Not Safe for Work

Not Safe for Work

Year: 2014

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Joe Johnston

Thriller

Tom, a legal firm assistant, notices a suspicious man outside the court and impulsively follows him. His actions lead to a terrifying situation when he becomes trapped in a building with the same man, who reveals himself to be a dangerous hitman. Tom must find a way to survive as he navigates a perilous and inescapable trap.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Not Safe for Work (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Not Safe for Work (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 21st century

Set in the early 21st century, the story unfolds with contemporary office technology and security systems. It centers on corporate litigation culture and the danger of whistleblowing within a powerful law firm. The period provides a realistic backdrop for moral compromise and high-tension confrontations.

Location

Denning Building, Denning Corporate Headquarters

Not Safe for Work largely unfolds inside the Denning building, the nerve center of a powerful pharmaceutical-law firm. The setting features sleek offices, a fortified records vault, and security checkpoints that trap characters during a tense siege. The environment underscores the power dynamics between executives, lawyers, and whistleblowers.

🏢 Corporate Headquarters 🔒 Secure Vault 🧑‍⚖️ Legal Office

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:44

Main Characters – Not Safe for Work (2014)

Meet the key characters of Not Safe for Work (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Anna (Eloise Mumford)

Miller's girlfriend, Anna becomes entangled in the crisis as the killer targets the occupants. She is composed, brave, and resourceful, aiding Miller by resisting the kidnapper and ultimately contributing to the rescue.

💑 Relationship 🧭 Resourcefulness 🧯 Courage under pressure

Tom Miller (Max Minghella)

A paralegal assigned to the Denning case; he is initially idealistic and questions the firm's priorities. He fights to uncover the truth, using his knowledge of the building to navigate danger and protect others.

🧭 Protagonist 🧠 Investigator ⚖️ Moral dilemma

Alan Emmerich (Christian Clemenson)

A senior law firm partner who prioritizes Denning's interests over truth. He fires Miller, manipulates outcomes, and ultimately dies by suicide when confronted with the consequences of his actions.

💼 Power 🧠 Manipulation 🗝️ Secrecy

Lorraine Gambizzi (Marina Black)

A key witness connected to the Gambizzi crime family who becomes a target to silence testimony. Her murder heightens the stakes and fuels the investigation into who is behind the hit.

🕯️ Witness ⚖️ Stakes 🗡️ Victim

Roger (Tom Gallop)

Miller's friend and fellow paralegal; he offers support but becomes trapped in the escalating danger and is killed by the killer.

🤝 Ally 🔍 Suspense 💔 Tragedy

Killer (JJ Feild)

A Gambizzi hitman hired to eliminate Lorraine and others connected to the case. He stalks the building, uses a pistol from a briefcase, and taunts his victims as the clock runs out.

🔪 Assassin 🧭 Impartial 💥 Threat

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:44

Major Themes – Not Safe for Work (2014)

Explore the central themes of Not Safe for Work (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Whistleblowing

John Ferguson's actions stem from a belief that Denning's wrongdoing must be exposed, forcing viewers to consider the costs of speaking out. The film explores how powerful institutions respond to internal dissent with denial, retaliation, and cover-ups. It questions whether truth alone justifies drastic acts when legal and corporate systems fail to act. The tension between transparency and protection of insiders drives the plot.

💼 Power & Corruption

Leverage, money, and reputation shape the decisions of law firm partners who would rather bury evidence than jeopardize profits. Emmerich's manipulation and the suggestion of a Gambizzi crime connection show how crime and corporate power can blur together. The narrative reveals that those at the top can influence outcomes, including life-and-death decisions, through control of information. The film uses the legal setting to critique systemic greed.

🔒 Survival & Confinement

The siege-like chase through a dark office complex forces individuals to rely on wit, devices, and opportunistic trickeries to survive. The danger of being trapped inside a vault and the escalating stakes heighten the tension. Characters must navigate ethical lines while seeking escape, rescue, or justice.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:44

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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.

Corporate Conspiracy Traps like in Not Safe for Work

Ordinary individuals uncover a deadly corporate conspiracy and must fight to survive.If you enjoyed the high-tension survival story in Not Safe for Work, explore more movies where an ordinary person uncovers a deadly secret and becomes trapped by a powerful corporation. These films share a fast pace, claustrophobic settings, and themes of whistleblowing against insurmountable odds.

tenseparanoidurgentsuspensefulcorporate thrillerconspiracysurvival

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an unwitting protagonist who discovers evidence of corporate crime, immediately making them a target. They are physically or systematically trapped, forcing them to use their wits and resourcefulness to outmaneuver professional killers or corrupt security in a confined, high-pressure environment to expose the truth and survive.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared premise of an 'everyman' versus a powerful, corrupt organization, creating an immediate sense of inequality and high stakes. The consistent tone of paranoia and urgent pacing, often in a single location, delivers a specific type of relentless, grounded thriller.

Claustrophobic Cat-and-Mouse Thrillers like Not Safe for Work

Stories of tense survival games confined to a single, inescapable location.Fans of the confined, high-stakes chase in Not Safe for Work will enjoy these similar movies focused on survival in a single location. Discover thrillers that master the art of building tension through limited space, creating an anxious and immersive viewing experience.

claustrophobictensesuspensefulcat-and-mousetrappedsurvivalanxioussingle location

Narrative Summary

The narrative is typically simple and direct: a protagonist finds themselves locked in a building or complex with a dangerous antagonist. The story unfolds in real-time or over a short period, focusing on stealth, evasion, and clever use of the environment in a life-or-dedeath game where escape is the only goal.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their masterful use of a single, confined setting to generate extreme tension and a feeling of entrapment. The shared vibe is one of sustained anxiety, claustrophobia, and a fast-paced, physical struggle for survival, prioritizing atmospheric suspense over complex plotting.

Unlock the Full Story of Not Safe for Work

Don't stop at just watching — explore Not Safe for Work 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 Not Safe for Work is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Not Safe for Work Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Not Safe for Work, 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.

Not Safe for Work Summary

Not Safe for Work Timeline

Track the full timeline of Not Safe for Work with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Not Safe for Work Timeline

Not Safe for Work Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Not Safe for Work 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.

Not Safe for Work Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Not Safe for Work

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