Penthouse North

Penthouse North

Year: 2013

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Joseph Ruben

ThrillerDrama

A blind photojournalist and her boyfriend enjoy a peaceful existence in a New York penthouse, but their quiet life is shattered when a manipulative and dangerous criminal infiltrates their home. He is searching for a hidden fortune, and his presence throws their world into turmoil, forcing them to confront a terrifying threat.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Penthouse North (2013)

Trace every key event in Penthouse North (2013) 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

Afghanistan mission turns deadly

Sara Frost, a photojournalist, enters a building in Afghanistan to capture a life-altering moment. She realizes the baby is an explosive device, and a blast rips through the scene, leaving her permanently blind but alive. The traumatic explosion sets off a chain of consequences that echo back to her in the United States.

During the mission, daytime Afghanistan
2

Plans for life after darkness

Back in the United States, Sara's partner Ryan plans to seal their bond with marriage. She throws herself into organizing a house party to celebrate life after darkness. The effort marks a fragile attempt to reclaim normalcy while coping with her new blindness.

Post-mission United States (home)
3

Cyclist collision and murder discovery

Sara heads out to pick up party supplies, but a cyclist knocks her down on the sidewalk. When she returns, she finds Ryan murdered in the apartment and a shadowy intruder closing in. Fear and confusion grip her as the killer resumes the pursuit.

Evening Sara’s apartment
4

The intruder reveals himself

The brutal intruder, later named Chad, holds Sara at blade-point and demands the diamond Ryan supposedly stole. She is forced to comply, but a chance to strike presents itself and she knocks him unconscious and escapes. The encounter establishes the deadly game they are about to play.

Night Sara’s apartment
5

Basement plea for help and murder

Sara flees to the basement and calls out for help, hoping a friend will intervene. Antonio hears her, but Chad’s ruthless action ends Antonio’s life, blocking any rescue. The basement becomes a corridor of danger as Sara staggers on.

Shortly after escape Basement of Sara’s building
6

Hollander appears and offers protection

On the street Sara is briefly found and then drawn back into danger by Hollander, a man who offers protection and a plan to keep her safe. Inside the building, the uneasy alliance with Chad becomes clear as the two men reunite to pursue the supposed diamonds. Sara senses nothing is what it seems as danger closes in.

Soon after the basement incident Street and Sara’s building
7

Canvassed photo reveals cash and Ryan’s underworld ties

Inside Sara’s penthouse, Chad and Hollander search for the diamonds and discover a canvassed photo hiding a stash of cash, revealing Ryan’s ties to the violent underworld. The revelation shifts Sara from victim to someone central to a larger scheme. They intensify their search, convinced the diamonds are hidden in the penthouse.

Night Sara’s penthouse
8

Hollander locks Sara away to control her

Hollander storms out, tossing Sara’s cat aside, and locks her away again to maintain control. The isolation heightens the stakes as Sara looks for any chance to outsmart her captors. The penthouse becomes a trap she must escape from.

Later same night Penthouse
9

Sister Blake and Danny arrive for the party

Blake and her husband Danny arrive for the long-planned New Year’s party, unaware of the danger inside. Sara urges them to leave to maintain the ruse and buy herself time. The festive veneer clashes with the growing threat surrounding them.

New Year’s Eve Penthouse, Sara’s building
10

Chad’s plan to extract diamonds via ice cubes

Hollander orders Chad to fix a drink and to extract the diamonds hidden in ice cubes. Chad’s discovery of the stash escalates the confrontation and raises the stakes for Sara’s safety. The moment brings the two antagonists into closer proximity within the penthouse suite.

Evening Penthouse balcony area
11

The deadly confrontation escalates

A struggle unfolds and Chad is shot by Hollander, removing one threat briefly. Sara then stabs Hollander in the back with a garden tool to turn the tables. Chad briefly revives to attack Hollander, who fatally stabs him with Chad’s own blade.

Midnight Inside the penthouse
12

Sara regains focus and shoots Hollander

Sara relies on her sharpened senses to aim and shoot Hollander, using her hearing to guide her shot. A flurry of New Year’s Eve fireworks triggers a haunting Afghanistan flashback that momentarily unsettles her. She regains focus and fires, the gun aimed squarely at Hollander as the danger climaxes on the balcony.

Midnight on New Year’s Eve Balcony
13

Diamonds re-hidden and cat’s quiet triumph

In the end, Sara reveals she has kept the diamonds in her hand all along and re-freezes them in the ice tray. The final image shows her cat calmly walking across Hollander’s corpse, a quiet reminder of resilience after a night of peril.

After the confrontation Penthouse / balcony

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:33

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Intense Home Invasion Thrillers Like Penthouse North

Vulnerable protagonists must outwit invaders in their most intimate and safe space.If the relentless tension of 'Penthouse North' had you on the edge of your seat, explore more movies like it. This list features similar suspenseful crime thrillers and survival stories where protagonists face terrifying threats during a home invasion. Discover films with fast pacing, high intensity, and a desperate fight for survival in a confined space.

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Protagonists with a disability must rely on unconventional strengths to survive.If you were fascinated by the blind protagonist's unique struggle in 'Penthouse North', you'll enjoy these similar movies. This collection highlights suspenseful and tense thrillers where characters with disabilities use their strengths to overcome danger. Find films with heavy emotional weight, straightforward plots, and a focus on survival against the odds.

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The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist whose perceived vulnerability is exploited by antagonists, only to be used against them. The story emphasizes the character's adaptation and resilience, as they navigate threats using senses or skills that their opponents underestimate, leading to a satisfying reversal of power dynamics.

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This thread groups movies based on a unique character-driven hook that defines the conflict. They share a tense, anxious mood as the viewer experiences the world through a limited perspective, creating a distinct form of suspense and a powerful theme of overcoming adversity.

Unlock the Full Story of Penthouse North

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

Penthouse North Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Penthouse North, 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.

Penthouse North Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Penthouse North

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Penthouse North

Penthouse North Spoiler-Free Summary

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Penthouse North Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Penthouse North

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