Traces of Red

Traces of Red

Year: 1992

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Andy Wolk

DramaActionThrillerCrimeMystery

When a string of murders shocks Palm Beach, detective Jack dives into a tangled investigation. Every victim is a woman connected to him, and his partner is left without solid leads as the list of suspects swells. The killer taunts them with anonymous letters, and the body count keeps rising.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Traces of Red (1992)

Trace every key event in Traces of Red (1992) 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

Opening frame: Jack's shooting and flashback setup

The film opens with Jack Dobson, a Palm Beach homicide detective, flat on his back with a bullet in his chest. The scene then shifts into a flashback to show the events leading up to this moment. We are introduced to threatening letters and the sense that danger is closing in.

Opening frame
2

Threats signal a mob-linked case

Jack and his partner Steve Frayn investigate the threats and conclude a mob figure is likely involved, especially as Jack prepares to testify. They also consider that someone could be targeting Jack’s brother Michael, who is running for public office. The stakes are both personal and professional.

Early Palm Beach
3

Serial killings begin and Ellen enters the picture

Women begin turning up dead with lipstick traces left by the killer, establishing a chilling signature. Jack’s relationship with Ellen Schofield grows as he becomes more entangled in the case. The murders heighten the tension around Jack personally and professionally.

Early-Mid
4

Alleged link between Jack and a victim

Ellen sees Jack leaving a restaurant with another woman who then becomes a victim, casting suspicion on Jack himself as the killer. The pattern of murders fuels paranoia and strains Jack’s relationships. The case tightens around him as new leads emerge.

Mid Restaurant
5

Jack's childhood trauma revealed

Jack reveals that he was raped as a child by his former 1st grade teacher, Gloria Wurtz. The confession deepens the audience's understanding of his trauma and how it has shaped his actions. It also foreshadows the complex layers of motive and identity at play in the investigation.

Reveal
6

The true source of the rape is revealed

While speaking with Michael, Steve learns that the rapist was actually Jack’s own mother, a revelation that shatters assumptions and reframes the case. The discovery adds a startling familial twist to the investigation. This knowledge guides the characters toward a dangerous path.

Reveal
7

Steve's investigation and the Ellen affair

Steve decides to persist with his investigation and ends up having sex with Ellen, despite the implications. His wife and Jack react with dismay, feeling betrayed by his actions. The affair intensifies the personal stakes surrounding the case.

Mid
8

Ellen’s death and the getaway plan

Following Ellen’s death, Jack takes Beth, Steve’s wife, to a secluded getaway home after Steve confides his trust in him. The move creates a dangerous setup for what will come next. The tension escalates as truths begin to surface.

After Ellen's death Secluded getaway home
9

Confrontation closes in at the getaway

Steve and Michael reach the getaway and confront the possibility that Jack is the killer as they search for evidence. The confrontation tightens the noose around Jack's alleged guilt. Tension peaks as they close in on the truth.

Climax phase Secluded getaway home
10

Jack’s escape attempt and the fatal shot

In a tense moment, Jack holds Beth and seems ready to strangle her, but Steve yells for him to freeze. Jack pushes Beth aside and draws his gun, but Steve shoots him before he can fire. Jack, in narration, hints that the story isn't over.

Immediate aftermath Getaway home
11

The twist: Michael is the real killer; Jack faked his death

It’s revealed that Michael is the true killer and Jack’s 'death' was staged to mislead him. Jack's ruse was meant to let Michael believe he was dealing with a dead rival while the real plan unfolded. This twist reframes everything that came before.

Twist reveal
12

Hotel-room trap and the alive reveal

Michael is lured into a hotel room with a woman; he attempts to strangle her, and Steve bursts in. Jack then tells Steve and the woman to leave so he can handle Michael alone. The twist hits again as Jack reveals that he is alive and in control of the situation.

Climax Hotel room
13

Final confrontation ends in suicide

Jack and Michael confront each other; Michael manages to take Jack's gun and shoots himself in the temple. The long game of deception collapses as Michael dies, leaving Jack and Steve to process the aftermath. The truth finally comes to light in stark fashion.

Final confrontation Hotel room
14

Funeral and a cautious future

With Michael's death, his funeral takes place and Steve asks Jack if he's ready for what comes next. Jack answers, 'I will be,' signaling a cautious but resolute turn toward moving forward after the harrowing events. The film closes on a note of tentative hope and acceptance.

Post-climax Funeral
15

Epilogue: reflections on deception and resolution

The story closes with Jack reflecting on the deception that shaped the case and the false leads that nearly ruined them. Steve remains by his side as they reckon with the truth and prepare to move forward together. The epilogue underscores the cost of uncovering the truth and the power of forgiveness.

End

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:27

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Traces of Red Summary

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Traces of Red Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Traces of Red

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