The Debt

The Debt

Year: 2011

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: John Madden

DramaThriller

Rachel Singer, a former Mossad agent, is drawn back into a dangerous mission when a Nazi war criminal resurfaces decades after he was presumed dead. Forced to confront her past, she must revisit the traumatic events of a previous operation and grapple with the consequences of choices made long ago. As she investigates, Rachel uncovers unsettling truths and faces a moral reckoning that threatens to unravel her present.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Debt (2011)

Trace every key event in The Debt (2011) 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

Book Release Party

In 1997, Rachel Singer is honored by her daughter Sarah during a release party for Sarah's new book in Tel Aviv. The book recounts the events that transpired in 1965 involving Rachel, David, and Stefan.

1997 Tel Aviv
2

David's Deconstruction

As the book release party unfolds, David is escorted from his apartment by an Israeli government agent. He is soon revealed to be haunted by their past and recognizes Stefan waiting outside, leading to a tragic decision.

3

David's Suicide

Overwhelmed by guilt and the weight of their shared secret, David walks into oncoming traffic and commits suicide. His act reflects the deep emotional scars left by their mission and the lies they have lived.

4

Mission Begins

In 1965, Rachel enters East Berlin as a young Mossad agent alongside experienced agents David and Stefan. Their objective is to capture Nazi war criminal Dieter Vogel, known for his horrific medical experiments during the Holocaust.

1965 East Berlin
5

Undercover Operations

Presenting themselves as a German couple seeking fertility treatments, Rachel poses as a patient at Vogel's clinic. This dangerous assignment tests their resolve and relationships as they delve into a world of deceit.

Vogel's Clinic
6

Debut of Tensions

As the mission progresses, Rachel and David experience a growing attraction. Meanwhile, Rachel chooses to engage in a romantic affair with Stefan, complicated by David's emotional distance due to his tragic past.

7

Vogel's Capture Action

At her final appointment, Rachel successfully injects Vogel with a sedative, making it possible for the team to capture him. They escape with him disguised as paramedics, setting the stage for their dangerous ex-filtration.

Vogel's Clinic
8

Hasty Escape Attempt

As the team attempts to extract Vogel from a heavily guarded station at Wollankstrasse, the operation turns chaotic. With Vogel unexpectedly awakening, a shootout ensues, forcing David to sacrifice his safety for Rachel.

Wollankstrasse Station
9

Captivity Dilemma

Dealing with the fallout of their failed exfiltration, the agents imprison Vogel in their apartment. As the psychological battle escalates, tensions rise, leading to David's violent outburst against Vogel.

Apartment
10

Rachel's Injury

While monitoring Vogel alone, Rachel suffers a brutal attack when he escapes his bonds. Despite her injuries, she manages to shoot him, only to later discover he has vanished into the night.

Apartment
11

Choosing to Lie

In order to protect themselves and avoid political fallout, Rachel and Stefan decide to lie about Vogel's fate, maintaining the fiction that he was killed. This decision haunts them as they gain notoriety as heroes.

12

Personal Conflicts

Years later, during a party in 1970, Rachel confides in David about her unhappy marriage to Stefan. Feeling trapped by family obligations and her circumstances, Rachel ponders leaving everything behind.

1970
13

David's Resolution

David expresses his intent to leave Mossad and start anew, urging Rachel to join him. However, her loyalty to her daughter leads them to part ways, leaving both emotionally wounded by their choices.

14

Confronting the Past

In the present, Stefan reveals information that Vogel has been located in Ukraine. Rachel is compelled to confront their past, leading her to search for the truth about the mission that has haunted them all.

Ukraine
15

Final Confrontation

After discovering an impostor at an asylum, Rachel ultimately confronts the real Vogel. In a life-threatening encounter, she kills him, finally reclaiming her agency and ready to reveal the truth about their mission.

Asylum

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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The Debt Summary

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The Debt Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Debt

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Debt

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