Year: 2016
Runtime: 97 min
Language: English
Director: David Hackl
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.
Get a spoiler-free look at Life on the Line (2016) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a windswept Texas town, the ordinary rhythm of daily life is held together by the unseen work of the power company’s linemen. When the sky darkens with a looming storm, the community’s reliance on electricity becomes a matter of survival, turning the quiet streets into a tense battlefield of lightning and wind. The film paints this world with a gritty, atmospheric sheen, letting the hum of transformers and the crackle of thunder become characters in their own right, while the ever‑present danger of high‑voltage work hangs over every conversation.
At the heart of the story is Beau, a veteran lineman whose steady hands mask a deep, personal grief stemming from a family tragedy. His dedication to the job is matched only by the strained bond with his estranged daughter Bailey, now an adult navigating her own path. Their relationship teeters between unspoken resentment and a shared sense of duty, offering a poignant look at how loss can both divide and unite. Adding further complexity, Duncan arrives as a fresh face on the crew, bringing a mix of youthful energy and hidden depths that hint at both professional respect and personal intrigue.
Surrounding them is a cast of seasoned coworkers and new neighbors whose lives intersect on the power lines that crisscross the town. The camaraderie among the linemen is palpable, a brotherhood forged in the heat of storms and the quiet moments of routine maintenance. Meanwhile, the town’s quieter residents—Carline, Eugene, and others—provide a backdrop of ordinary lives that could be upended by a single flash of electricity.
The tone balances relentless suspense with moments of quiet reflection, emphasizing the heroic yet often overlooked labor that keeps the lights on. As the storm gathers, the film invites viewers to feel the electric charge in the air and wonder how far these everyday heroes will go to protect a community that depends on their invisible, high‑wire vigilance.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:36
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read a complete plot summary of Life on the Line, 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.
Track the full timeline of Life on the Line with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Life on the Line. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Life on the Line: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.