The Contract

The Contract

Year: 2006

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Bruce Beresford

DramaActionThrillerCrime

Haunted by recent family trauma, an ex‑lawman takes his young son on a quiet hike in the woods seeking peace. Their retreat turns deadly when they encounter a ruthless contract killer, forcing the former officer to confront an adversary who matches his lethal skills.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Contract (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Contract (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s

The story unfolds in contemporary America, reflecting the early 21st century’s approach to law enforcement and private security. Modern vehicles, communications, and medical settings anchor the plot in this recent era. The pacing and style lean into a present-day suspense framework, with a focus on procedural realism and urban-rural contrasts.

Location

Wilderness, Cabin in the Woods, Hospital, Washington, D.C.

The action moves through remote wilderness and a tense cabin setting, with pivotal scenes unfolding in a hospital when the marshal is injured. The harsh, isolated environment underscores the cat-and-mouse chase between pursued and pursuers. Washington, D.C. later becomes the stage for a high-stakes confrontation and public reckoning, blending private peril with broader implications.

🏞️ Wilderness 🏥 Hospital 🏛️ Washington D.C.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:23

Main Characters – The Contract (2006)

Meet the key characters of The Contract (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frank Carden (Morgan Freeman)

A consummate professional assassin hired to eliminate Lydell Hammond Sr. He exudes cool precision, viewing the hit as a coldly executed contract. His plan is complicated by a car crash and a relentless pursuit that tests his control and resolve.

🗡️ Assassin 🎯 Target

Ray Keene (John Cusack)

A widowed, well-meaning former cop and high school gym teacher who desperately wants to bond with his son Chris. He is thrust into a life-threatening chase and rises to protect his boy, often improvising under pressure.

👨‍👦 Father 🛡️ Protector

Chris Keene (Jamie Anderson)

Ray’s son, a high school student whose impulsive choices bring him into contact with danger. His attitude and vulnerability push his father to act, fueling the chase and emotional stakes.

👦 Son 🧭 Rebellious

Miles (Alice Krige)

The mission's handler who orchestrates the hit, manipulating events from behind the scenes. She drives the assignment and negotiates with others to ensure the contract’s execution.

🧭 Planner 💼 Handler

Davis (Corey Johnson)

Carden’s recent recruit tasked with carrying out the assassination. Loyal to Miles and skilled in his craft, he confronts moral ambiguity as the plan unfolds.

🗡️ Assassin 🎯 Target

Lydell Hammond Sr. (Bogomil Atanasov)

A reclusive billionaire and outspoken opponent of stem cell research; his public stance makes him the principal target of the contract and a symbol of the ideological clash at the story’s core.

💰 Wealth 🧬 Science

Lydell Hammond Jr. (Mark Johnson)

The son of Hammond Sr., a young figure caught in the crossfire of his father’s public stance and the ensuing conflict. His presence amplifies the personal stakes of the tragedy.

👦 Teen 💡 Influence

Sandra (Megan Dodds)

A key figure connected to the events who intersects with Ray and Chris during the pursuit. She navigates danger and contributes to the unfolding drama before and after the chaos.

👩‍💼 Ally 🕊️ Ally

Lochlan (Ryan McCluskey)

A casualty in the crossfire whose death heightens the urgency and danger of the pursuit, underscoring the cost of violence.

💔 Loss ⚠️ Risk

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:23

Major Themes – The Contract (2006)

Explore the central themes of The Contract (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👨‍👦 Family vs Duty

Ray Keene’s drive to connect with his son Chris sits against the backdrop of a deadly assignment. The threat of violence strains fatherly responsibility and pushes Ray to make dangerous choices. The wilderness pursuit tests whether personal bonds can override professional obligations. The film uses this dynamic to propel emotional investment amid high-stakes action.

🗡️ Power and Control

A covert contract economy motivates the plot, with Miles manipulating Davis to carry out the hit under the banner of progress. The story reveals how money, authority, and expertise can corrupt law enforcement and private security alike. Tactics evolve into a dangerous power struggle as allies become enemies and vice versa. Ethics are traded for leverage as lives hang in the balance.

🕵️ Truth and Deception

False identities and hidden motives propel the narrative, with information weaponized to steer outcomes. Miles’s behind-the-scenes orchestration reframes who can be trusted and why. Alliances shift under pressure, and the line between hunter and hunted blurs as the truth surfaces in confrontations and televised moments. The climax hinges on deciphering lies in a web of calculated moves.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:23

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Father-Son Survival Thrillers like The Contract

Protective parents and endangered children facing lethal threats in hostile environments.If you liked the protective father figure and vulnerable son dynamic in The Contract, find more movies like it here. These high-intensity thrillers focus on survival stories where family bonds are tested by lethal professional threats in isolated settings.

tensesuspensefulanxiousgrittyrelentlessprotectivesurvival

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a skilled but often retired protagonist who is forced back into action when their child is targeted. The plot is a linear, desperate fight for survival, pitting raw paternal instinct against cold, professional opposition, often in a confined or wilderness setting.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core premise: a high-stakes, action-driven plot centered on the primal theme of protecting one's child. They blend heavy emotional weight with relentless pacing, creating a tense, anxious, and gritty viewing experience.

Bittersweet Crime Thriller Endings like in The Contract

Stories where stopping the villain comes at a deep personal or moral cost.For viewers who appreciated the complex, not-entirely-happy resolution of The Contract, this list features similar movies with bittersweet endings. Discover crime thrillers and action dramas where the good guys win, but at a significant personal cost, leaving a lasting impact.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist confronting a dark world—often crime or assassination—to achieve a primary goal, such as saving a life. However, the journey exposes them to moral grey areas, and the conclusion, while stopping the immediate threat, acknowledges that some problems remain unsolved and some wounds may never fully heal.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared emotional payoff: a conclusion that balances survival with loss. They deliver on thriller excitement but resonate because the victory feels earned and human, acknowledging that some battles leave permanent marks, which creates a more thoughtful and heavy viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of The Contract

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

The Contract Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Contract, 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 Contract Summary

The Contract Timeline

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

The Contract Timeline

The Contract Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Contract 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 Contract Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Contract

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

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