Traitor

Traitor

Year: 2008

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Budget: $22M

DramaThrillerCrime

FBI agent Roy Clayton pursues Samir Horn, a former Special Operations officer suspected of links to terrorist organizations and involvement in failed global operations. As Clayton investigates, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of deception and conflicting evidence. He questions whether Horn is a dangerous rogue operative or a more significant threat, struggling to uncover the truth behind his actions and connections.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Traitor (2008)

Trace every key event in Traitor (2008) 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

Childhood tragedy: Father killed in car bomb

Samir witnesses the death of his Sudanese father when a car bomb kills him. This event shapes his view of violence and his later drive to protect those he cares about. It serves as the emotional backdrop for his later path in life.

childhood Sudan
2

Arrest in Yemen during arms deal with Omar

As an adult, Samir operates as an arms dealer and negotiates a deal with Omar in Yemen. He is arrested and thrown into a Yemeni jail, beginning his entanglement with Omar and the broader al-Nathir plot. This marks a turning point that pulls him into the world of covert operations.

early adulthood Yemen
3

Bond forms with Omar and escape

After imprisonment, Samir and Omar become friends, and when Omar's people arrange an escape, they take Samir with them. They depart Yemen with Omar's group, crossing into new circles of influence. The alliance with Omar becomes a catalyst for Samir's involvement with al-Nathir.

late Yemen
4

Meet Fareed and entry into al-Nathir

They meet Fareed, a lieutenant in the al-Nathir terrorist organization, establishing Samir's entry into the group's inner circle. Fareed's presence links Samir to Nathir's leadership and the broader plot. This meeting sets the stage for Samir's evolving role inside the network.

pre-plot Yemen
5

FBI suspects radicalization

FBI Special Agent Roy Clayton suspects that Samir has been radicalized and begins to track him. The investigation introduces a persistent cat-and-mouse dynamic as Samir moves within global networks. This surveillance foreshadows the dramatic unraveling of his cover.

contemporary United States
6

Nice consulate bombing and undercover status revealed

Samir joins al-Nathir and uses his Special Forces engineering skills to bomb the U.S. Consulate in Nice, France. It is later revealed that he is working undercover for a U.S. intelligence contractor, Carter. The bombing's human cost weighs heavily on him as he questions the mission.

during operation Nice, France
7

Devastation of innocents and Carter's role

Samir is devastated when he learns that innocent people perished in the consulate bombing. The revelation underscores the personal toll of his covert work. He also discovers that Carter's involvement was part of the operation he had trusted.

aftermath Nice, France
8

Plot to bomb 50 US buses on Thanksgiving

Fareed introduces Samir to Nathir, who discloses a plot to plant suicide bombers on 50 buses in the US during Thanksgiving. Samir is instructed to act as liaison to each sleeper bomber, coordinating the network. The plan heightens the stakes of the mission and elevates Samir's risk.

Thanksgiving United States
9

Samir mediates with sleeper bombers

Samir begins liaising with the al-Nathir sleeper bombers, coordinating contacts across multiple locations. He operates as the critical go-between to maintain the covert network and keep the plot on schedule. This role deepens his double life as ally to both sides.

mid-plot United States
10

Carter interrupts meeting; Omar kills Carter

Carter interrupts a meeting between Samir and Omar, revealing tensions and compromising the operation. Omar kills Carter in the ensuing confrontation, illustrating the volatility of the covert alliance. The event intensifies the isolation Samir feels from both sides.

mid-plot Unknown location
11

Samir reveals deep cover; pursuit to Halifax

Samir reveals his deep cover to Clayton, confirming his allegiance to Carter's mission. Clayton tracks Samir to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, intensifying the investigation. The pursuit marks a critical turn toward a physical confrontation in a new theater.

timeline Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
12

Nice deaths mostly fake; investigation progresses

Clayton uncovers that the Nice deaths were mostly fictitious, with only a single casualty confirmed. The revelation calls into question the operation's realities and the legitimacy of Samir's role. It also highlights the blurred lines between intelligence work and propaganda.

investigation Halifax, Canada
13

Assault on the ship: Nathir and Fareed killed; bus plan altered

On a cargo ship bound for Marseille, Samir kills Nathir and Fareed, severing al-Nathir's leadership. He confronts Omar, explaining that targeting innocents betrayed Islam and that he has destabilized the plan. He reveals that he switched the bombers' emails and placed them all on the same bus so they die together, sparing only the bus driver.

voyage Cargo ship en route to Marseille
14

Omar killed; Samir wounded; operation collapses

Canadian police and the FBI storm the area, killing Omar and injuring Samir in the confrontation. The operation collapses as the network unravels and the immediate threat ends. The authorities take control as casualties mount on both sides.

aftermath Halifax area / coastal Canada
15

Final reckoning: guilt, Qur'an, and a possible FBI future

In the aftermath, Samir confesses guilt for killing innocents and recalls the Qur'anic admonition about taking innocent lives. Clayton counters with a counterpoint about saving innocents, framing Samir as a hero who could have a future with the FBI. The dialogue marks a controversial moral closure to his story.

aftermath Halifax, Canada

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Traitor Summary

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