Stolen

Stolen

Year: 2012

Runtime: 96 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Simon West

ActionDramaThriller

After eight years in prison, ex-con Will Montgomery is released and desperately tries to reconnect with his daughter, Allison. His hopes for redemption are shattered when Allison is kidnapped by his former partner, Vincent, who demands a hefty $10 million ransom. With his daughter’s life on the line, Montgomery is forced to join forces with another former accomplice, Riley, to plan and execute a risky operation. They must overcome dangerous obstacles and race against time to rescue Allison before Vincent carries out his threats.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Stolen (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Stolen (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern issues of crime and familial relationships. This period is marked by advanced technology, such as GPS tracking and high-tech FBI surveillance, which plays a significant role in the plot.

Location

New Orleans, Abandoned Amusement Park

New Orleans is a vibrant city known for its lively music scene, distinct Creole cuisine, and rich culture. The setting provides a backdrop that blends urban hustle with elements of danger and desperation. The abandoned amusement park symbolizes hope and despair as it serves as a crucial location for the climactic showdown.

🏙️ City 🎢 Amusement Park

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Main Characters – Stolen (2012)

Meet the key characters of Stolen (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Will Montgomery (Nicolas Cage)

Will is a former thief trying to redeem himself after serving eight years in prison. He is a complex character torn between his criminal past and his desire to reconnect with his daughter. Will's resourcefulness and determination become evident as he navigates dangerous situations to save Alison from Vincent.

🕵️‍♂️ Thief 🧑‍👧 Fatherly 🔄 Redemption

Alison Montgomery

Alison is Will's daughter, whose relationship with him is strained due to years of absence. Her character embodies innocence and vulnerability, becoming a pawn in her father's struggle. Despite her fears, she displays resilience, especially when she takes matters into her own hands during her captivity.

👧 Daughter 🌪️ Vulnerable 🔄 Resilience

Vincent (Josh Lucas)

Vincent is an old partner of Will who poses a significant threat by kidnapping Alison. His character represents the dark side of betrayal, as he uses deception to manipulate situations to his advantage. Despite appearing to be a villain, his complexities reveal the motivations rooted in desperation.

🚨 Villain 🔪 Manipulative 💔 Desperate

Riley (Malin Åkerman)

Riley is an accomplice from Will's past who agrees to help him commit another heist. Her character balances loyalty with the risks of criminal life. Her pragmatic approach to problems showcases her intelligence and determination to rescue Alison, often putting herself in danger for the greater good.

🤝 Accomplice 💡 Intelligent 🔒 Loyal

Tim Harleno (Danny Huston)

Tim is the detective who previously arrested Will and now seeks to get his hands on the stolen money. He embodies the law's complexity, showing both a sense of duty and a personal stake in Will's actions. His interactions with Will reveal a tangled web of past grievances and uneasy alliances.

👮 Detective 🕵️‍♂️ Lawful 🔄 Complicated

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Major Themes – Stolen (2012)

Explore the central themes of Stolen (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Greed drives many characters in 'Stolen', influencing their actions and decisions. Will Montgomery's desperate need to obtain $10 million leads him back into a world of crime. The concept of wealth becomes a double-edged sword, bringing conflict and danger to those who seek it.

👨‍👧 Family

The theme of family is central to the narrative, as Will strives to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Alison. His actions are motivated by a desire to protect her, highlighting the lengths one will go for loved ones. The strained father-daughter relationship showcases themes of regret and the hope for redemption.

🚔 Betrayal

Betrayal appears in multiple layers throughout the film, particularly in Will's relationships with his former partners. This theme complicates the story, as trust is broken, leading to violent confrontations and unexpected twists, culminating in the final showdown between Will and Vincent.

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Race Against Time Thrillers like Stolen

High-stakes stories where a ticking clock forces relentless action and moral gambles.If you liked the high-pressure chase and constant urgency in Stolen, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread gathers action-packed thrillers where heroes must overcome impossible odds within a tight timeframe, creating a similar feeling of desperate momentum and relentless pacing.

urgentthrillinganxiousdesperatehigh-stakesracetensenail-biting

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a clear, linear goal—rescue, prevent, or retrieve—under severe time constraints. Obstacles are presented rapidly, and the protagonist must make quick, high-stakes decisions, often sacrificing safety or morality to beat the clock. The structure is typically a propulsive series of escalating challenges.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a common engine of urgency. They are united by a FAST pacing, HIGH intensity, and a TENSE tone, creating a specific viewing experience defined by anxiety and the thrill of a countdown. The focus is on the visceral experience of the race itself.

Criminal Redemption Stories like Stolen

Former outlaws are pulled back in for a final score to secure a second chance.Fans of Stolen's theme of a father using his criminal expertise for redemption will find similar stories here. These films explore characters forced to execute one last dangerous job to save someone they love, blending action with emotional stakes and a bittersweet sense of sacrifice.

redemptivegrimtensefatherly lovebetrayalsacrificecrimedesperate

Narrative Summary

The story arc begins with a character attempting to leave their criminal identity behind, only to be dragged back in by a personal crisis. They must navigate the dangerous world they abandoned, confronting former allies and enemies. The ending is often bittersweet; the immediate goal is achieved, but true freedom or a clean slate remains elusive.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by a shared character archetype and narrative structure: the redeemed criminal on a morally gray mission. They typically have a MODERATE complexity, MEDIUM emotional weight focused on relationships, and a BITTERSWEET ending feel, balancing action with a core emotional drive.

Unlock the Full Story of Stolen

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

Stolen Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stolen, 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.

Stolen Summary

Stolen Timeline

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

Stolen Timeline

Stolen Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Stolen that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Stolen Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Stolen

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Stolen: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Stolen

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Discover movies like Stolen that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.