Safe House

Safe House

Year: 1998

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Eric Steven Stahl

Thriller

A psychological thriller follows former intelligence operative Mace Sowell as his shadowy past catches up with him while he confronts early‑stage Alzheimer’s. In possession of an electronic key that could expose a presidential front‑runner, he must survive relentless attackers and his own eroding memory.

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Timeline & Setting – Safe House (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Safe House (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The narrative takes place in a modern, present-day setting where cyberspace and digital communication play a central role. References to mail servers, a dead man's switch, and media dissemination place the story in the near-present era. Alzheimer's disease casts additional pressure on truth, memory, and trust in a fast-connected world.

Location

Mace Sowell's home, Dr. Simon's office, Andi Travers's residence

The story largely unfolds within Mace Sowell's fortified home, which doubles as a quiet command center under the threat of a larger conspiracy. The setting emphasizes domestic isolation, as Mace navigates paranoia while his condition clouds others' judgment. Key scenes also move to Dr. Simon's office and Andi Travers's residence, highlighting the tension between care, surveillance, and manipulation.

🏠 Domestic 🧠 Psychological 🚨 Thriller

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Main Characters – Safe House (1998)

Meet the key characters of Safe House (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mace Sowell (Patrick Stewart)

A retired DIA agent whose life is destabilized by Alzheimer's and a belief that his former boss is targeting him. He is cautious, resourceful, and increasingly desperate to protect a world-altering secret. His clarity wanes under pressure, yet he remains determined to expose the threat.

🧭 Former Agent 🧠 Determined 🧩 Strategic

Andi Travers (Kimberly Williams-Paisley)

Hired as an in-home caregiver who gradually becomes entangled in Mace's paranoia. She pivots from cautious assistance to a calculated actor in the escalating drama, testing whether she is ally or adversary.

🧭 Manipulative 🧠 Calculated 🕵️‍♀️ Caregiver

Dr. Simon (Héctor Elizondo)

Mace's psychiatrist who weighs care versus commitment. He offers rational options but is pulled into the ethical gray area of protecting a patient who may be dangerous or delusional.

🩺 Doctor 🧠 Psychiatrist 🗣️ Evaluator

Michelle Sowell-Ross (Joy Kilpatrick)

Mace's daughter who enforces medical and legal safeguards. She sees danger in his behavior and pushes for competency scrutiny, complicating their fragile relationship.

👨‍👧 Family 🧭 Protective 🧠 Skeptical

Stuart Bittenbinder (Craig Shoemaker)

A pool cleaner and friend who supports Mace with drills and informal protection. His loyalty is tested as the line between friendship and manipulation blurs.

🛡️ Loyal 🧰 Handy 🕵️‍♂️ Quasi-ally

Admiral Thomas Michelmore (Richard Livingston)

Mace's former boss and political target who now seeks the presidency. He embodies the threat of power-seeking manipulation and the use of information as a weapon.

🏛️ Politician 🧠 Manipulator 🗡️ Antagonist

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Major Themes – Safe House (1998)

Explore the central themes of Safe House (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Paranoia

Paranoia drives the plot as Mace insists he is under threat from a powerful former employer. The condition of his mind makes it hard for others to separate reality from fear, creating a web of suspicion. Trust is continually tested as allies may be covertly aligned with those who seek to control the information at stake.

🧠 Memory

Mace's early Alzheimer's complicates his ability to prove anything, blurring lines between memory and delusion. The narrative uses memory lapses to cast doubt on what is true, forcing characters to question their own perceptions. The tension hinges on whether the danger is real or a consequence of cognitive decline.

⚖️ Power & Corruption

The dead man's switch and Michelmore's presidential bid reveal how control over information can be weaponized. The pursuit of power drives betrayals, surveillance, and calculated manipulation. The story probes how political ambition can override loyalty and truth.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

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Unlock the Full Story of Safe House

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

Safe House Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Safe House, 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.

Safe House Summary

Safe House Timeline

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

Safe House Timeline

Safe House Spoiler-Free Summary

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Safe House Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Safe House

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