Mad City

Mad City

Year: 1997

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Costa-Gavras

Budget: $50M

DramaThriller

A captivating story set within a vibrant urban environment, it follows a diverse group of residents who unexpectedly find themselves raising backyard chickens. As they navigate the practicalities of poultry care, they also confront the reactions of their neighbors and broader societal expectations. Through their shared endeavor, they discover the importance of community, explore the rewards of self-sufficiency, and forge unexpected connections with one another.

Mad City (1997) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Mad City (1997) 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 the heart of a bustling metropolis, a venerable museum stands at the crossroads of art, history, and financial uncertainty. The building’s marble halls and polished exhibits serve as a backdrop for everyday struggles—budget cuts, bureaucratic pressure, and the quiet dreams of those who keep its doors open. Within this setting, Sam Baily, a former security guard whose life has been upended by a sudden dismissal, finds himself drawn back into the museum’s shadowed corridors, confronting a crisis that threatens to upend both his personal world and the institution’s fragile stability. Alongside him is Mrs. Banks, the museum’s poised director, whose dedication to the collection is matched only by her concern for the people gathered within its walls.

Across the street, a television news crew is preparing a routine segment on the museum’s monetary woes. Max Brackett, a seasoned but career‑tired journalist, steps into the unfolding drama, seeing in the tension an opportunity to revive his reputation. As he negotiates the delicate balance between reporting and intervening, he becomes the reluctant bridge between the unfolding incident inside and the frantic outside world. The atmosphere crackles with urgency, amplified by the ever‑watchful gaze of cameras and the pulsing rhythm of a city that never pauses.

Behind the scenes, an ambitious intern named Laurie eyes the spotlight, while a charismatic network anchor, Kevin Hollander, looms as both a mentor and a rival to the reporter. Their intersecting motivations create a web of ambition, responsibility, and ethical ambiguity that underscores the story’s central conflict. The tone swings between tense, almost claustrophobic moments within the museum’s stone confines and the frenetic, glossy world of live television, inviting the audience to ponder how media, personal desperation, and institutional pressure can collide in unexpected ways.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:35

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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.

Media Sensationalism Thrillers like Mad City

Thrillers where public spectacle and ethical collapse collide.If you liked the cynical portrayal of media in Mad City, explore more movies about public spectacle and moral compromise. These tense dramas and thrillers examine how ambition and sensationalism exploit human desperation, leading to tragic outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically revolve around a crisis—a hostage situation, a crime, or a scandal—that is seized upon by ambitious journalists or media figures. The story unfolds in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, charting the ethical compromises of the characters as the line between reporting and exploitation blurs, often culminating in a bleak or tragic realization of shared guilt.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared cynical tone, their critique of media ethics, and their focus on how public narratives are manufactured from private pain. They create a gripping, anxious experience by pitting human desperation against institutional ambition.

Claustrophobic Siege Thrillers like Mad City

High-stakes stories of desperation and confinement under pressure.For viewers who enjoyed the high-tension, single-location conflict of Mad City, this collection features movies where characters are trapped in a desperate situation. These stories are defined by their fast pace, gripping anxiety, and exploration of human behavior under siege.

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Narrative Summary

The core pattern is a volatile situation that erupts in a confined setting, like a bank, museum, or building. The plot follows a linear, cause-and-effect chain as negotiations and external pressures escalate. Character arcs are often tragic, driven by desperation and fatal mistakes, leading to an emotionally heavy conclusion where escape or survival feels uncertain.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films based on their shared claustrophobic atmosphere, fast pacing driven by immediate danger, and high emotional intensity. They deliver a consistent experience of anxiety and dread, making the viewer feel the walls closing in alongside the characters.

Unlock the Full Story of Mad City

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

Mad City Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mad City, 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.

Mad City Summary

Mad City Timeline

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

Mad City Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mad City

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mad City. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mad City

More About Mad City

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Mad City: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like Mad City that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.