In Enemy Hands

In Enemy Hands

Year: 2004

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Tony Giglio

WarWar and historical adventureBravery in WarNazis and World War IIMilitary combat and heroic soldiers

During the peak of Hitler’s U‑boat campaign, the crew of the U.S.S. Swordfish is returning home after months at sea, but their vessel never arrives. Captured as prisoners of war aboard German U‑boat 429, a handful of American survivors must confront a brutal dilemma, forced to cooperate with their captors in a desperate fight for survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen In Enemy Hands 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 & Setting – In Enemy Hands (2004)

Explore the full timeline and setting of In Enemy Hands (2004). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1943

The narrative is anchored in 1943, a pivotal year of intensified Allied anti-submarine warfare against German U-boats. The action spans a period of rapid naval battles, with a deadly meningitis outbreak adding a race-against-time element. The story traces the arc from a high-stakes attack to a fragile, uneasy alliance that ultimately influences the wartime balance on the Atlantic front.

Location

North Atlantic Ocean, aboard the USS Swordfish, U-429, U-821, USS Logan

The film unfolds in the North Atlantic during World War II, primarily inside claustrophobic submarine interiors and on open water. Battles unfold across the sea as American and German vessels engage in depths-charge confrontations and cat-and-mouse maneuvers. Key locations include the Swordfish's hull, the German U-boats U-429 and U-821, and the USS Logan as a rescue and pursuit backdrop.

🌊 Ocean ⚓ War at Sea 🔎 Submarine Environment

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:20

Main Characters – In Enemy Hands (2004)

Meet the key characters of In Enemy Hands (2004), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Randall Sullivan (Scott Caan)

Lt. Cmdr. Randall Sullivan commands the Swordfish with discipline and resolve. He confronts a meningitis diagnosis alongside his crew and ultimately sacrifices himself to protect them, embodying steadfast leadership and personal courage under fire.

🎖️ Leader 🧠 Strategist 💪 Courageous

Nathan Travers (William H. Macy)

Chief of Boat and Sullivan’s second-in-command, Travers is practical, steadfast, and protective of his men. After Goodman’s death, he rises to the challenge, forms a fragile alliance with Cremer, and strives to honor his promise to return home to his wife.

🎖️ Leader 🧠 Strategist 💪 Resilient

Ludwig Cremer (Thomas Kretschmann)

Cremer is the U-429’s First Watch Officer who ultimately takes command during a crisis. He demonstrates restraint in combat, a willingness to cooperate with the enemy for the sake of his crew, and steady leadership that guides both sides toward safety.

🧭 Leader 💔 Compassionate 🤝 Peacemaker

Jonas Herdt (Til Schweiger)

Captain of U-429, weary of the war and capable of pragmatic mercy. He saves Travers’ men against protocol and ultimately dies after a mutiny, leaving a lasting impression on both sides and steering the outcome toward humane action.

⚔️ Commander 🧭 Pragmatic 🕊️ Compassionate

Admiral Kentz (Xander Berkeley)

Admiral Kentz oversees Allied operations and upholds hard wartime policy. He remains wary of the German side even as he respects acts of mercy; his stance underscores the tension between duty, ethics, and pragmatism in wartime leadership.

🎖️ Authority 🧠 Pragmatic ⚖️ Duty

Captain Samuel Littleton (Chris Ellis)

Captain of the USS Logan, he commands with strategic intent and uses information warfare as Travers bridges contact. He orders Travers to take the Enigma, driving a deception that helps save lives by preventing capture.

🎖️ Commander 🧠 Strategist 🤝 Cooperative

Virgil Wright (Sam Huntington)

Radio Operator who nurses Sullivan and notices the meningitis symptoms in the crew. He remains a calm, loyal presence whose quick assessment helps sustain the group through the crisis.

🛰️ Technician 🧠 Analytical 💪 Loyal

Ox (Patrick Gallagher)

Crew member who stays practical and steady as the group endures capture and disease. He contributes to the survival effort and embodies the submarine crew’s stubborn resilience.

💪 Resilient 🧠 Resourceful 🗡️ Steady

Teddy Goodman (Clark Gregg)

Executive Officer on the Swordfish whose illness sets off a cascade of events. His death removes a guiding voice and emphasizes the personal costs of war at sea.

🎖️ Leader 💪 Courageous 🧠 Quick-thinking

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:20

Major Themes – In Enemy Hands (2004)

Explore the central themes of In Enemy Hands (2004), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Leadership

Leadership is tested under extreme pressure as Sullivan guides a sick, collapsing crew through drills, danger, and the looming threat of capture. His decisions, sacrifices, and sense of duty define how the crew endures the crisis. The theme highlights how strong, humane command can steady a ship under fire and high stakes.

🤝 Alliance

Enemies converge into an unlikely partnership as Cremer and Travers choose cooperation over victory at any cost. They navigate distrust, limited resources, and language barriers to save their men. The narrative shows that survival can trump wartime enmity when lives hang in the balance.

🦠 Disease and Mortality

Meningitis spreads through the crew, turning illness into a weapon that threatens both sides. The disease creates a ticking clock, forcing rapid decisions and shaping loyalties as men fight not only the enemy but time itself. Mortality becomes a constant, altering how characters think and act.

🕊️ Humanity in War

Jonas Herdt’s choice to spare Travers’ crew, and Cremer’s tolerance of collaboration, reveal a more nuanced view of war where mercy and shared humanity briefly eclipse national allegiance. The mutiny threat tests moral boundaries, underscoring that individuals can choose mercy even amid devastating conflict. The ending reinforces that personal bonds can outlast propaganda and enmity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:20

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.

Unlock the Full Story of In Enemy Hands

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

In Enemy Hands Summary

Read a complete plot summary of In Enemy Hands, 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.

In Enemy Hands Summary

In Enemy Hands Timeline

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

In Enemy Hands Timeline

In Enemy Hands Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of In Enemy Hands 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.

In Enemy Hands Spoiler-Free Summary

More About In Enemy Hands

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about In Enemy Hands: 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 In Enemy Hands

Explore More About Movie In Enemy Hands

In Enemy Hands (2004) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

In Enemy Hands (2004) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

In Enemy Hands (2004) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow