Skyscraper

Skyscraper

Year: 1996

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Raymond Martino

ThrillerActionAdventureHigh speed and special opsExplosive and action-packed heroes vs. villains

The helicopter’s crew discovers the high‑rise has been seized by terrorists, turning a routine charter into a lethal rescue. The pilot and her husband scramble up the 86 floors, confronting armed captors and relentless danger as they strive to free the hostages.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Skyscraper (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Skyscraper (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Downtown Los Angeles, Zitex Building

Set in downtown Los Angeles, the Zitex Building is an 86-floor skyscraper that becomes the battleground for a terrorist siege. The city buzzes below as a high-security tower is overtaken and a tense hostage crisis unfolds inside. The building’s security systems and surveillance feeds become central to the cat-and-mouse chase between the terrorists and Carrie.

❄️ Urban 🏙️ City 🏢 Skyscraper

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

Main Characters – Skyscraper (1996)

Meet the key characters of Skyscraper (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Carrie Wisk (Anna Nicole Smith)

Helicopter pilot for Heliscort who becomes central to the siege. Trained by her detective husband, she is a skilled marksman, resourceful, and fearless under pressure. She fights to keep the fourth device out of Fairfax's hands and protects hostages, including a boy and his mother, until the climactic confrontation.

🚁 Helicopter Pilot 🎯 Sharpshooter 💪 Resilient

Gordon Wisk

LAPD detective and Carrie's husband. He follows the unusual activity around town, ends up in danger while pursuing Fairfax, and uses his training to help rescue hostages. He is protective and determined to save Carrie, ultimately contributing to the final confrontation.

🕵️ Detective 💪 Protective ❤️ Husband

Fairfax

South African criminal mastermind determined to collect four interlocking devices to shift global power. He is ruthless and calculating, orchestrating the kidnapping and the assault on Zitex with cold precision. He confronts Carrie and Gordon on the rooftop, meeting his downfall as the device remains out of reach.

🧠 Mastermind 💰 Power Seeker ⚔️ Ruthless

Jacques

Fairfax's French assistant involved in the exchanges, loyal to Fairfax until his end. He participates in the building operation and is killed by Fairfax when the plan shifts to a final grab for the device.

🤝 Associate 🗡️ Victim

Cranston

Possessor of the fourth device; mortally wounded during the shootout but escapes with the device and meets Carrie, handing over the suitcase and cautioning her to keep it away from Fairfax. He serves as a catalyst for the final chase and the device’s fate.

💼 Device Holder 🗡️ Wounded Hero 🧭 Key Catalyst

Natasha

Female terrorist on Fairfax's team; participates in the takeovers and exchanges. Carrie ultimately shoots Natasha, eliminating one of the terrorists as the confrontation peaks.

🎯 Terrorist ⚔️ Combatant 👩‍🎤 Antagonist

Security guard

Security guard (uncredited) who traps Carrie in a room, attempts to assault her, and is killed by her in self-defense during the chaos of the siege.

👮 Security ⚔️ Dangerous Conflict

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

Major Themes – Skyscraper (1996)

Explore the central themes of Skyscraper (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Courage

Carrie Wisk demonstrates remarkable resilience under pressure, taking charge when the security system is compromised. She uses her training and quick wit to outmaneuver the terrorists and protect the hostages. The siege showcases a fearless, capable heroine who fights back against overwhelming odds. Her resolve drives the action from start to finish.

🔥 Survival

The crisis forces characters to improvise in dangerous conditions, from lighting fires to trigger alarms to confusing surveillance cameras. Carrie swings down a building on a window-washer rig and dodges gunfire, turning the environment into a weapon. The clock ticks as lives hang in the balance, highlighting the fragility of safety in a city under siege.

🤝 Loyalty & Duty

Gordon and Carrie’s partnership, forged by love and shared duty, underpins their coordinated actions against Fairfax. Their teamwork extends to protecting innocents, including the boy and his mother, and ensuring the fourth device does not fall into the wrong hands. The finale pits family loyalty against ruthless greed in a high-stakes showdown.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:58

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Skyscraper Summary

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Skyscraper Summary

Skyscraper Timeline

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Skyscraper Timeline

Skyscraper Spoiler-Free Summary

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Skyscraper Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Skyscraper

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