Source Code (2011)
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A soldier is repeatedly sent into a virtual re-creation of a train explosion to identify a terrorist.
The story
U.S. Army pilot Captain Colter Stevens wakes up on a Metra commuter train heading into Chicago, only to find himself in a disorienting situation where he appears to be a different man to those around him. The train explodes, killing everyone on board. Stevens awakens in a dimly lit cockpit and learns he is part of an experimental project. He is tasked with entering a virtual re-creation of the final eight minutes before the explosion to identify the bomber before a suspected second attack occurs in Chicago.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Captain Colter Stevens wakes up on a train to Chicago, appearing as a teacher named Sean Fentress to his friend Christina Warren. The train explodes. Stevens awakens in a cockpit and learns he is being sent into the 'Source Code,' an experimental machine that reconstructs the past using residual memories. He must find the bomber to prevent a second attack. After several failed attempts, Stevens learns he was reported killed in action months prior and is actually on life support, with his current body being a manifestation of his mind. He discovers the bomber is Derek Frost, a nihilistic domestic terrorist. After relaying Frost's location to the authorities, Stevens is offered a deal to die, but Goodwin sends him back one last time. He successfully defuses the bomb, reconciles with his father, and is then disconnected from life support. In the final moments, Stevens realizes the Source Code allows for the creation of alternate timelines, and he and Christina begin a life together in a new reality.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 93
- Production countries
- United States; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Duncan Jones
- Writers
- Ben Ripley · writer; Ben Ripley · screenwriter
- Cast and characters
- Jake Gyllenhaal · Captain Colter Stevens; Michelle Monaghan · Christina Warren; Vera Farmiga · Colleen Goodwin; Jeffrey Wright · Dr. Rutledge
- Genres
- science fiction; action; thriller
- Themes
- memory; sacrifice; technology; alternate realities
- Tone and mood
- tense; fast-paced; perplexing
- Setting
- A commuter train heading into Chicago during the modern era.
- Premise and plot tags
- time loop; sci-fi; military; terrorism
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing $147 million on a $32 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 92% · review count: 262; Metacritic · score: 74 · scale: 100 · review count: 41; CinemaScore · score: B · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The antagonist Derek Frost was inspired by David Hahn, the boy from 'The Nuclear Boy Scout'.; The original spec script was sold to Universal Pictures in 2007 but was ranked on The Black List.; Jake Gyllenhaal lobbied for Duncan Jones to direct the film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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