Target Number One

Target Number One

Year: 2020

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Roby

Echo Score: 63
ThrillerCrimeCrime

Former heroin addict Daniel Léger becomes entangled in a drug deal, leading to disastrous consequences. After the deal turns wrong, he finds himself imprisoned in Thailand and sentenced to a century behind bars. While struggling to survive his incarceration in Bangkok, the case attracts the attention of Globe and Mail journalist Victor Malarek. Malarek begins investigating the corrupt undercover police officers who framed Daniel and are responsible for his predicament, determined to expose the truth.

Target Number One (2020) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Target Number One (2020) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sweltering streets of Bangkok, a once‑lost soul named Daniel Léger finds himself far from home, caught in a legal nightmare that seems as impenetrable as the city’s maze of tuk‑tuks and neon. The film opens on his stark reality behind bars, a place where language barriers and cultural dislocation amplify the sense of isolation. The atmosphere is heavy with humid tension, underscored by a soundscape that blends the distant hum of traffic with the echo of distant prayers, hinting at both the physical and existential confinement the protagonist endures.

Across the world, a determined journalist from Canada, Victor Malarek, wrestles with newsroom politics and a mounting pressure to shift from hard‑talk reporting to softer magazine pieces. When a baffling overseas case lands on his desk, his investigative instincts are reignited. The tone shifts to a cooler, procedural rhythm as he navigates diplomatic corridors, bureaucratic red tape, and the moral weight of uncovering truth for a stranger on the other side of the globe. The contrast between the bustling, oppressive heat of Bangkok’s prisons and the polished, ordered offices of the newspaper creates a visual and thematic tension that drives the narrative forward.

The story folds these two parallel journeys together, pairing the raw, personal struggle of a man fighting for survival in an alien justice system with the relentless pursuit of a reporter seeking accountability. Their paths intersect through whispered conversations, tentative interviews, and a shared yearning for clarity amid opaque institutions. The film’s mood balances gritty realism with moments of quiet introspection, inviting the audience to contemplate the cost of truth and the fragile bridge that can connect disparate lives across continents.

Last Updated: October 11, 2025 at 19:38

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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.

Investigative journalism thrillers like Target Number One

Chronicling the high-stakes pursuit of truth by dedicated reporters.If you were captivated by the journalistic pursuit of truth in Target Number One, this collection features similar movies where dedicated reporters uncover corruption. These films share a tense, procedural feel, high emotional stakes, and a focus on the power of journalism.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a central investigator, often a journalist, as they methodically piece together a hidden truth against powerful, resistant forces. The plot typically unfolds through research, interviews, and facing threats, building tension as the protagonist gets closer to the dangerous core of the story.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the investigative process, the tense atmosphere of uncovering secrets, and the heavy emotional weight of confronting systemic injustice. They deliver a specific, satisfying intellectual thrill.

Movies about surviving injustice like Target Number One

Stories of resilience and endurance against overwhelming systemic injustice.For viewers moved by the harrowing prison survival story in Target Number One, this list includes films with similar themes of enduring false imprisonment and fighting for freedom. These stories are characterized by their heavy emotional weight, oppressive settings, and themes of resilience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist wrongly accused or trapped in a horrifying situation, testing their physical and mental limits. The journey is one of pure endurance, focusing on daily survival and the faint glimmer of hope, often leading to a bittersweet resolution where freedom is earned at a great cost.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their oppressive atmosphere, the heavy emotional focus on a character's suffering and resilience, and the central theme of battling an unfair system. They deliver a powerful, often difficult, but ultimately hopeful viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Target Number One

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

Target Number One Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Target Number One, 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.

Target Number One Summary

Target Number One Timeline

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

Target Number One Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Target Number One

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Target Number One. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Target Number One

More About Target Number One

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More About Target Number One

Similar Movies to Target Number One

Discover movies like Target Number One 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.