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 – Not Safe for Work (2014)

Trace every key event in Not Safe for Work (2014) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ferguson’s final act at Denning

John Ferguson, a whistleblower at Denning, murders several company executives and then commits suicide as police enter the building. The shocking act establishes the danger and corruption surrounding the Denning case. Miller, a paralegal on the matter, is left to navigate the fallout.

Denning corporate building
2

Miller joins Denning case and doubts the trial

Miller is assigned to the Denning case as a paralegal, but he quickly doubts that the coming trial will be fair or effective. Ferguson was their star witness, and his absence leaves the prosecution vulnerable. Miller’s idealism clashes with the firm’s cynicism toward Denning and its power structure.

Denning law firm
3

Gambizzi memo prompts a firing

Miller writes an unsolicited memo about the Gambizzi crime family, drawing the ire of partner Alan Emmerich. Emmerich fires him, labeling his ideas financially unsound and a distraction from the Denning case. The firing marks a sharp turn in Miller's standing at the firm.

Firm offices
4

Late-night decisions and isolation

Roger, Miller’s friend and fellow paralegal, initially commiserates but then returns to the office late to work. Emmerich sends everyone else, including Miller’s girlfriend Anna, home due to a supposed Internet problem. The firm’s internal tension grows as Miller senses he is being sidelined.

Denning law firm
5

A briefcase killer enters

As Miller leaves the building, he sees a man set down a briefcase, and another man retrieves it and enters an elevator. He follows and witnesses the man produce a pistol and murder Janine, a lawyer. The realization that a killer has infiltrated the Denning offices propels the tension.

Outside Denning building
6

Miller hides and finds a guard’s body

Miller hides in a bathroom and discovers the body of a security guard. He alerts Roger to the danger, who questions Miller's plan to save Emmerich. The two men recognize that escaping and staying safe may require acting quickly.

Denning law firm bathroom
7

Roger is killed, Miller is alerted

Before Roger can call authorities, the killer finds and strangles him. Miller’s recharging cell phone chimes, alerting the killer that there are still others inside the building. The killer presses on, widening the threat.

Denning building
8

Emmerich and Lorraine Gambizzi encounter

Miller uses his knowledge of the building to evade capture and finds Emmerich in an office with Lorraine Gambizzi. When the killer breaks in, Gambizzi grabs a pistol, but the killer shoots her first. Emmerich survives but is forced to stay in the office as danger closes in.

Emmerich's office with Lorraine Gambizzi
9

The hitman targets Lorraine Gambizzi

Miller reasons the killer is a Gambizzi hitman sent to kill Lorraine Gambizzi, who was to testify against her husband. The killer then tries to gain entry into the record room, a reinforced vault used as a safe room. Miller prepares to counter his moves.

Record room / vault
10

Anna is drawn back and taken hostage

The killer uses Miller’s recharged cell phone to draw Anna back to the building and taunt Miller. He then takes Anna hostage as soon as she arrives, raising the stakes for Miller.

Denning building
11

The trade attempt and the fake card

Miller tries to trade his access card for Anna's life, but the killer reneges and wounds Emmerich as he shoots at them. The killer gains access to the records and starts a fire in the vault. Miller uses a fake access card to trap the intruder and delay the threat.

Records vault / record room
12

Fire, restraint, and escape

Locked in the vault as shelves burn, the killer chokes and falls unconscious. Miller re-enters to extinguish the fire, and Anna knocks the killer out with a fire extinguisher. Emmerich recovers the killer's pistol and fatally injures him.

Records vault / safe room
13

The killer’s words reveal motive

Curious about the killer's last words, Miller investigates and discovers that Emmerich likely targeted Roger for assassination because of his own whistleblowing about the firm planning to throw the Denning case. The link between the firm and Roger's fate becomes clearer, revealing a network of cover-ups.

Vault / secure area
14

Emmerich’s suicide and the motive revealed

Confronting Emmerich, Miller learns that Emmerich manipulated the Denning case to protect the Gambizzi connection and silence Roger's whistleblowing. Emmerich begs Miller to destroy the evidence, but Miller refuses and Emmerich commits suicide.

Emmerich's office
15

The aftermath: accomplice revealed

As Miller and Anna leave, the killer's accomplice—now revealed to be a police officer—alerts his superiors. A hitman outside the building confirms he has visual confirmation of Miller, signaling that the threat is far from over.

Outside Denning building

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:05

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Not Safe for Work

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Not Safe for Work. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Not Safe for Work

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Not Safe for Work Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Not Safe for Work

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