Directed by
James Mather
Made by
FilmDistrict
Discover the intricate plot of Lockout (2012). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the year 2079, CIA agent Snow finds himself locked up for a crime he didn’t commit—murder. He is accused of taking the life of undercover agent Frank Armstrong, who had uncovered incriminating evidence about another agent leaking secrets concerning the space program. But the reality is far more complex; Snow was attempting to save Frank from a deadly assault when unknown assailants attacked him. Just before his demise, Frank managed to pass on vital evidence to Snow for safekeeping, and he does so without drawing the attention of the governmental forces that would soon capture Snow.
Scott Langral, the Secret Service director played by Peter Stormare, orchestrates Snow’s conviction based on the President’s counsel, leading to Snow being sentenced to thirty years in the notorious maximum-security space penal colony known as MS One. In this chilling institution, prisoners exist in Stasis throughout their sentences, eliminating any hope of rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Snow’s friend, fellow agent Harry Shaw, undertakes the mission of locating Mace, Snow’s handler, who holds the key to Frank’s briefcase where the stolen secrets are hidden.
On the grounds of MS One, the President’s own daughter, Emilie, embarks on an investigation into the controversial Stasis technology. She has been granted access by the prison’s owners, who are eager to promote their facilities for a global market, despite the United States’ hesitance to sign a deal. Beneath the surface, the facility is entangled in a greater conspiracy involving funding from private deep-space exploration firms keen to exploit the inmates as guinea pigs for their Stasis procedures meant for interstellar travel.
During her investigations, Emilie interviews a dangerously unhinged inmate named Hydell, portrayed by Joseph Gilgun. In a shocking turn of events, Hydell manages to escape, unleashing chaos among the prisoners and igniting a catastrophic riot led by his brother, Alex. As the turmoil unfolds, Emilie is captured and shot, along with numerous others.
In a twist of fate, Shaw persuades Langral and the President to send Snow on a daring rescue mission instead of risking a full assault on the prison. Initially hesitant, Snow changes his mind upon learning that Mace, who could help prove Snow’s innocence, is still on MS One. Attempts to resolve the hostage situation fail, forcing Snow to infiltrate the prison, where Alex takes Emilie hostage, realizing her identity as the President’s daughter.
Emilie makes a daring escape from Alex with her bodyguard Hock, who tragically sacrifices himself to ensure her survival as the situation deteriorates. Snow, disguising Emilie’s appearance to avoid drawing attention, risks everything to rescue her. They locate Mace, but the Stasis has left him mentally incapacitated and incoherent. Despite all odds, Snow and Emilie bring Mace along in their desperate bid for freedom, only to find themselves facing unforeseen disaster—MS One is losing orbit and is on a collision course with the International Space Station.
As chaos erupts, Mace dies in the hull breach, leaving Snow and Emilie to confront their grim reality. When they reach the escape pod, Snow discovers it only has one seat. He selflessly sends Emilie to safety, thinking of her life before his own. Yet, Emilie is determined to remain behind, believing that the lives of the remaining hostages depend on her presence. In a heart-wrenching betrayal, Hydell murders the hostages, even after Emilie reveals her location to him.
Together, Snow and Emilie uncover that the prisoners were being duplicitously used as test subjects in violation of ethical standards. In a dramatic turn, Alex captures Emilie, and amid the ensuing conflict, wounds Snow, leaving him for dead. The stakes escalate as Alex contacts the President, wielding Emilie’s life as leverage against the government. In a race against time, scenes unfold until Langral’s men ultimately decide to destroy MS One.
As the prison explodes, Snow and Emilie make a daring escape. Utilizing their space suits, they plummet into the atmosphere, miraculously landing in New York City, where Snow is promptly arrested. Later, Emilie uncovers that Mace’s disjointed ramblings were a code leading to Frank’s briefcase, but disappointment awaits when it’s found empty. However, Snow had withheld the unlocking code, revealing Shaw to be the real mole, leading to his arrest, while Snow is set free.
As his belongings are returned, including a lighter from Frank that seemed inconsequential, Snow discovers a hidden memory card with the actual incriminating evidence embedded within it. A playful moment occurs as Emilie meets Snow, teasing him upon learning his first name is Marion, as they walk away together, the sense of victory layered with the scars of their harrowing journey.
Track the key events of Lockout (2012) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Crime
In the year 2079, CIA agent Snow is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of undercover agent Frank Armstrong. Despite his protests of innocence, he is accused of killing Frank, who had critical evidence regarding a leaky agent in the space program.
Conviction by Design
Snow's conviction is orchestrated by Secret Service director Scott Langral on the advice of the President. He is sentenced to thirty years in a maximum-security space penal colony known as MS One, where prisoners undergo Stasis throughout their terms.
The Investigation Begins
While Snow languishes in prison, his friend and fellow agent Harry Shaw works to locate Mace, Snow's handler, who possesses crucial information about Frank’s briefcase containing sensitive secrets. Shaw's investigation unveils the deeper conspiracy surrounding Snow's conviction.
Emilie’s Involvement
The President's daughter, Emilie, begins her own investigation into the controversial Stasis technology used at MS One. She interviews inmates and gains access to the prison facilities, aiming to uncover truths about the inhumane treatment of prisoners.
Chaos Unleashed
During Emilie's investigation, inmate Hydell escapes, leading to a violent riot within the prison. The chaos results in numerous casualties, including Emilie, who finds herself in grave danger as the inmates seize control.
Decision to Rescue
After the chaos unfolds, Shaw convinces Langral and the President to allow Snow to execute a rescue mission instead of a full-on assault. Snow is hesitant but ultimately agrees when he learns that Mace, the key to proving his innocence, is still inside MS One.
Hostage Situation
Snow infiltrates the prison and discovers that Emilie has been taken hostage by Alex, Hydell's brother. The tension escalates as they navigate the perilous conditions, struggling to save Emilie while avoiding Alex's wrath.
Escape Attempts
Emilie manages a narrow escape from Alex with the help of her bodyguard Hock, who sacrifices himself to save her. Snow disguises Emilie to cover their tracks while they seek Mace and find him in a diminished state due to prolonged Stasis.
Collision Course
As Snow, Emilie, and Mace make their daring escape, they realize that MS One is losing orbit and careening toward a catastrophic collision with the International Space Station. The urgency of their situation escalates as they race against time.
Tragic Loss
Amid the chaos, Mace succumbs to his injuries after a hull breach, leaving Snow and Emilie to face the gravity of their desperate circumstances alone. The loss compounds their struggle as they strive to survive in the failing penal colony.
Betrayal and Hope
In a heartbreaking twist, Emilie decides to stay behind despite Snow's urging for her to escape. She believes that saving the remaining hostages is paramount, but her reveal of her location to Hydell leads to a fatal betrayal.
Revelation of Truth
As Snow and Emilie confront Alex, it becomes clear that the prisoners were exploited as test subjects for immoral experiments. They unravel the layers of deceit surrounding their imprisonment, igniting a determination to seek justice.
Destruction of MS One
Facing increasing danger, Langral ultimately decides to destroy MS One to eliminate the threat. As the prison explodes, Snow and Emilie make a desperate escape from the carnage, donning space suits to survive the descent.
Landing in New York
Snow and Emilie miraculously land in New York City after their harrowing plunge from orbit. However, their newfound freedom is bittersweet as Snow is immediately arrested upon arrival, facing the consequences of his past.
The Final Twist
Later, Emilie discovers that Mace's seemingly disjointed rants contained crucial code to unlock Frank's briefcase. Although initially disappointed to find it empty, Snow reveals to her that he kept the unlocking code, exposing Shaw as the real mole.
Meet the characters that bring Lockout (2012) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Snow (Guy Pearce)
Snow is a CIA agent wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, embodying resilience and resourcefulness throughout his harrowing journey. His determination to clear his name and rescue Emilie illustrates his complexity as a character driven by loyalty and an unyielding pursuit of justice. Despite the odds stacked against him, he showcases the strength to confront his past and the betrayal he faces.
Emilie (Maggie Grace)
Emilie, the President's daughter, is portrayed as a brave and tenacious character who actively seeks the truth regarding the Stasis technology and the implications of her father's decisions. Her evolution from a sheltered individual to a determined woman fighting for justice is pivotal to the narrative. Emilie's arc showcases inner strength and the layers of complexity surrounding familial loyalty and moral responsibility.
Scott Langral (Peter Stormare)
Langral, the Secret Service director, orchestrates Snow's wrongful conviction, embodying the machinations of power within the government. His character represents the ethical ambiguity present in positions of authority, revealing how ambition can lead to manipulation and betrayal. Langral's decisions highlight the dangerous intersections of politics, power, and the law.
Uncover the settings of Lockout (2012), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
2079
The year 2079 is marked by advancements in space exploration technology and controversial penal practices, such as the Stasis procedures used in the penal colony. The societal norms regarding crime and punishment have shifted dramatically, with ethical dilemmas surrounding the treatment of inmates being highlighted throughout the film. Additionally, political machinations around governmental conspiracy further complicate the landscape of this futuristic setting.
Location
MS One, New York City
MS One is a notorious maximum-security space penal colony where prisoners are kept in Stasis throughout their sentences, eliminating any hope for rehabilitation. This chilling institution plays a central role in the movie as it symbolizes the darker side of the space program and ethical violations. New York City serves as the final destination where the remnants of the tumultuous journey culminate, showcasing a stark contrast to the events that took place in the confines of MS One.
Explore the core themes of Lockout (2012). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
⚖️
Justice vs. Injustice
The film explores the complexities of justice, represented by Snow's wrongful imprisonment and the conspiracy surrounding his case. It highlights moral ambiguities, pitting bureaucratic decisions against individual rights. The struggle of the characters to navigate this distorted justice system creates a gripping narrative that questions the ethics of authority.
🚀
Space Exploration
Lockout delves into the ambitions of space exploration and its associated risks, showcasing the concept of using inmates as test subjects for advanced technologies. The story intertwines personal stakes with broader implications of space travel, emphasizing the potential exploitation hidden beneath the allure of discovery.
🛡️
Sacrifice
Sacrifice emerges as a central theme, particularly through Snow's choices to save Emilie and his friend Mace. Each character faces dilemmas that force them to weigh their lives against others, illustrating the importance of selflessness in dire situations. This theme resonates throughout their desperate escape from MS One, culminating in moments of profound loss and bravery.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.