Ticker

Ticker

Year: 2001

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Albert Pyun

CrimeActionAdventureThriller

When the countdown hits zero, you’re dead. San Francisco detective Ray Nettles and his partner Fuzzy must confront a dangerous terrorist cell. After scientist Claire Manning is arrested, leader Swan threatens to bomb the city unless she’s released. Nettles calls explosives expert Frank Glass to stop the attacks.

Ticker (2001) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Ticker (2001) 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 a restless San Francisco where every ticking second feels like a countdown to disaster, a looming terrorist threat casts a shadow over the city’s vibrant streets. The looming danger is defined by a simple premise: when the clock reaches zero, everything changes. This high‑stakes backdrop infuses the film with a relentless, pulse‑quickening tone that blends procedural grit with a thriller’s edge‑of‑your‑seat suspense.

Detective Ray Nettles patrols the city’s underbelly with his loyal partner, Fuzzy. Their partnership is a study in complementary instincts—Ray’s brooding resolve tempered by Fuzzy’s street‑wise optimism. Together they navigate a world where personal loss and professional duty collide, and their chemistry grounds the story amid the looming chaos. The arrest of scientist Claire Manning adds a volatile layer, pulling the detectives deeper into an intricate web of urgency and moral weight.

When the threat escalates, Ray summons the expertise of explosives specialist Frank Glass, a pragmatic veteran whose calm under pressure contrasts sharply with the city’s frantic heartbeat. Glass brings a methodical, almost surgical approach to defusing danger, turning the race against time into a tense collaboration between law enforcement and a seasoned bomb‑squad veteran. Their uneasy alliance underscores the film’s focus on skill, intuition, and the thin line between order and catastrophe.

The atmosphere swirls with a gritty, rain‑slicked aesthetic, amplifying the sense that the city itself is holding its breath. As the countdown ticks louder, the narrative invites viewers to wonder how far the protagonists will push their limits, what secrets lie beneath the surface, and whether the fragile balance they strive to protect can survive the inevitable flash of the final second.

Last Updated: October 23, 2025 at 16:21

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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.

Ticking-clock thrillers like Ticker

High-stakes race against time to prevent a city-wide catastrophe.If you enjoyed the relentless, high-stakes suspense of Ticker, this collection features movies with similar ticking-clock scenarios. Discover other thrillers where heroes race against time to defuse bombs, stop terrorist plots, and prevent urban catastrophe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is built around a clear, immediate threat with a defined deadline. The protagonist, often an expert or detective, must follow a trail of clues and confrontations, facing escalating obstacles as the clock winds down, leading to a final, decisive confrontation.

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Movies in this thread share a core structure of a looming deadline, high-stakes action, and gritty urban settings. They create a consistent feeling of anxiety and relentless forward momentum, appealing to viewers who crave suspenseful, fast-paced procedural thrillers.

Action movies with heavy emotional weight like Ticker

Action-packed stories where personal tragedy fuels the protagonist's fight.For viewers who appreciated the emotional depth in Ticker, this thread gathers action and thriller films where the hero is driven by personal tragedy. Find similar movies that combine high-octane action with a poignant exploration of grief and loss.

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Narrative Summary

The story follows a capable but wounded protagonist whose skills are tested in a high-stakes conflict. Their internal struggle with past trauma runs parallel to the external threat, often leading to a bittersweet resolution where the mission is won, but personal healing remains incomplete.

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This thread groups films that successfully merge the visceral excitement of action genres with the profound impact of drama. The shared focus on a protagonist grappling with loss creates a uniquely heavy and compelling viewing experience beyond standard action fare.

Unlock the Full Story of Ticker

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

Ticker Summary

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Ticker Summary

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Ticker Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ticker

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Ticker

More About Ticker

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