Oxygen

Oxygen

Year: 1999

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Shepard

ThrillerDramaMysteryCrimeCrime drugs and gangsters

When housewife Frances Hannon is abducted and buried alive, detective Madeline Foster is called in. With only 24 hours of air left, Madeline races against time, following clues left by a killer who calls himself Harry Houdini. She captures him and tries to force a confession, but he manipulates her unstable, alcoholic mind as the clock ticks down.

Oxygen (1999) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Oxygen (1999) 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 quiet suburban landscape where the veneer of normalcy masks an undercurrent of dread, the story unfolds with a relentless sense of urgency. The ordinary rhythm of daily life is shattered when a seemingly routine evening takes a terrifying turn, setting the stage for a high‑stakes race against an invisible clock. The atmosphere is tight‑knit and claustrophobic, a place where every whispered wind through the trees feels like a reminder that time is slipping away.

Frances Hannon, a devoted housewife, finds herself thrust into a nightmarish ordeal that forces her into a desperate fight for survival. As the air thins and the hours dwindle, the world around her becomes a blurred backdrop to a brutal test of will. Meanwhile, Madeline Foster, a seasoned detective haunted by her own personal demons, is summoned to untangle the mystery. Her reputation for tenacity is matched only by the internal battles she wages, creating a compelling contrast between professional duty and fragile humanity.

The tension mounts as Harry Houdini, a shadowy figure who calls himself by the famed escapist’s name, leaves a trail of cryptic clues that beckon the detective deeper into his twisted game. Each revelation tightens the coil of suspense, turning the hunt into a psychological duel where breathlessness and brilliance collide. The film’s tone balances cold, methodical dread with flashes of frantic hope, immersing the audience in a pulse‑pounding chase that feels both intimate and unrelenting, leaving viewers perched on the edge of every breath.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:29

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Oxygen Summary

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Oxygen Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Oxygen

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Oxygen

More About Oxygen

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