Wrongfully Accused

Wrongfully Accused

Year: 1998

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

ActionAdventureComedy

In a gritty city, a mysterious one‑armed, one‑legged, one‑eyed killer is blamed for the murder of Lauren Goodhue’s husband. Superstar violinist Ryan Harrison, who resists an affair with Lauren, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. He escapes during transport and goes on the run, desperate to track down the elusive murderer and clear his name before the world catches up with him.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Wrongfully Accused (1998) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Wrongfully Accused (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

World-famous violinist Ryan Harrison earns a standing ovation at a grand concert, then attends a party hosted by Hibbing Goodhue, a powerful sponsor who has his fingers in many strings of society. There, the atmosphere shifts as he encounters Lauren Goodhue, the alluring wife, and the enigmatic Cass Lake [melinda-mcgraw], who is described as a possible mistress. The night takes a dark turn when Harrison receives a note from Lauren Goodhue summoning him to the Goodhue residence, urging him to come to answers he never asked for.

At the mansion, Harrison runs into Sean Laughrea, who has just killed Goodhue (and another unnamed accomplice), triggering a brutal clash that ends with Harrison unconscious. When he awakens, the world has turned against him—he is arrested and convicted for the very murder he didn’t commit. A violent transport accident offers a narrow escape, and Harrison bolts into the night, pursued by a determined lieutenant, Fergus Falls, who is determined to capture him by any means necessary.

Seeking refuge, Harrison returns to the sprawling estate where Cass Lake [melinda-mcgraw] has a moment of truth with him: she believes in his innocence and hints that Lauren is the true killer, though she refuses to go to the police because Lauren is her sister. Cass provides a sanctuary and does what she can to shake Harrison’s pursuers, but the danger keeps closing in. Falls seems to be everywhere, and Cass’s motives grow murkier with each turning corner.

As the pieces start to align, Harrison recalls that Sean was the bartender at the party and had been paid handsomely by Cass, and he discovers Cass’s unusual fascination with Sir Robert McKintyre [Gerard Plunkett], the Secretary-General of the United Nations. A deeper probe into Sean’s disabilities reveals a disturbingly coordinated plot: Cass, Lauren, and Sean are planning an assassination attempt on McKintyre. Harrison trails them, but is ultimately caught; Cass shoots him, only to fake his death—she has fallen in love with him and wants to foil the scheme, since she learns that McKintyre is actually her father. The revelation adds another layer to the scandal: Goodhue was murdered by Sean and Lauren because he had begun to suspect that his wife was using him to further her terrorist aims.

The climax unfolds at a Scottish festival, where Harrison and Cass barely manage to save McKintyre’s life. Cornered by Lauren, Sean, and their conspirators, the duo is rescued at the last moment by Falls and a SWAT team, who arrest the terrorists and clear Harrison’s name. In a final moment of relief and renewed trust, Falls publicly absolves him, declaring the long ordeal over. The film closes with a playful wink to cinema history: Harrison and Cass ride the bow of a cruise ship, echoing the famous Titanic imagery, and end up bumping heads on a low bridge as they sail into a new, uncertain future.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:34

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Wrongfully Accused and other High-Stakes Fugitive Thrillers

Innocent protagonists racing against time to expose a conspiracy and clear their name.If you enjoyed the frantic energy of a wrongfully accused hero on the run in Wrongfully Accused, you'll love these similar movies. This collection features tense thrillers and action-packed stories where protagonists must evade capture while solving a complex mystery to prove their innocence.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically begin with a shocking crime that pins the blame on the protagonist. After a dramatic escape or flight, the narrative becomes a dual chase: the hero is pursued by the law while they pursue the real culprit. The journey involves uncovering hidden connections, surviving close calls, and a final confrontation that exposes the conspiracy.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core structure of an innocent fugitive, high tension from constant pursuit, and a complex mystery that drives the plot. They deliver a specific mix of anxiety, suspense, and the catharsis of eventual vindication.

Comedy spy spoofs and parody thrillers like Wrongfully Accused

Serious thriller plots played for laughs with slapstick and satirical humor.Fans of Wrongfully Accused who enjoyed its blend of a serious thriller plot with Leslie Nielsen's signature comedic style will find more to love here. This list features movies that spoof action and spy genres, combining high-stakes narratives with gags, jokes, and satirical humor for a lighthearted yet thrilling watch.

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Narrative Summary

These films follow a standard thriller or mystery arc but populate it with exaggerated characters, improbable situations, and deliberate clichés. The tension of the plot is consistently undercut by visual gags, witty one-liners, and slapstick comedy, creating a tone that is simultaneously suspenseful and ridiculous. The journey is chaotic, but typically ends on a happy, humorous note.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a specific tonal balance: the structure and pacing of a genuine thriller paired with the comedic intent of a parody. They are united by their playful deconstruction of genre conventions and their ability to deliver laughs amidst the chaos.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Wrongfully Accused

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Wrongfully Accused

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