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.

Paranoia (2013) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Paranoia (2013) 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 world where technology reigns supreme and corporate empires cast long shadows over everyday life, the relentless drive for dominance shapes every transaction and ambition. The atmosphere hums with the quiet tension of boardrooms and the flashing neon of high‑tech hubs, a place where fortunes are built on code and the line between innovation and manipulation blurs. Within this cut‑throat landscape, two titanic billionaires—each with a storied past and an unyielding rivalry—pull unseen strings, turning the industry into a chessboard where every move could redefine the future.

Enter Adam Cassidy, a talented but unseasoned inventor whose brilliance catches the eye of the power players orbiting the tech hierarchy. Drawn into an alluring promise of wealth and recognition, he finds himself perched on a precarious edge, where a single misstep could jeopardize not only his career but his very safety. The corporate environment tests his ingenuity, demanding a delicate dance between ambition and caution as he navigates corridors thick with intrigue.

Guiding and pressuring him from opposite sides are the formidable figures of Nicholas Wyatt and Jock Goddard. Each billionaire, a master of influence, offers a different vision of success, and both see Adam as a crucial piece in their high‑stakes contest. As he becomes increasingly entangled in their strategic maneuvers, he must weigh loyalty against opportunity, constantly aware that the stakes extend far beyond a simple promotion.

Amid the polished façades and relentless competition, Adam encounters allies and mentors who embody the paradox of this world—people who blend brilliance with moral ambiguity. Their presence hints at hidden loyalties and the possibility of forging an independent path. The film captures the sleek, tense energy of a tech‑driven battleground, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go when the promise of greatness is matched only by the perilous cost of reaching it.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:27

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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 Espionage Thrillers Like Paranoia

Ordinary people blackmailed into high-stakes world of corporate espionage.If you liked the high-tension world of corporate spying in Paranoia, explore these movies where ordinary individuals are coerced into dangerous games of information theft. These films share a fast-paced, anxious energy and explore themes of power, corruption, and redemption within the cutthroat business world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an unwilling participant who is blackmailed or coerced into infiltrating a rival corporation. The plot revolves around the escalating demands of their handlers, the technical challenges of the espionage, and the psychological toll of living a double life. The journey typically involves a moral crisis and a final confrontation to break free from the coercive control.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that capture the specific anxiety of being an unwilling pawn in a powerful conflict. They share a tense, paranoid tone, fast pacing driven by deadlines, and a focus on the psychological pressure of deception rather than just action. The central theme of coercion and the high-tech setting create a distinct, gripping experience.

Movies Where a Character is a Pawn Like in Paranoia

A character trapped as a pawn in a dangerous rivalry between powerful figures.Fans of Paranoia who enjoyed seeing a young employee caught between two ruthless billionaires will find similar tension in these films. This collection features stories where a protagonist is used as a tool in a larger power struggle, creating a gripping narrative of manipulation and survival against overwhelming odds.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who is pulled into a pre-existing feud between two powerful entities. They are used by both sides, often playing a double game, and their personal survival becomes intrinsically linked to the outcome of the larger conflict. The character arc is about navigating this impossible situation and ultimately reclaiming their own power and freedom.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by the core dynamic of a 'triangle of power'—two antagonists and one caught-in-the-middle protagonist. This creates a specific, intense form of suspense where loyalty is fluid and trust is a liability. The shared elements are a tense atmosphere, high personal stakes, and a narrative that explores themes of manipulation and corruption.

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Paranoia Summary

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Paranoia Summary

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Paranoia Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Paranoia

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Paranoia

More About Paranoia

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