Life on the Line

Life on the Line

Year: 2016

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: David Hackl

ActionDrama

In this action thriller, John Travolta portrays Beau, a lineman grappling with the loss of his brother due to electrocution. When a dangerous storm threatens his Texas town, Beau must overcome his past and work to maintain the power supply. He joins forces with his estranged daughter, Bailey, and a team of dedicated linemen, including Duncan, to confront the escalating crisis and protect their community from being cut off.

Tense
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Mixed pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Life on the Line (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Life on the Line (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary, Over fifteen years

The story takes place in a contemporary setting, highlighting modern challenges faced by linemen and their families. Over the course of fifteen years, it explores how grief, relationships, and community evolve, capturing the passage of time and its impact on the characters. Events unfold against seasonal storms, symbolizing the turmoil in their lives.

Location

Local diner, Power company facilities, City streets

The movie primarily unfolds in a bustling urban setting where the power company operates, and a local diner serves as a gathering spot for characters. The city streets are depicted as the backdrop where the tensions between characters escalate amidst the emotional storms paralleling the weather. The looming presence of the power infrastructure highlights the dangers and challenges faced by linemen in their daily lives.

🏙️ Urban ⚡ Power Infrastructure

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:05

Main Characters – Life on the Line (2016)

Meet the key characters of Life on the Line (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Duncan (John Travolta)

Duncan is presented as a newcomer to the power company with a shared history with Bailey. His character provides insight into the life of a lineman through interviews, shedding light on the emotional struggles faced in the profession. As Bailey's love interest, he navigates complex relationships, highlighting the impact of past decisions on present circumstances.

🎬 Lineman ❤️ Love Interest

Danny Ginner (Devon Sawa)

Danny is an experienced lineman juggling the responsibilities of his job with his role as a father. His love for his daughter Bailey shines through his protective nature, especially during the storm. Danny's tragic accident and loss set the emotional tone for the film and spark significant changes in the family dynamics.

⚡ Lineman 👨‍👧 Father

Bailey (Kate Bosworth)

Bailey is characterized by her strength and vulnerability as she faces loss and love throughout the film. Her pregnancy adds layers of complexity as she chooses between her aspirations and motherhood. The bond she shares with Beau and her tumultuous relationship with Duncan illustrate her journey of growth and resilience.

❤️ Daughter 🌪️ Pregnant

Beau (Gil Bellows)

Beau is depicted as a dedicated lineman with deep familial ties and a strong sense of duty. His relationship with Bailey and his brother Danny illustrates the themes of sacrifice and support. Beau's character evolves as he faces the storms both in his professional life and personal relationships, often questioning his role in the family.

⚡ Lineman 👨‍👧 Brother

Maggie

Maggie is the tragic figure whose untimely death leaves a profound impact on her family. Her absence serves as a catalyst for the grief that permeates the storyline, pushing characters like Danny and Beau to navigate their emotional turmoil. Though not present in the current timeline, Maggie’s influence is felt throughout the film.

😢 Loss ❤️ Wife

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:05

Major Themes – Life on the Line (2016)

Explore the central themes of Life on the Line (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Loss

The film deeply explores the theme of love interwoven with profound loss, as characters navigate their relationships in the shadow of tragedy. Bailey's pregnancy with Duncan and her connection with Beau highlight the complexities of love in the face of grief. This theme resonates throughout the narrative as characters find solace and challenge each other in their mourning.

⚡ Danger and Sacrifice

The relentless dangers of a lineman's job serve as a significant theme, representing the risks taken for the greater good. Beau's ultimate sacrifice to save his community captures the essence of bravery and the harsh realities of their profession. The theme highlights the fine line between duty and personal loss, prompting viewers to reflect on the cost of service.

🌩️ Storms of Life

Symbolically, the storms in the film represent the internal and external conflicts faced by the characters. Both literal and metaphorical storms serve to heighten tensions and provide a backdrop for character development. As they navigate these tumultuous times, the characters discover resilience and the importance of support from their community.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:05

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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.

Bittersweet Disaster Thrillers like Life on the Line

Thrillers where heroic survival comes at a heavy personal cost.If you liked the high-tension action and heavy emotional cost in Life on the Line, explore more movies like it. This collection features gripping disaster stories where survival is hard-won and comes with a bittersweet toll, focusing on themes of sacrifice and resilience.

grippingtensetragicanxiousheroicmelancholicgrimhopeful

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a pattern of imminent catastrophe, forcing a group of professionals or everyday people into a desperate fight for survival. Character arcs are defined by overcoming past trauma or personal conflict to rise to the occasion. The climax delivers a resolution to the external threat, but often at the cost of key characters, resulting in a victory that feels earned yet mournful.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a specific tonal balance: the exhilarating pace and high stakes of a disaster movie combined with a sobering, emotionally heavy conclusion. They prioritize not just physical survival but the emotional weight of sacrifice.

Movies about Grief and Dangerous Jobs like Life on the Line

Stories of professionals healing past wounds while facing extreme danger.For viewers who appreciated the blend of family drama and high-risk profession in Life on the Line, this list finds similar movies. These stories explore how characters overcome grief and estrangement while performing dangerous, essential work, creating a tense and heavy viewing experience.

melancholictensegrippingtragichopefulanxiousemotionalgrim

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist haunted by a past loss, often connected to their dangerous work, which has caused a rift in their personal life. A new crisis forces them back into action, and through the shared ordeal, they find a path to reconciliation with family or colleagues. The external danger mirrors the internal emotional conflict, leading to catharsis.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their dual focus: the visceral tension of life-threatening professional scenarios and the profound, character-driven arc of overcoming grief and rebuilding family connections. The workplace danger directly catalyzes the emotional healing.

Unlock the Full Story of Life on the Line

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

Life on the Line Summary

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Life on the Line Summary

Life on the Line Timeline

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Life on the Line Timeline

Life on the Line Spoiler-Free Summary

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Life on the Line Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Life on the Line

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More About Life on the Line

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Life on the Line (2016) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Life on the Line (2016) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow