Unlawful Entry

Unlawful Entry

Year: 1992

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: Jonathan Kaplan

DramaThrillerCrime

After a frightening home invasion, Michael and Karen Carr find themselves indebted to Officer Pete Davis, who offers assistance. However, their relief turns to terror as Pete's behavior shifts from helpful to obsessive, and they realize they are being stalked by the man they once trusted. The couple must now find a way to protect themselves from the increasingly menacing officer and escape his dangerous obsession.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Unlawful Entry 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!

Unlawful Entry (1992) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Unlawful Entry (1992), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

As the night unfolds, an unanticipated visitor infiltrates the luxurious home belonging to Michael and Karen Carr in Los Angeles. This intruder’s brief but harrowing invasion leaves Karen shaken, as she finds herself taken hostage at knifepoint before the assailant makes a hurried escape. The authorities respond promptly, with Officer Pete Davis, portrayed by Kurt Russell, showing particular interest in their case due to the Carrs’ remarkable composure during the crisis. Seeking to ensure their safety, this observant officer overrides departmental protocol to install an advanced security system in the Carrs’ residence. Grateful for his assistance, Michael and Karen form a somewhat unexpected friendship with Pete.

When Michael starts to express a desire for revenge against the intruder, Pete invites him to join a ride-along with his partner, Roy Cole, played by Roger E. Mosley. Following this excursion, Pete reveals he has captured the individual responsible for the Carrs’ ordeal. He offers Michael a chance to confront the burglar directly, yet Michael turns this down, admitting that his earlier enthusiasm was merely an emotional reaction. However, Pete’s demand for Michael’s compliance grows increasingly intense, leading to Michael’s discomfort.

As tensions heighten, the burglar makes a desperate attempt to escape, prompting Pete to exhibit extreme violence before Michael intervenes, firmly instructing Pete to halt his aggression. This unexpected confrontation leaves Pete puzzled and apprehensive about his actions.

In the aftermath, Michael starts to doubt Pete’s state of mind and protective instincts, advising Karen to steer clear of him. Yet, Karen remains unconvinced, believing her husband to be overly dramatic in his concerns. When Pete unexpectedly shows up at Michael’s club, Michael rebuffs him sternly, requesting that Pete no longer approach him or Karen, resulting in Pete feeling deeply hurt and abandoned.

Unable to cope with his emotions, Pete seeks solace through fleeting encounters with strangers. He then invites Karen out for coffee, intending to forge a deeper connection while insinuating himself into their marriage, convinced that Michael lacks the strength to protect his wife. As Michael’s once-friendship with Pete deteriorates due to rejection, Pete’s bitterness grows into a toxic brew of jealousy and vengeance.

Consequently, he starts to wreak havoc on Michael’s life, undermining his financial stability and invading the sanctity of their home under the shroud of darkness. When Michael finally attempts to report Pete’s harassment, Pete utilizes his police connections to systematically ruin Michael’s professional reputation, receiving nothing but cold indifference from his superiors at the LAPD. With the guidance of his lawyer, Michael tries to make amends with a generous offer and an apology, but Pete rebuffs his attempts, revealing a twisted obsession with Karen, and declaring that he would rather kill Michael than apprehend him.

Turning to Roy Cole for advice, he finds Cole urging Pete to seek psychiatric help or face suspension. In a shocking turn of events, Pete murders Cole and falsely frames another criminal for the act, even going so far as to plant cocaine in the Carrs’ home to further discredit Michael, paving the way to pursue Karen relentlessly. Desperate to protect his reputation and regain control, Michael devises a plan to post bail and confront the escalating chaos.

Meanwhile, back at the Carr residence, Karen awakens to find Pete cooking breakfast instead of her friend, Penny. As Pete confesses his love for Karen, she is horrified to discover Penny’s lifeless body. Playing along, Karen feigns affection in an attempt to gain access to Pete’s firearm, but when she discovers it is unloaded, her plan fails as Pete violently attempts to assault her.

Realizing that his police car has been vandalized, Pete concludes that Michael has returned home. As the couple attempts to escape, Karen hides in the bathroom while Pete violently confronts Michael, inadvertently triggering the security system. Disguising his voice as Michael over the phone, Pete tries to cancel the emergency response but unknowingly provides the wrong security code, unaware that Michael had already changed it.

Fueled by his rage, Pete demands that Karen flee with him or suffer severe repercussions. In a moment of bravery, Karen retaliates, allowing Michael to overpower Pete and send him tumbling down the stairs. As they await the authorities’ arrival, Pete regains consciousness to find himself held at gunpoint by Michael.

In a dramatic twist, Pete, believing that Michael lacks resolve, taunts him with a question echoing their earlier exchange: > “Will you arrest me?” This time, however, Michael’s response is profoundly different. With calculated resolve, he ends Pete’s reign of terror and waits with Karen for the police to arrive, bringing their tumultuous ordeal to a chilling conclusion.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:07

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Unlawful Entry

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

Unlawful Entry Timeline

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

Unlawful Entry Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Unlawful Entry

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Unlawful Entry. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Unlawful Entry

Unlawful Entry Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Unlawful Entry 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.

Unlawful Entry Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Unlawful Entry

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Unlawful Entry: 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 Unlawful Entry