Paranoia

Paranoia

Year: 2013

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Luketic

Budget: $35M

DramaThriller

In a fiercely competitive world dominated by tech giants, two powerful billionaires are locked in a bitter rivalry rooted in a shared history. A promising young employee finds himself unexpectedly drawn into their dangerous game of corporate espionage, tempted by the promise of immense wealth. He soon discovers that navigating this high-stakes conflict involves a precarious balancing act, where his safety and future hang in the balance as he’s caught between the two powerful figures.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Paranoia yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Paranoia (2013) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Paranoia (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Adam Cassidy, Liam Hemsworth, is a low-level inventor who works for a powerful corporation led by Nicholas Wyatt, Gary Oldman. After a firing for insubordination, he uses the company’s credit card to pay for bottle service for his friends at a club, triggering a coercive trap: Wyatt and his enforcer, Miles Meachum, threaten to have him arrested for fraud unless he becomes a corporate spy.

Wyatt and Meachum pull the strings to push Adam into a dangerous betrayal, and Adam is trained by Judith Bolton before infiltrating a rival company run by Jock Goddard, Harrison Ford. There, Adam supplies Goddard with advanced software capable of hacking into cellphones, software that could have serious military applications. As this fragile web of deceit tightens, FBI Agent Gamble interrogates Adam, revealing that three other Wyatt transfers to Goddard’s outfit were found dead, though Adam chooses to ignore the warning signs.

In the midst of the high-stakes covert work, Adam discovers Emma Jennings, Director of Marketing at Goddard’s company. He begins a tense, cautious relationship with Emma to gain access to files about Goddard’s upcoming projects, using charm and subterfuge to stay one step ahead. Meanwhile, Wyatt escalates his threats, threatening to kill Adam’s father, Frank Cassidy, if Adam does not steal a revolutionary prototype cellphone known as Occura, developed by Goddard.

As the pressure mounts, Bolton and Meachum monitor Adam’s every move, prompting him to destroy the cameras in his apartment. In retaliation, Meachum orchestrates a brutal hit, running over Adam’s friend Kevin with a car and leaving him hospitalized. Adam is then given 48 hours to steal the Occura prototype.

With limited time, Adam uses Emma’s thumbprint—lifted from a spoon—to bypass security and access the vault. In a tense confrontation, Goddard, intent on seizing Wyatt’s company, corners him, while Emma realizes Adam used her, adding personal stakes to the corporate crime spree. Adam hatches a plan and recruits Kevin to help, setting up a pivotal meeting between Wyatt and Goddard as Bolton’s true loyalties come into question; both men acknowledge the crimes they’ve committed to sabotage each other’s empires.

Adam secretly uses the same software to transmit their conversation to Kevin, whose computer recordings are handed to the FBI. Gamble and the agents close in, arresting Goddard, Wyatt, Bolton, and Meachum, and Adam is released for contributing to the investigation. In the aftermath, he launches a small Brooklyn startup with Kevin and their friends, and, after reconciling with Emma, seals the moment with a passionate kiss, signaling a new, steadier future built on honesty and collaboration.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 01:16

Unlock the Full Story of Paranoia

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

Paranoia Timeline

Track the full timeline of Paranoia with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Paranoia Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Paranoia

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Paranoia. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Paranoia

Paranoia Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Paranoia 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.

Paranoia Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Paranoia

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Paranoia: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Paranoia

Similar Movies to Paranoia

Discover movies like Paranoia that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.