The Samaritan

The Samaritan

Year: 2012

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: David Weaver

Thriller

Seeking redemption after leaving prison, former conman Foley finds a potential new beginning when he meets Iris. However, his past catches up to him in the form of Ethan, the son of his former partner, who plots against him. Entangled in a dangerous scheme of lies and hidden truths, Foley must confront his past and fight to protect his newfound chance at a better life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Samaritan 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 – The Samaritan (2012)

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

Time period

Modern Day

The events of the movie unfold in contemporary society, highlighting issues such as crime, addiction, and the quest for redemption. This modern setting allows for a realistic portrayal of struggles faced by individuals seeking to leave behind their past.

Location

Xavier's nightclub, local bar

Xavier's nightclub is renowned for its glitzy atmosphere and underworld dealings, serving as a backdrop for high-stakes interactions between criminals. The local bar is a more intimate setting where key moments unfold, allowing characters to connect amidst the chaos of their lives.

🏙️ Nightlife 🍺 Bar

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:16

Main Characters – The Samaritan (2012)

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

Foley

Foley is a complex character marked by his troubled past and desire for change. After spending twenty-five years in prison, he is torn between his instinct to protect Iris and his inclination to return to his former life of crime. His journey embodies the struggle for redemption and the burden of guilt.

🕵️‍♂️ Ex-con 💔 Protector

Ethan

Ethan is driven by ambition and familial loyalty, seeking to pull Foley back into the criminal underworld. His relentless pursuit and willingness to leverage dark secrets reveal a ruthless side, making him a significant antagonist in Foley's quest for a better life.

🧑‍💼 Ambitious ⚔️ Manipulative

Iris

Iris is a resilient young woman struggling with addiction, whose connection with Foley becomes pivotal to the narrative. She embodies strength and vulnerability, and her eventual realization of her true connection to Foley adds depth to her character as she seeks to reclaim her life.

❤️ Resilient 🌸 Vulnerable

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:16

Major Themes – The Samaritan (2012)

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

🕵️‍♂️ Redemption

The quest for redemption is central to Foley's character as he strives to escape his criminal past. Throughout the movie, he grapples with his previous actions and seeks to protect Iris, reflecting his desire to forge a new path and regain a sense of humanity.

💔 Family Secrets

The theme of family secrets is intricately woven into the narrative, particularly through the revelation of Iris’s parentage. This shocking discovery complicates relationships and introduces the notion that familial ties can bring both joy and deep emotional turmoil.

⚔️ Betrayal

Betrayal looms large as characters manipulate each other for personal gain. The evolving dynamics, especially between Foley, Ethan, and Iris, underscore how betrayal can stem from both external pressures and internal conflicts.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:16

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

Movies about failed redemption like The Samaritan

Characters seeking a clean slate find their past sins have already sealed their fate.If you liked The Samaritan's story of a conman's desperate fight for a second chance, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This collection features gritty thrillers and dramas where characters are hunted by their past, leading to heavy emotional consequences and morally complex endings.

redemptivetensegrittymelancholicsuspensefulanxiousoppressive

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a protagonist who has paid a debt to society or is attempting to reform. Just as they glimpse hope or form a new connection, a figure from their past—often seeking revenge or forcing them into one last job—re-emerges. The conflict is not just external but internal, pitting their desire for change against the inescapable identity of their former life, culminating in a resolution where true escape often comes at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the theme of inescapable pasts and the emotional heaviness of failed redemption. They consistently feature a dark tone, high stakes, and a steady pacing that builds suspense towards an emotionally weighted, often bittersweet, conclusion where sacrifice is the only path to any form of peace.

Thrillers with paternal secrets like The Samaritan

Protectors with violent pasts discover their charge is directly tied to their deepest secrets.Fans of The Samaritan's twist involving paternity and protection will appreciate these movies. This list features tense, character-driven thrillers where a hardened protagonist's mission to protect someone unravels a life-altering secret, blending crime action with heavy emotional drama.

suspensefultensemelancholicemotionalgrittyredemptiveanxious

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a morally ambiguous protagonist who forms an unexpected bond with a vulnerable individual. The central mystery or threat is gradually revealed to be intrinsically linked to the protagonist's own history, often through a major plot twist involving familial ties. This revelation transforms a general mission of protection into a deeply personal war for survival and atonement, forcing the character to confront their legacy.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific narrative structure that combines the tension of a crime thriller with the emotional depth of a revealed familial connection. They are defined by a moderate complexity stemming from the central twist, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a consistently dark, tense atmosphere.

Unlock the Full Story of The Samaritan

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

The Samaritan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Samaritan, 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.

The Samaritan Summary

The Samaritan Timeline

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

The Samaritan Timeline

The Samaritan Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Samaritan 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.

The Samaritan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Samaritan

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

Similar Movies to The Samaritan

Discover movies like The Samaritan 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.