Scorcher

Scorcher

Year: 2002

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: James Seale

Budget: $7M

AdventureThrillerActionDramaTV Movie

Mankind Faces Earth’s Final Days… The only hope for humanity to survive a natural disaster is to detonate a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Scorcher (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Scorcher (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the urban battleground where Beckett must execute a high-stakes plan to save the world. The city’s sprawling streets and dense neighborhoods amplify the urgency as evacuations unfold. The climax centers on a critical operation in the heart of the metropolis, underscoring the scale of the threat.

🎬 Action 🌆 City 🚨 Disaster

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

Main Characters – Scorcher (2002)

Meet the key characters of Scorcher (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ryan Beckett (Mark Dacascos)

Renegade colonel who leads the mission to avert planetary disaster. He is relentless, resourceful, and fiercely protective of his team and daughter. His leadership is tested by treachery within the squad and a ticking clock that could spell doom for the world. He fights to balance pragmatic strategy with personal sacrifice.

💪 Courageous 🧭 Strategic 👨‍👧 Protective

President Nelson (Rutger Hauer)

The U.S. President who orchestrates the crisis response. He exudes authority under extreme pressure and must weigh national security against the personal costs to those on the mission. His decisions set the framework for how the operation unfolds on the ground.

🗺️ Leader 🎯 Strategist

Special Agent Kellaway (Mark Rolston)

A traitorous member of Beckett's squad who resents Beckett and would sabotage the mission if it means Beckett's demise. His duplicity raises the stakes and complicates every step of the plan. His actions drive the climactic tension as the team fights to root out the threat.

🗡️ Ruthless ⚔️ Betrayer 🕵️‍♂️ Schemer

Julie McGrath (Tamara Davies)

A brilliant scientist on Beckett's team who clashes with her father on the project. She also develops a personal connection with Beckett, adding emotional complexity to the mission. Her expertise is crucial to understanding and executing the plan.

🧠 Intelligent 💞 Complex 👩‍🔬 Scientist

Faith Beckett (Rayne Marcus)

Beckett’s teenage daughter who is abducted during the crisis. Her resourcefulness and brave actions—sending an SOS via text—become a catalyst for the rescue and the final moments of the plan. She embodies the personal stakes behind the global emergency.

👧 Determined 🌟 Resourceful 📨 SOS

Dr. Matthew Sallin (John Rhys-Davies)

Senior scientist on the team, involved in the scientific debates and mission strategy. His experience and authority help guide the operation, especially in ecumenical disagreements with Julie’s father. He is a steady voice amid chaos.

🧪 Wise 🧭 Experienced 🧠 Scientist

Janet Hill (Alex Datcher)

A key team member providing support on the operation and coordinating efforts on the ground. Her calm professionalism helps stabilize the team as plans unfold under pressure.

🧭 Steady 🛠️ Supportive 🤝 Teamwork

General Moore (G.W. Bailey)

Military commander coordinating the on-the-ground response and ensuring the operation aligns with broader security objectives. He bridges strategic planning and field action under crisis conditions.

🎖️ Command 🧭 Strategic

Fingers (Sam Lloyd)

A squad member whose role is part of the operative team; contributes to the execution of plan details and logistics. His presence underscores the ensemble nature of the mission.

🎯 Support 🧰 Team player

Tara Beckett (Cathleen Kaelyn)

A member of the Beckett family connected to the project; her involvement adds personal stakes to the crisis and highlights the broader human impact of the mission.

💞 Family ties 🧭 Loyal

Anderson (Thomas F. Duffy)

An official involved in the crisis response, representing the governmental side of the operation. He supports or questions the plan as pressure mounts.

🗺️ Official 🧭 Pragmatic

MacVaughn (Michael Jace)

A member of the team who assists in mission logistics and execution. Brings practical skills and steadiness to the operation.

🧰 Practical 🧠 Reliable

Norris (Billy Maddox)

A team member contributing to the mission’s execution and safety measures. His role reinforces the ensemble dynamic essential to large-scale crisis efforts.

🛡️ Protective 🤝 Loyal

Krissy (Beth Riesgraf)

A member of Beckett’s team with a functional role in the operation. She adds depth to the group dynamics during the high-stakes sequence.

🧭 Capable 🧩 Team player

Tom Billett (Officer) (Tom Billett)

An officer providing on-the-ground coordination during the evacuation and rescue efforts. He helps maintain order as events unfold rapidly.

🚓 Law enforcement 🧭 Coordinated

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

Major Themes – Scorcher (2002)

Explore the central themes of Scorcher (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Disaster

A looming planetary catastrophe drives the plot, with tectonic upheavals and a life-or-death countdown. The three days before impact create relentless pressure on every decision. The film centers on urgent, high-risk actions to avert total devastation.

🛡️ Heroism

Beckett assembles a crack team and leads them through peril to deploy two nuclear devices. Leadership, courage, and sacrifice are tested as the team navigates treachery and danger. The personal cost of heroism is evident in the choices made under fire.

⚔️ Betrayal

An internal traitor within the squad threatens mission success, raising the stakes and trust issues. Loyalties are questioned as the antagonist acts to undermine the operation. The tension culminates in a confrontation that could doom or save thousands.

👨‍👧 Family

Beckett’s relationship with his daughter Faith adds emotional weight to the mission. Her abduction creates a personal deadline that mirrors the global crisis. Family bonds become a central motive for decisive action.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:07

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Scorcher Summary

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Scorcher Summary

Scorcher Timeline

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Scorcher Timeline

Scorcher Spoiler-Free Summary

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Scorcher Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Scorcher

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