Independence Daysaster

Independence Daysaster

Year: 2013

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: W.D. Hogan

Action

When Earth is unexpectedly attacked by a powerful alien force, the planet's defense systems are quickly overwhelmed. Hope rests on an unlikely partnership: a determined small-town firefighter and a brilliant, unconventional scientist from the SETI program. Together, they must race against time to activate a unique technology that holds the only chance of repelling the invaders and saving humanity.

Tense
Bittersweet ending
Moderately emotional
High intensity
Fast pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Independence Daysaster (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Independence Daysaster (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day, Fourth of July

The events unfold in the near-present, tying a patriotic holiday to a planetary-scale crisis. Modern assets, including drones and a mothership near the Moon, drive the conflict and rapid mobilization. The timeline emphasizes urgent decision-making and coordinated action across multiple locations. The stakes escalate quickly, leaving little room for hesitation.

Location

Moose Ridge, Oregon, Dixon Airbase, Washington, D.C.

Moose Ridge is a close-knit Oregon town that becomes ground zero for an alien invasion. The community gathers for a Fourth of July celebration as drones and a downed Marine One scatter the area. Nearby Dixon Airbase serves as the military command hub coordinating the counteroffensive. The setting contrasts rural Americana with high-stakes, high-tech warfare.

❄️ Small-town setting 🛰️ Alien invasion 🛡️ Military response

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:39

Main Characters – Independence Daysaster (2013)

Meet the key characters of Independence Daysaster (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andrew Garsette (Keenan Tracey)

A resourceful teen who navigates a rapidly collapsing town alongside friends Nick and Eliza. He shows quick thinking and a willingness to help family and community under extraordinary circumstances.

👦 Teen 🧠 Quick thinker 🧭 Adventurous

Pete Garsette (Ryan Merriman)

A local firefighter and uncle to Andrew who steps into a leadership role as danger approaches. He acts as a protective, action-oriented figure, risking his own safety to shield others.

🧑‍🚒 Firefighter 🛡️ Protector

Celia Lehman (Emily Holmes)

A SETI scientist who decipheres the alien signal and helps devise the plan to disrupt drone connections with a phonon-emitting device. Her expertise provides the scientific backbone of the defense.

🧪 Scientist 🛰️ Tech-minded

Sam Garsette (Tom Everett Scott)

The U.S. President who returns home amid an all-out alien invasion. He must balance diplomacy, strategy, and the moral implications of drastic military options.

🎖️ Leader 🧭 Decisive

Nick Miller (Casey Dubois)

A friend of Andrew who endures injury during the assault and participates in the town's fight for survival. He embodies youth courage and resilience.

🧒 Friend 🛡️ Courage

Eliza (Andrea Brooks)

A companion of Andrew who helps rally the group and contribute to the strategy against the alien threat. Her presence anchors the human element amid chaos.

👧 Companion 🧠 Resourceful

Todd (Iain Belcher)

A computer whiz who aids communication and helps connect ground teams with the Dixon base. His tech skills become critical to executing the plan.

🧑‍💻 Tech expert 🧭 Connector

Leni (Grace Sherman)

An ally who coordinates information flow and supports survival efforts during the crisis.

👩‍💼 Coordinator 🧠 Communicator

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:39

Major Themes – Independence Daysaster (2013)

Explore the central themes of Independence Daysaster (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Heroism

Individuals step up under sudden threat, risking their lives to protect others. Pete, Sam, and the townsfolk display courage, leadership, and selflessness in chaotic circumstances. The narrative centers on acts of sacrifice that galvanize the community. Heroic choices become the difference between collapse and survival.

🤝 Unity

The crisis draws together family, neighbors, scientists, and military forces toward a common goal. Collaboration across diverse groups proves essential to mounting a defense. The story shows how shared purpose can overcome fear and division. In the face of an extraterrestrial threat, cooperation becomes the highest form of strength.

🛰️ Science & Tech

Technology shapes both attack and defense, from Celia's interpretation of alien signals to the phonon-emitting device that disrupts drones. Scientific insight and engineering ingenuity unlock a path to victory under pressure. The tension centers on rapid innovation, risk, and the limits of current knowledge. Understanding advanced tech is crucial to countering the invaders.

🗽 Leadership

Leaders must make grim, consequential calls amid mounting casualties and shifting loyalties. The President and military commanders balance political pressures with the duty to protect civilians. The film frames leadership as a blend of courage, pragmatism, and tough decisions. Success hinges on decisive action and collective resolve.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:39

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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.

Desperate Race Against Time Thrillers like Independence Daysaster

Brilliant minds race against an imminent, world-ending deadline.Discover movies like Independence Daysaster where the world faces an immediate, overwhelming threat. This collection features similar tense sci-fi stories focused on a desperate countdown, scientific problem-solving, and high-stakes action. If you enjoyed the urgent, high-intensity pacing of Independence Daysaster, explore these other thrilling narratives.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear and urgent 'threat-response' pattern. An existential threat emerges, overwhelming standard defenses. The focus shifts to a small team or individual expert who must rapidly devise and deploy an unproven, high-risk solution. The story is propelled by the ticking clock, with each obstacle increasing the stakes toward a final, decisive confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a high-intensity, fast-paced experience centered on intellectual bravery against a clock. They blend scientific concepts with thrilling action, creating a consistent vibe of urgent problem-solving where the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The tone is predominantly tense and anxious, with a focus on resilience.

Alien Invasion Movies with Bittersweet Endings like Independence Daysaster

Worlds saved, but at a significant price and with an uncertain future.If you liked the ending of Independence Daysaster, explore these other alien invasion films where victory comes with a cost. These movies feature similar global threats and intense action, but conclude with a bittersweet or ambiguous feel, leaving the future uncertain. Find more sci-fi stories that balance triumph with sacrifice.

bittersweetdestructiveominoussacrificialuncertainintensehopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative builds to a climactic battle where the alien threat is neutralized, providing a moment of triumph. However, this victory is immediately undercut by the revelation of its cost—the scale of destruction, the loss of key characters, or the emergence of a new, even greater threat. The emotional journey peaks with relief but ends on a note of sober reflection and uncertainty.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that subvert the classic 'happy ending' trope of the genre. They share a specific emotional mix: the catharsis of survival combined with the sobering weight of sacrifice and the dread of an unresolved larger conflict. This creates a more complex and memorable viewing experience than a straightforward triumph.

Unlock the Full Story of Independence Daysaster

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

Independence Daysaster Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Independence Daysaster, 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.

Independence Daysaster Summary

Independence Daysaster Timeline

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Independence Daysaster Timeline

Independence Daysaster Spoiler-Free Summary

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Independence Daysaster Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Independence Daysaster

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Independence Daysaster (2013) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Independence Daysaster (2013) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow