Year: 1998
Runtime: 111 min
Language: English
Director: Harold Becker
A brilliant and autistic 9-year-old boy named Simon possesses an extraordinary ability: he decodes the US government's highly classified MERCURY code. This makes him the target of dangerous forces seeking to exploit his talent for their own purposes. FBI agent Art Jeffries, operating outside the usual channels, finds himself responsible for Simon's protection. He must evade relentless and ruthless agents determined to capture the prodigy and weaponize his unique gift, turning it into a national security crisis.
Get a spoiler-free look at Mercury Rising (1998) 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 world where the nation’s most guarded secrets can be reduced to a series of numbers, a nine‑year‑old prodigy named Simon holds the key to a code that could upend the balance of power. His extraordinary ability to unravel the encrypted messages that ordinary analysts deem indecipherable makes him both a marvel and a ticking time‑bomb in the eyes of a government that thrives on control. The film opens on the quiet tension of an ordinary suburb, where the ordinary rhythms of daily life mask a hidden battle over information that could reshape national security.
Enter Art Jeffries, a seasoned FBI operative whose reputation for bending the rulebook has earned him both respect and wariness inside the bureau. When the agency realizes that Simon’s talent poses a potential crisis, they turn to Art—an agent who operates on instinct, grit, and a willingness to challenge bureaucracy. His unconventional methods clash with the procedural machinery of Washington, setting up a compelling clash between a lone wolf’s moral compass and the weight of institutional expectations.
The uneasy partnership that forms between Art and Simon is the film’s emotional core. As Art steps into the role of protector, he must learn to navigate the unique world of an autistic savant, whose brilliance is matched by a need for trust and patience. The atmosphere is charged with quiet suspense, laced with moments of humor and humanity that reveal the fragile line between danger and hope. Beneath the surface, unseen forces linger, hinting that the very act of shielding Simon may draw the attention of those who would exploit his gift, promising a tense, high‑stakes journey that tests both characters in unexpected ways.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:06
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.
A lone protector races against powerful forces to save an innocent target.If you liked the high-stakes protection dynamic in Mercury Rising, explore more movies where a lone hero battles a powerful conspiracy to save an innocent life. These tense thrillers feature similar themes of relentless pursuit, sacrifice, and the powerful bond formed under extreme pressure.
The narrative follows a linear pursuit, pitting a skilled but often rogue protector against a well-resourced, ruthless organization. The core journey involves evading capture, uncovering the conspiracy, and forging a protective bond with the ward, culminating in a direct confrontation against the primary threat.
Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared premise of a high-intensity protection mission, a tense and paranoid mood, and the central emotional dynamic between protector and ward, creating a consistently gripping and urgent viewing experience.
An ordinary person uncovers a deadly secret that makes them a target.Discover more paranoid conspiracy thrillers like Mercury Rising, where an ordinary person becomes a target after uncovering a deadly government secret. These films share a tense, urgent vibe and explore themes of corruption, betrayal, and fighting back against an unseen enemy.
The narrative pattern involves a triggering event that reveals a hidden conspiracy, followed by a frantic flight from covert operatives. The protagonist must navigate a world where they cannot trust anyone, uncovering layers of deception while trying to expose the truth before being silenced.
This thread groups movies based on their shared core conflict: an individual versus a corrupt, secretive organization. The consistent elements are a tense, anxious mood, fast pacing driven by pursuit, and themes of institutional betrayal and survival.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Mercury Rising 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 Mercury Rising is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Mercury Rising, 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.
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