Shattered

Shattered

Year: 1991

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

MysteryThrillerThrillers and murder mysteriesNoir and dark crime dramasTwisted dark psychological thriller

After a car crash leaves Dan Merrick with amnesia, he learns he’s married to Judith, who helps him restart his life. Haunted by flashbacks of a love he can’t forget and a murder he can’t recall, Dan meets Gus Klein, a pet‑shop owner who also works as a private detective and had previously worked for Dan. Klein aids him in uncovering the truth behind his fragmented memories.

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Timeline & Setting – Shattered (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Shattered (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Northern California coast, shipwreck site, coastal road, hotel, wooded area, San Francisco

Set along the rugged northern California coast, the story moves between cliffside drives, a desolate shipwreck, and intimate interiors. The coastal environment with fog, wind, and the ever-present sea creates a moody backdrop that mirrors memory loss and tension. Key scenes unfold at the shipwreck slated for removal, a hotel, and various private spaces, grounding the drama in tangible locations.

❄️ Mystery 🎭 Drama 🔎 Investigation 💔 Infidelity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:54

Main Characters – Shattered (1991)

Meet the key characters of Shattered (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Judith Merrick (Greta Scacchi)

Judith is Dan's wife whose secret affair with Jack Stanton destabilizes their marriage. She orchestrates the accident's cover-up and manipulates those around her to maintain control. Her calculated actions drive the plot toward a dangerous confrontation and reveal a chilling willingness to do whatever it takes to protect her life.

💔 Infidelity 🕵️‍♀️ Deception

Dan Merrick (Tom Berenger)

An architect who suffers brain trauma and psychogenic amnesia after a car crash, Dan returns home unable to recall his past. He relies on others to reconstruct his identity, but his memory fragments lead him to question the stories he's been told. As clues surface, he discovers he may not be who he believes himself to be.

🧠 Amnesia 🧭 Identity

Jack Stanton (Scott Getlin)

Jack Stanton is the man who becomes entangled with Judith and the deception surrounding Dan's supposed past. He is revealed to be the real person behind the manipulated past and plays a pivotal role in the unfolding truth. His true identity is a central pivot in the plot's twists.

🔎 Deception 💔 Betrayal

Jenny Scott (Joanne Whalley)

Jenny is Jeb Scott's wife who confronts Judith about the affair and helps expose the mounting deceit. She becomes a casualty in the escalating confrontation, her death heightening the stakes. Her fate marks a turning point that accelerates Dan's pursuit of truth.

💔 Infidelity 🕵️‍♀️ Investigation

Gus Klein (Bob Hoskins)

Gus Klein is a rough-edged pet shop owner who doubles as a private investigator for hire. He aids Dan by tracking Judith and participating in wiretaps, playing a crucial role in uncovering the truth. He survives a dangerous encounter and assists in exposing the deception.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation 💥 Danger

Jeb Scott (Corbin Bernsen)

Jeb is Dan's business partner and Jenny's husband; he becomes involved in the complex events surrounding the alleged past. His involvement adds another layer to the intertwined relationships and motives.

👥 Business 🕵️‍♀️ Deception

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:54

Major Themes – Shattered (1991)

Explore the central themes of Shattered (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Identity & Memory

Amnesia drives the plot, forcing the protagonist to reconstruct his past from fragments. The memory gaps create suspense as truth clashes with perception. The film questions whether a person is defined by memory, or by the stories others tell about them. The twist blurs the line between victim and perpetrator, revealing a manipulated identity.

💔 Betrayal

Infidelity fuels the conflict, with Judith's affair acting as a catalyst for a deadly cover-up. The relationship fractures as hidden connections are revealed through photos and confrontations. Deception escalates into a murder plot and a perilous pursuit. The personal betrayals heighten the film's moral ambiguity and suspense.

🔎 Truth & Deception

Evidence, surveillance, and selective memory are used to obscure the real truth. A private investigator and a web of lies push characters toward dangerous discoveries. The shipwreck becomes a focal point where hidden histories surface and identities are questioned. The climax redefines motive and forces the audience to reevaluate what is real.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:54

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Shattered Summary

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Shattered Summary

Shattered Timeline

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Shattered Timeline

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