House of the Rising Sun

House of the Rising Sun

Year: 2011

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

CrimeActionDramaThriller

After losing his badge, ex‑cop Ray tries to rebuild his life. One night the nightclub where he works is robbed and the owner’s son is killed. With his criminal past exposed, Ray hunts the shooter to clear his name, while both the mob and police close in, making him their prime suspect.

Warning: spoilers below!

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House of the Rising Sun (2011) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of House of the Rising Sun (2011), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Ray Shane is an ex-vice cop trying to turn his life around after spending five years in prison on corruption charges. He works as the head of security for The House of the Rising Sun, a strip club that secretly hides an illegal gambling den. During a night on the job, a masked gang storms the club to rob it of $300,000, and the ensuing shootout leaves the club owner’s son, Peter, dead. When the police arrive, they suspect Ray acted as the inside man for the robbers.

Ray’s relationship with Jenny Porter is rocky after her regrettable affair with Tony, the right-hand man of their boss while he was imprisoned. Ray is then recruited by his boss, small-time gangster Vinnie Marcella, to track down the killers behind the heist. He finds help from his former police colleague Jimmy LaGrange, who furnishes information, but Vinnie and Tony grow suspicious that Ray may have been involved in the robbery.

That night, Tony and his partner, Joey, set up a hit on Ray at his motel. After escaping, Ray stays with Jenny at her apartment, where she reveals she became a call girl only until his prison sentence ended. He forgives her, and they share a moment of closeness. The next day, Ray meets informant Charlie Blackstone, learning that Tony is planning to take over Vinnie’s position. He also uncovers that the crime was organized by an unknown mastermind who had the crew whacked to protect themselves. The shooter refuses to testify, and Ray is forced to kill him in self-defense.

Tony goes to see Carlos, who runs on the same criminal map as Charlie, but the plot thickens when Priscilla Zello—aiding Tony by sleeping with Carlos to keep him loyal—becomes offended and shoots Carlos dead, a move Ray counters by killing Priscilla.

Ray contacts the police and informs Vinnie at his office that they were set up, with Tony framing Ray for the robbery and pitting Carlos against Vinnie. Tony arrives with the money to confirm the truth, while Jenny is held hostage by Joey. Jimmy appears, having been bribed to kill Ray, but instead hands Ray a gun, triggering a ferocious shoot-out. Jimmy and Joey are killed, and Tony escapes with Jenny down to the floor of the club. There, Jenny manages to escape with the money and tosses it to the strippers.

In the parking lot, Ray fights Tony until the police arrive, and he tries to convince them that Tony orchestrated the robbery and set him up. When Tony shoots toward Jenny, the police shoot him dead. Jenny pleads with the police that Ray is innocent, but her testimony is not enough, and he is arrested and taken into custody. In the end, Jenny shares a final kiss with Ray before he is driven back to prison.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:34

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Thrillers with framed heroes like in House of the Rising Sun

Stories of desperate heroes on the run, hunted by both cops and criminals.If you enjoyed the relentless chase and high tension of House of the Rising Sun, you'll like these movies. This list features crime stories and action thrillers where a character is wrongly accused and hunted by both law enforcement and criminal elements, forcing them into a desperate fight for survival and truth.

desperateparanoidgrittyvengefulanxioushigh-stakesclaustrophobic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an inciting incident that frames the protagonist, launching them into a fugitive state. They are pursued by authorities who see them as guilty and by villains who want them silenced. The plot is a race against time as the hero gathers evidence and allies, often facing betrayal, to clear their name before they are caught or killed.

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These films are grouped by their shared core premise of a dual manhunt, which generates relentless pacing and a tense, paranoid atmosphere. They focus on themes of justice, survival, and the fragility of one's reputation, delivering a consistently gritty and high-intensity experience.

Gritty redemption stories like House of the Rising Sun

Broken characters clawing their way back through a violent, corrupt world.For viewers who liked the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet ending of House of the Rising Sun. These movies feature protagonists with criminal or troubled pasts on a difficult path to redemption, set against gritty backdrops of crime and corruption where a clean escape is rarely possible.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character attempting to atone for past sins or rebuild a broken life. Their quest is complicated by the remnants of their old world—former associates, systemic corruption, or their own reputation. The journey is physically dangerous and emotionally taxing, often culminating in a resolution that offers personal vindication but not necessarily a clean, happy ending.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies by their focus on the theme of redemption within a harsh, realistic context. They share a heavy emotional weight, a gritty tone, and often a bittersweet conclusion, prioritizing a compelling character arc over straightforward heroic triumph.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in House of the Rising Sun

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in House of the Rising Sun

House of the Rising Sun Spoiler-Free Summary

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