Year: 2014
Runtime: 84 min
Language: English
Director: Sam Miller
Budget: $13M
A seemingly perfect suburban life is thrown into turmoil when a charismatic stranger’s dark intentions surface. Terri finds herself fighting for survival as her family is threatened by a dangerous escaped convict. He’s determined to exact a twisted revenge, and she must use every ounce of her intelligence and courage to protect those she loves from his escalating and ruthless pursuit.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of No Good Deed (2014), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the gripping opening sequence, we witness a news report detailing the criminal background of Colin Evans (Idris Elba), who is vying for parole after serving five years for a manslaughter conviction that involved the brutal slaying of a man and five women. During his testimony before the parole board, Colin expresses remorse for his past actions, insisting that he is ready to reintegrate into society. However, the board’s chairman remains unconvinced, branding Colin a malignant narcissist and violent offender, stating the families of his victims would never accept his release. The chairman’s harsh words resonate ominously in Colin’s mind, ultimately leading to his parole being denied.
As Colin is transported back to prison, he feigns injury with a bloody nose and requests assistance. In a shocking turn of events, he seizes a guard’s gun, puts him in a headlock, and swiftly takes control of the situation, leading to a fatal escape when he shoots both the guard and the driver.
Meanwhile, we meet Terri Granger (Taraji P. Henson), as she juggles life at home with her baby Sam while trying to manage a phone call amidst the chaos of landscapers outside and her daughter Ryan (Mirage Moonschein) playing nearby. Terri’s best friend Meg (Leslie Bibb) arrives, noticing Terri’s overwhelming stress, and suggests a girls’ night. Later, Terri’s husband Jeffrey (Henry Simmons) returns home, exuding impatience as he prepares for a trip, despite professing his love for her.
Colin, now in Atlanta, drives a van, stalking a woman named Alexis (Kate Del Castillo). He brazenly breaks into her home and confronts her about an alleged betrayal. The tension escalates to a horrific climax as Colin brutally murders her, echoing the critical voices of his past.
That evening, a storm begins to brew as Terri prepares dinner for her children. After crashing his van, Colin finds his way to Terri’s home under the pretense of needing help. Graciously, Terri invites him in, unaware of his true intentions. As Colin interacts with her and her daughter Ryan, he presents himself as charming and polite, discussing his past heartbreak. However, the atmosphere shifts when Meg arrives, and Colin, suddenly malevolent, murders her with a shovel, concealing her body while Terri remains unsuspecting.
As Terri becomes aware of Meg’s absence, she grows increasingly alarmed at the unsettling signs in her home—cut phone lines and missing knives. The tension mounts when Colin is discovered with Ryan, leading to a desperate confrontation where Terri fights back with a fire extinguisher, trying to protect her children.
Colin forces Terri to drive him away while a terrifying sequence unfolds wherein she attempts to alert a police officer of her perilous situation. Tragically, Colin’s ruthlessness is showcased as he kills the officer, further entrenching Terri in a nightmare.
Forced to return to Alexis’s home, the depth of Colin’s revenge becomes clear as he takes delight in tormenting Terri, tying her up. But with quick thinking, Terri manages to escape her bindings, revealing a shocking revelation of revenge that deepens the tension. As Colin discovers her intent to protect her children, a fierce struggle ensues, advocating for both survival and justice.
In a climactic battle, Terri bravely fights Colin, injuring him before seizing his gun and firing multiple shots until he crashes through the window. As the weight of horror lifts, the police arrive alongside Jeffrey, but the confrontation leaves Terri feeling betrayed.
Time passes, and Terri moves to a new home with her children, carrying the weight of her past but beginning to forge new connections while cherishing memories of her fallen friend Meg. The new chapter is marked by sunny afternoons at the park, symbolizing hope and resilience in the aftermath of darkness.
Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 12:33
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.
Relentless thrillers where sanctuary becomes a deadly trap.If the high-stakes survival story of No Good Deed kept you on edge, explore these movies like it. This collection features similar thrillers and horror stories where a family's safety is shattered by a dangerous home invader, leading to a desperate, claustrophobic fight for life.
The narrative typically begins with a peaceful domestic setting that is violently disrupted by an outside threat. The story unfolds in a confined space, forcing the protagonists to use their wits and courage in a linear, high-stakes battle against a predator who is often psychologically motivated.
Movies are grouped here for their shared core experience: the terrifying premise of home invasion. They deliver a consistent vibe of suspense, claustrophobia, and desperate survival, focusing on the immediate physical and psychological threat to a family unit.
Stories where a charming facade hides a vicious quest for payback.For viewers who appreciated the dark revenge motive in No Good Deed, this list highlights similar movies with psychopathic antagonists driven by a twisted sense of justice. These stories explore betrayal, psychological torment, and the devastating consequences of a vendetta carried out with chilling precision.
These narratives often reveal a past grievance that fuels the antagonist's ruthless campaign. The conflict is deeply personal, pitting a manipulative and vengeful individual against an unsuspecting or vulnerable target. The journey is emotionally heavy, focusing on the psychological damage inflicted as much as the physical danger.
These films are connected by their core theme of intimate, psychologically-driven revenge. They share a dark tone, a focus on a manipulative villain, and a narrative that explores the devastating effects of being singled out for a cruel and personal retribution.
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