Live Wire

Live Wire

Year: 1992

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Christian Duguay

ActionDramaThriller

Your body is 93% water, so no one is safe when terrorists create an invisible liquid explosive that detonates inside a person. Bomb‑disposal specialist Danny O’Neill is called in to track the weapon, race against time, and prevent the deadly, water‑triggered threat from killing innocent victims.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Live Wire (1992)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Live Wire (1992). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1990s

The events take place in a contemporary political era, reflecting the period's concerns about domestic terrorism and high-stakes security. The investigative approach and technology feel aligned with the early 1990s, before today’s digital sophistication. The tension is shaped by real-world threats to public figures during political events.

Location

Washington DC

The story unfolds primarily in the United States political hub, including a high-profile fundraiser and a senator's mansion. The settings emphasize the proximity of power to danger, with scenes inside government offices, private residences, and public events. The city serves as a stage for the clash between public duty and personal peril.

🏛️ Washington DC 🇺🇸 United States 🎭 Political thriller

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:04

Main Characters – Live Wire (1992)

Meet the key characters of Live Wire (1992), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Danny O'Neill (Pierce Brosnan)

FBI bomb expert in charge of the case who is emotionally strained after his child's accidental drowning and estrangement from his wife. He is relentless, inventive, and willing to bend rules to stop Rashid's plan. His professional focus is matched by a personal need to protect his family, which fuels his actions.

🧩 Protagonist 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator

Terry O'Neill (Lisa Eilbacher)

Danny's estranged wife who becomes a focal point of the terrorists' threat. She endures worry about her safety, and ultimately reconciles with Danny after the crisis. Her role underlines the film's personal stakes beyond political intrigue.

💑 Spouse 🧭 Vulnerable

Mikhail Rashid (Ben Cross)

Leader of the terrorist cell developing the invisible liquid explosive. He is calculating, ruthless, and driven by a radical ideology, posing a sophisticated threat to the political establishment. His plan escalates from assassination attempts to a dramatic final confrontation.

⚔️ Villain 🧨 Threat

Al-Red (Tony Plana)

One of Rashid's main henchmen, disguised as a clown during a fundraiser. He demonstrates the terrorists' willingness to parody normal society to execute their plan. His capture and explosive fate highlight the film's theme of deception and danger in public life.

🃏 Henchman 🎭 Trickster

Senator Traveres (Ron Silver)

Targeted senator whose relationship with Terry is a complicating factor in the investigation. He meets a dramatic end when he is killed during the climax after a confrontation with Rashid. He represents political power under threat from radical violence.

🏛️ Senator 🎯 Target

Senator Thyme (Philip Baker Hall)

Another senator figure tied into the political landscape and the security stakes of the era. He and his aides are involved in the high-profile political events that frame the confrontation with Rashid's network.

🏛️ Senator 🗺️ Policy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:04

Major Themes – Live Wire (1992)

Explore the central themes of Live Wire (1992), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💣 Terrorism

A terrorist plot with an invisible liquid explosive drives the plot and creates constant danger for public figures and onlookers. The weapon’s unique mechanism raises the stakes for investigators and civilians alike. The film explores how fear, planning, and security collide in a political setting.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Danny O'Neill's personal tragedy—the drowning of his child and the strain it places on his marriage—fuels his protective drive. The threat to Terry deepens the narrative's emotional stakes, pushing toward reconciliation after the crisis. The film grounds high-intensity action in the cost to a family.

🛡️ Heroism

Danny improvises weapons and confronts danger during the mansion siege, embodying courage under pressure. The story emphasizes steadfastness, quick thinking, and sacrifice in the face of a ruthless threat. The climax blends tactical skill with moral resolve to protect others.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:04

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Race Against Time thrillers like Live Wire

Stories where heroes must prevent catastrophe against a ticking clock.If you liked the breathless urgency of Live Wire, you'll find more movies like it here. These similar stories feature high-stakes countdowns, desperate heroes, and fast-paced action as they work frantically to stop a looming catastrophe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a straightforward escalation: a catastrophic threat is identified, a tight deadline is set, and the hero must navigate a series of obstacles and confrontations to beat the clock. The structure is often linear, building tension consistently towards a final, decisive confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core mechanic of a time-sensitive threat, which creates a consistent tone of desperation and a pacing that is almost always fast. They focus on procedural urgency over complex character development.

Action movies with grieving heroes like Live Wire

Action-packed stories where heroes are fueled by personal tragedy and loss.Explore movies similar to Live Wire where the action is driven by profound personal loss. If you liked the emotional depth and heavy weight behind the hero's struggle, this collection of tense, character-driven thrillers is for you.

grievingmelancholictenseheavydesperateemotional action

Narrative Summary

These stories often begin with or reveal a significant personal tragedy that defines the hero's emotional state. The external action plot serves as a crucible for processing this grief, leading to a climax where the physical victory is intertwined with a step towards emotional resolution, often resulting in a bittersweet ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped because they skillfully blend the high intensity of action with the heavy emotional weight of drama. The shared element of a grieving protagonist elevates the stakes beyond mere survival, creating a more resonant and melancholic tone within a thrilling framework.

Unlock the Full Story of Live Wire

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

Live Wire Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Live Wire, 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.

Live Wire Summary

Live Wire Timeline

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

Live Wire Timeline

Live Wire Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Live Wire 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.

Live Wire Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Live Wire

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Live Wire: 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 Live Wire

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