Stretch

Stretch

Year: 2014

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Joe Carnahan

ThrillerComedyAction

A struggling limo driver, trying to stay out of trouble and pay off a debt, accepts a job that quickly turns perilous. His passenger is erratic and carries a ledger containing incriminating information about dangerous criminals. As the night unfolds, the driver finds himself caught in a dangerous game, desperately trying to protect the ledger and survive the night.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Stretch yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Stretch (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Stretch (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The story unfolds in modern-day Los Angeles, amid a culture of celebrity, nightlife, and high-stakes hustling. The timeline is tight and present-focused, with urgent deadlines and fast-changing schemes. Events span a single high-stakes period that highlights the character's downward climb and brief peaks of bravado.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles serves as the film's urban playground, a city of neon-lit streets, studios, and secret clubs where Stretch improvises to survive. The setting stretches from studio lots to midnight clubs, all within a sprawling, sun-drenched metro. The city’s relentless pace mirrors Stretch’s volatile arc between temptation and redemption.

🏙️ Urban 🌃 Nightlife 🎬 Hollywood

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:45

Main Characters – Stretch (2014)

Meet the key characters of Stretch (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Stretch (Patrick Wilson)

A failed actor turned limo driver, Stretch is addicted to cocaine, alcohol, and gambling. He chases a fragile dream of stability while balancing fantasy and danger, and his improvisational skills occasionally save him but often deepen his trouble.

🎭 Protagonist 🌀 Paradox 💼 Limo driver

Candace (Brooklyn Decker)

Stretch’s love interest who provides a possible path to a normal life. She becomes a catalyst for his changes, but ultimately ends their relationship to pursue wealth, forcing Stretch to face his own fragility.

❤️ Love interest 💼 Negotiator 🕊️ Catalyst

Roger Karos (Chris Pine)

An eccentric, hedonistic millionaire who offers Stretch a deal and manipulates the situation for personal gain. His motives remain opaque until the plot’s conclusion, testing Stretch’s nerve and loyalty.

💎 Rich 🎭 Manipulator 🕶️ Hedonist

Karl (Ed Helms)

The bitter ghost of a failed actor who committed suicide, appearing in hallucinatory conversations. He serves as Stretch’s conscience and dark humor, reflecting the consequences of a life spent chasing glory.

👻 Ghost 🗣️ Conscience 🏚️ Past

Laurent (James Badge Dale)

A French criminal whose ledgers hold the key to Karos’s plan. He is later revealed to be an FBI target, and Stretch’s ruse helps shape the chase toward a sharper, more dangerous truth.

🕵️‍♂️ FBI 🗺️ Schemer 🗡️ Rival

The Jovi (Randy Couture)

The mysterious rival who steals Stretch’s clients, representing the cutthroat underworld of the city’s client business. His presence looms over every hustle and power play Stretch attempts.

🕶️ Rival 🧩 Mastermind ⚖️ Power

Naseem (Shaun Toub)

Stretch’s boss who pushes him to steal clients or fold the business. He embodies the pressure of the underworld economy and keeps the stakes high throughout the night’s caper.

🏢 Boss 👔 Authority 🕰️ Deadline

Charlie (Jessica Alba)

Stretch’s sympathetic coworker who tries to help him out with high-paying clients. She becomes the romantic ending revelation when Stretch discovers the blind date is her, completing his arc.

🤝 Ally 💖 Love interest 🧭 Guide

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:45

Major Themes – Stretch (2014)

Explore the central themes of Stretch (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💊 Addiction

Stretch’s lifelong struggle with cocaine, alcohol, and gambling frames his choices and vulnerabilities. The film tracks his descent from dependency toward a fragile, hard-won attempt at change. Each misstep amplifies the costs—debt, danger, and damaged relationships—despite moments of fleeting optimism.

🎭 Identity

Stretch leans on his actor’s mask to improvise, con others, and pretend he is more powerful than he is. The ghost of Karl haunts him, blurring lines between performance and reality. As he navigates lies and reveals, his true self struggles to surface from the illusion.

💰 Criminal Ambition

The film centers on a dangerous power play between Stretch, The Jovi, and Karos, driven by money and control. The scheme relies on deception, quick improvisation, and risk, exposing how far someone will go for debt relief or a taste of success. In the end, ambition collides with consequence, yielding a bittersweet resolution.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:45

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Explore Movie Threads

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One chaotic night survival stories like Stretch

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Narrative Summary

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Why These Movies?

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Narrative Summary

The story balances serious threats and high-intensity action with a stream of situational and character-driven humor. The comedy often stems from the protagonist's flawed coping mechanisms, surreal encounters, or the sheer absurdity of their perilous circumstances, providing relief without deflating the stakes.

Why These Movies?

They share a unique tonal blend of high anxiety and dark comedy, creating a vibe that is simultaneously thrilling, stressful, and funny, often centered on a relatable but deeply stressed protagonist.

Unlock the Full Story of Stretch

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

Stretch Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stretch, 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.

Stretch Summary

Stretch Timeline

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

Stretch Timeline

Stretch Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Stretch 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.

Stretch Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Stretch

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Stretch: 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 Stretch