Surveillance

Surveillance

Year: 2009

Runtime: 97 min

Language: French

Director: Jennifer Chambers Lynch

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

As two federal agents investigate a disturbing murder spree, they find themselves embroiled in a complex case involving a zealous police officer, a struggling addict, and a young girl. Elizabeth Anderson and Sam Hallaway must unravel the secrets of those involved, navigating a dangerous path where deception is rife. Their pursuit of the truth reveals a devastating web of lies and exposes a heavy price for uncovering it.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Surveillance 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 – Surveillance (2009)

Trace every key event in Surveillance (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Bennett and Conrad terrorize the rural road

On a lonely county road, Officer Bennett and his partner Conrad randomly shoot tires and stop unsuspecting drivers. They pretend the tires blew out from speeding, then threaten the motorists. This marks the start of a pattern of brutal, unaccountable violence.

isolated county road
2

Stephanie spots a bloodied car

Stephanie, vacationing with her family, notices a car splattered with blood and alerts her oblivious mother. The sight hints at a prior murder and foreshadows the danger looming over the town. The moment underscores the kids' awareness amid the chilling climate.

rest stop
3

Bobbi and Johnny’s rest stop encounter

Bobbi and her drug-using boyfriend Johnny are in a car behind Stephanie's family when they become aware of the killers' crimes. They discuss the situation in a charged, tense moment at the rest stop. The encounter heightens the sense of danger threading through the scene.

rest stop
4

Harassment and coercion at the rest stop

Bennett and Conrad arrive and harass everyone at the rest stop, escalating the tension. Steven, Stephanie's stepfather, is forced to put Conrad's gun into his mouth as Bobbi is pressured to insult Johnny. The officers' cruelty is front and center.

rest stop
5

The tire-change aftermath

Steven begins changing the tire while Bobbi talks with Stephanie's relatives, who feel violated and powerless. The violation compounds the already fraught atmosphere as the night deepens. The interaction reveals the officers' menace beyond their official duties.

roadside rest stop area
6

Discovery of the bloody car

Bennett and Conrad locate the bloody car Stephanie described earlier. They race back toward a white van, sensing the trail is heating up. The implication is that the couple in the car is connected to the murders.

highway
7

Collision and abduction

The van collides with Johnny's car, killing him and Steven. A dead man sits at the wheel while a live person in a black bag occupies the passenger seat. Bobbi tries to help as chaos ensues and the killers return to finish the scene.

roadside
8

Masks reveal the killers' true nature

Conrad is killed in the chaos and figures emerge from the van wearing rubber masks to murder Stephanie's mother and brother. Bennett is knocked unconscious as Stephanie and Bobbi take refuge in a police car. The identities of the supposed FBI agents begin to unravel.

roadside vicinity
9

Motel discovery and the investigation

Meanwhile, Hallaway and Anderson arrive at a motel where bodies are discovered. Degrasso and Wright are left with the scene, while Degrasso begins to suspect something is off. The investigation starts to unravel the ruse of the two agents.

motel
10

Degrasso's discovery and the trap

Degrasso finds nude pictures of Anderson and Hallaway in the backseat and studies them, realizing the ruse. Anderson watches him closely, trying to gauge whether he’s discovered the truth. He then acts to avert exposure.

police car / motel vicinity
11

Ambush: Degrasso and Wright killed

Anderson shoots both Degrasso and Wright dead and dumps their bodies by the roadside. Hallaway continues to reveal his involvement and claims they were present at the bloodbath. The two agents tighten their cover as the deception unravels.

roadside
12

Bobbi's murder and reveal of sadism

The two killers turn their attention to Bobbi. Hallaway murders Bobbi by strangulation, revealing their sexual sadism and confirming they are serial killers beyond their FBI cover. Stephanie is left exposed to the truth.

police car vicinity / roadside
13

Final call: false identity exposed

A phone message at the police station confirms that the bodies at the motel are a missing woman and two real FBI agents, exposing the impostors. Hallaway and Anderson drive away while Stephanie remains behind, having seen through them. Hallaway remarks that letting Stephanie go was the most romantic gesture, and Stephanie watches their car disappear.

police station / field scene

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Surveillance Summary

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Surveillance Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Surveillance

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Surveillance

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