the DEA?

Broker sends a compromising photo of Gator's ex-girlfriend Sheryl Mott to his old DEA colleague as a strategic move to gain leverage over Gator. By exposing Gator's connections and criminal activities to federal authorities, Broker hoped to force Gator into backing down or create enough legal pressure to protect himself and Maddy. This act escalated the conflict between Broker and Gator, pushing Gator to hire a hitman.

  • Sheryl Mott
  • DEA
  • photo
  • Gator Bodine
  • leverage
Q7

Who is Cyrus Hanks and why does Gator hire him?

Cyrus Hanks is a hitman hired by Gator Bodine to kill Broker. Hanks has criminal ties to Danny T, the biker gang leader Broker helped arrest in Shreveport. By hiring Hanks, Gator seeks to eliminate Broker both to protect his drug operation and as revenge for Broker's role in Danny T's imprisonment. The hiring of a professional assassin represents a major escalation in the conflict.

  • Cyrus Hanks
  • hitman
  • Gator Bodine
  • Danny T
  • assassin
Q8

Why does Broker spare Gator's life at the end?

Broker chooses to spare Gator's life because his daughter Maddy is present during the final confrontation. After Sheryl releases Maddy, Broker has the opportunity to kill Gator but chooses mercy instead of revenge. This decision reflects Broker's character arc, he refuses to let violence consume him any further, especially in front of his daughter. He chooses to let the law handle Gator rather than become a murderer himself.

  • Broker spares Gator
  • Maddy
  • mercy
  • final confrontation
  • redemption
Q9

What is the significance of Broker's visit to Danny T in prison?

The prison visit at the end is ambiguous and ominous. Danny T will be released soon, and Broker's chilling visit suggests he is preparing for a future confrontation. Rather than seeking revenge immediately, Broker seems to be sending a message that he is watching and waiting. The ending implies that Broker's past trauma and the events involving Jojo will likely catch up with him, setting up potential conflict in any sequel.

Foreshadowing: The entire film builds toward this moment, Broker's violent past with Danny T in Shreveport never truly leaves him, and the prison visit confirms the story is not over.

  • Danny T
  • prison visit
  • sequel setup
  • unresolved conflict
  • Jason Statham
Q10

Why does Cassie ask Gator to intimidate Broker?

Cassie, Gator's sister, approaches him seeking help because her husband Jimmy got into a confrontation with Broker. However, deeper motivation is revealed: Cassie is addicted to drugs and relies on Gator to supply her addiction. She uses the conflict with Broker as an excuse to enlist her brother's dangerous help, though Gator's true motivation is his own territorial protection and later, his discovered vendetta against Broker.

  • Cassie
  • Gator
  • Jimmy Klum
  • addiction
  • intimidation request

Movie threads

More Movies Like Homefront, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Homefront tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Protector Versus Criminal Underworld movies like Homefront

A lone guardian must fight a violent criminal network to protect a vulnerable loved one. If you liked the high-stakes conflict in Homefront, this list features similar movies where a lone protector takes on a dangerous criminal network. These films are tense, action-packed thrillers centered on the defense of family and home against overwhelming odds.

  • tense
  • violent
  • relentless
  • dangerous
  • gritty
  • protective
  • Tone: tense, gritty
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a protagonist seeking a quiet life, only to have their peace shattered by a local criminal threat. The story escalates from minor skirmishes to all-out warfare, forcing the hero to utilize their specialized skills to survive and protect those they love against a seemingly unstoppable foe.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core structure of a protector figure confronting organized crime, creating a fast-paced, high-intensity experience defined by personal stakes, escalating violence, and the theme of a peaceful life violently disrupted.

Gritty Small-Town Crime Thrillers similar to Homefront

Ordinary communities shattered by violence, corruption, and dark secrets. Discover movies like Homefront that explore the dark side of seemingly peaceful small towns. These stories feature tense atmospheres, corrupt locals, and intense action, perfect for viewers who enjoy thrillers where community facades crack under pressure.

  • gritty
  • oppressive
  • tense
  • paranoid
  • small town
  • corruption
  • Tone: tense, oppressive, paranoid
  • Pacing: steady to fast, building tension
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an outsider or a returning native exposing the rot festering beneath a town's quiet surface. The conflict is often deeply personal, pitting individuals against a web of local corruption, where everyone knows each other, and trust is a liability. The setting itself becomes a character, feeling both familiar and ominously oppressive.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films based on their specific atmospheric blend of a rural or small-town setting with high-stakes crime narratives. The shared vibe is one of claustrophobic tension, where danger feels inescapable because it comes from within the community.

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Movies Like Homefront

Similar movies to Homefront: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Homefront (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Homefront in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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