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Plot summary

Among the Shadows (2019) Plot Summary & Timeline

Among the Shadows (2019) movie poster

Among the Shadows is a 2019 horror and crime film directed by Tiago Mesquita, running 1 hour 36 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 541 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 13 key events in order, 9 characters, where and when it is set and 4 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Among the Shadows.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
13
characters profiled
9
themes explained
4
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Among the Shadows (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m
Director
Tiago Mesquita
Genres
Horror, Crime, Thriller
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Among the Shadows About?

The premise of Among the Shadows in 282 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a rain‑slick Brussels where the ordinary collides with the uncanny, the city’s neon‑lit streets pulse with a secret that only a few can sense. Werewolves move just out of sight, their presence hinted at in whispered folklore and the occasional unsettling encounter. The atmosphere is a blend of gritty noir and uneasy supernatural suspense, a place where every alley could hide a clue—or a predator. Political power games swirl above the streets, casting long shadows that reach even the most hidden corners of the metropolis.

Enter Kristy Wolfe, a sharp‑tongued private investigator who carries the weight of two inheritances: a family’s loyalty to the law and a bloodline that ties her to the very creatures that haunt the city’s myths. Determined, resourceful, and fiercely protective of her concealed heritage, she is thrust into a tangled web when her uncle’s death pulls her into a case that threatens to expose everything she’s worked to keep hidden. Her investigation forces her to juggle the demands of a demanding client, the First Lady, while navigating a police force that is both a potential ally and a looming threat.

Opposite her stands Lt. McGregor, a seasoned officer whose own sense of duty clashes and converges with Kristy’s unconventional methods. Their uneasy partnership is marked by mutual respect, snappy repartee, and an underlying tension as each tries to outmaneuver the other’s agenda. Around them, the city’s elite—politicians, lawyers, and shadowy businessmen—loom as peripheral forces, their ambitions hinted at but never fully revealed. Together, Kristy and McGregor must thread a needle through a labyrinth of secrets, where the line between hunter and hunted blurs, and the truth may be more perilous than the myth that hides it.

Full plot

What Happens in Among the Shadows?

The complete story of Among the Shadows, from the first scene to the last, in 541 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

On November 13, 2022, acting under the direction of an unseen mastermind, werewolves sow panic across Brussels by randomly attacking joggers. In this same upheaval, werewolf Randall Jackson, Laurent Lesseigne fatally shoots Harry Goldstone, John Flanders who works on European Federation president Richard Sherman’s reelection campaign. Randall steals Harry’s strategy dossier for Richard’s upcoming debate against rival John Kilborn. Before dying, Harry calls his werewolf niece, private investigator Kristy Wolfe, Charlotte Beckett to tell her that Randall attacked him.

Lt. McGregor, Gianni Capaldi, dismisses Kristy from the crime scene, while Richard Sherman’s wife, first lady Patricia Sherman, Lindsay Lohan, hires Kristy to uncover who killed Harry and why. McGregor continues to confront Kristy throughout her investigation, as he works with detectives Alabaster Blazine and Bastien, with whom Kristy is having a complicated affair, during the official police inquiry into Harry’s murder. Kristy tracks down Randall Jackson and finds him in possession of a bag of money, C4 explosives, and a calendar with a December date circled, but Randall escapes after a brutal confrontation.

In a parallel turn of power, Richard and Patricia Sherman meet with Richard’s presumed loyalist, their lawyer Frederik Forsythe, Reynald Bialès, and a businessman named Max Eddelman in a tense limo discussion. Max proposes a deal to share profits with Richard if he abandons his renewable energy plan and drops out of the race. Kristy interrupts the meeting to threaten Max over his suspected role in a string of conspiratorial murders.

Kristy then uncovers that someone rigged her car to explode. She tracks down Harry’s contact Colin Haroosen, who crafts a potion for Kristy intended to block both werewolves and vampires from reading her thoughts and telepathically communicating. With the help of her longtime friend, bartender Frank, Kristy and he also take down werewolf operative Armand. Kristy concludes there is a mole inside the police department. She asks Blazine to probe the leak, suspecting Bastien as a potential lover.

Patricia discusses the ongoing mystery with the Shermans’ lawyer Frederik Forsythe, who receives several blackmail messages urging him to orchestrate Richard Sherman’s downfall. Frederik arranges for Detective Blazine to die in a car explosion, a peril that leads McGregor and Kristy to realize that whoever killed Blazine has also targeted them. Randall attempts to blow them up, but McGregor and Kristy escape an exploding building. Recalling the date on Randall’s calendar, they deduce that a plot to assassinate Richard Sherman is imminent. Kristy and McGregor arrive too late to stop Randall from sniping Richard.

Bastien secretly executes Randall before telling Kristy that he saw Max Eddelman fleeing the scene. Patricia Sherman proceeds to run for president in her dead husband’s place. Patricia wins the election and subsequently has Max, Frederik, and Matthew executed. Kristy confronts Patricia with the revelation that Patricia orchestrated the entire conspiracy to become president and had Kristy hired to investigate Harry’s murder to deflect suspicion. McGregor joins Kristy in time to kill another werewolf assassin before he can target Kristy. Patricia uses her vampiric powers to kill McGregor, then subdues Kristy, telepathically revealing her plan and explaining that Kristy will be framed and released only after 12 months to great wealth. Bastien arrests Kristy, who then plots to bring Patricia down after serving her sentence.

Timeline

Among the Shadows Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

13 key events in the order they happen, from “Werewolves unleash panic in Brussels; Harry is murdered” to “Patricia’s plan exposed; Kristy imprisoned”. 4 events name a place, across 3 locations.

  1. 1

    Werewolves unleash panic in Brussels; Harry is murdered

    On November 13, 2022, werewolves roam Brussels, randomly attacking joggers and sowing panic. Randall Jackson shoots Harry Goldstone, who works on Richard Sherman's reelection campaign, fatally wounding him and stealing Harry's strategy dossier. Before dying, Harry calls his werewolf niece Kristy Wolfe to tell her that Randall attacked him.

    When:November 13, 2022 Where:Brussels

  2. 2

    Kristy drawn into the case by the Shermans

    Lt. McGregor dismisses Kristy from the crime scene, complicating her involvement. Patricia Sherman hires Kristy to uncover who killed Harry and why. McGregor continues pressing Kristy as she begins investigating with detectives Alabastar Blazine and Bastien, with whom she is having an affair.

    When:November 13, 2022 Where:Brussels

  3. 3

    Kristy closes in on Randall

    Kristy tracks down Randall Jackson and confronts him. She finds him with a bag of money, C4 explosives, and a calendar circled to December, hinting at a larger plot. Randall fights Kristy and escapes, leaving her frustrated and more determined.

    When:November 13, 2022

  4. 4

    Limo meeting exposes the conspiracy

    Richard Sherman, Patricia Sherman, VP Matthew Benoit, and Max Eddelman meet in a limo to discuss a deal. Max proposes cutting Richard in on fossil-fuel profits if Richard abandons the renewable-energy plan and drops out of the race. Kristy interrupts the meeting and threatens Max, implying she suspects him of involvement in the murders.

    When:November 13, 2022 Where:Limo

  5. 5

    Kristy’s car is rigged to explode

    Kristy discovers that someone has rigged her car to explode, a sign that the conspiracy has infiltrated her safety. The threat raises the stakes as she pushes harder to uncover who is sabotaging her.

    When:Late 2022

  6. 6

    Colin Haroosen provides mind-blocking potion

    Kristy tracks down Colin Haroosen, who creates a potion intended to prevent werewolves and vampires from reading her thoughts and telepathically communicating. She uses this protection to continue her dangerous investigation.

    When:Late 2022

  7. 7

    Armand defeated; police mole suspected

    Kristy and her longtime friend Frank take downwerewolf operative Armand. She concludes there is a mole inside the police department and asks Blazine to look into the leak, suspecting her lover Bastien.

    When:Late 2022

  8. 8

    Frederik Forsythe and Blazine under threat

    Patricia discusses the mystery with Frederik Forsythe, the Shermans’ lawyer. Frederik receives blackmail messages urging him to orchestrate Richard Sherman’s downfall and arranges for Detective Blazine to die in a car explosion.

    When:Late 2022

  9. 9

    Blazine’s death reveals a wider trap

    McGregor and Kristy realize Blazine’s death was part of a setup to kill them as well. Randall tries to blow them up in an exploding building, but they manage to escape.

    When:Late 2022

  10. 10

    Richard’s assassination and Randall’s fall

    Remembering Randall’s calendar date, Kristy and McGregor deduce that an assassination of Richard Sherman is imminent. They arrive too late to stop Randall from sniping Richard; Bastien later reveals he saw Max Eddelman fleeing and then secretly executes Randall.

    When:Late 2022

Show the other 3 events of Among the Shadows
  1. 11

    Max escapes; pursuit continues

    Kristy and McGregor chase Max, but he escapes, keeping the conspiracy alive and the investigation unresolved for the moment.

    When:Late 2022

  2. 12

    Patricia becomes president; executions follow

    Patricia Sherman runs for president in her late husband’s place and wins the election. She then has Max, Frederik, and Matthew executed to consolidate power and silence rivals.

    When:Late 2022 Where:Election Campaign

  3. 13

    Patricia’s plan exposed; Kristy imprisoned

    Kristy confronts Patricia with the revelation that the entire conspiracy was designed to propel Patricia to power and to deflect suspicion from herself. McGregor joins Kristy to confront another werewolf assassin, but Patricia uses her vampiric powers to kill McGregor. Kristy is subdued telepathically, and Bastien arrests her; she is told she will be released after a 12-month sentence to begin a path toward a fortune, while Patricia tightens her grip on power.

    When:Post-election

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Among the Shadows?

9 characters, among them Patricia Sherman (Lindsay Lohan), Kristy Wolfe (Charlotte Beckett) and Randall Jackson (Laurent Lesseigne): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Lindsay Lohan as Patricia Sherman (Lindsay Lohan) in Among the Shadows

    Patricia Sherman (Lindsay Lohan)

    Played by Lindsay Lohan

    Richard Sherman’s vampire wife and first lady, Patricia is a ruthless power broker who manipulates events to secure the presidency. She hires Kristy Wolfe to investigate Harry’s murder as a distraction and uses vampiric influence to silence opponents. Her actions drive the conspiracy and culminate in a dramatic, deadly reveal.

    • 🧛 Vampire
    • 🏛️ Politician
    • 💰 Power broker
  • KW

    Kristy Wolfe (Charlotte Beckett)

    Played by Charlotte Beckett

    A private investigator and Harry’s niece, Kristy relentlessly pursues the truth behind the murders. She clashes with Lt. McGregor and navigates a web of colleagues involved in the case, including a tense affair with Blazine. Her investigation uncover leaks, a mole, and a plan that reaches toward the presidency.

    • 🕵️ Private investigator
    • 🔎 Detective work
    • 💔 Forbidden romance
  • RJ

    Randall Jackson (Laurent Lesseigne)

    Played by Laurent Lesseigne

    A werewolf operative who murders Harry and drives the plot’s conspiracy. He pursues power by exploiting the election and evading capture, symbolizing the blurred line between supernatural threats and political ambition. He is ultimately slain by Bastien, with the wider conspiracy continuing.

    • 🐺 Werewolf
    • 🗡️ Assassin
    • 💰 Conspiracy funds
  • Gianni Capaldi as Lt. McGregor (Gianni Capaldi) in Among the Shadows

    Lt. McGregor (Gianni Capaldi)

    Played by Gianni Capaldi

    A brusque police lieutenant who clashes with Kristy during the investigation. He confirms the suspicion that the police are compromised while aiding in the pursuit of the truth. The mounting tension culminates in a confrontation with Patricia’s plan to remove him from the equation.

    • 👮 Police
    • ⚖️ Authority
    • ⚔️ Conflict
  • CH

    Colin Haroosen (Dominik Madani)

    Played by Dominik Madani

    Colin is a contact who crafts a potion meant to block telepathic reading between werewolves and vampires. He provides critical support to Kristy, and his involvement highlights the sinister, hidden crime-scene world behind the presidential campaign. His work deepens the sense of secrecy surrounding the plot.

    • 🧪 Potion maker
    • 🕳️ Secretive
    • 🧭 Hidden knowledge
  • RS

    Richard Sherman (Kristoffel Verdonck)

    Played by Kristoffel Verdonck

    The European Federation president and target of the conspiracy, Richard is portrayed as a political figure whose fate hinges on the manipulation of power, money, and influence. His relationship with Patricia adds a layer of personal betrayal to the political intrigue. His assassination marks a critical turning point in the plot.

    • 🏛️ President
    • 💼 Political figure
    • 🗝️ Power broker
  • FF

    Frederik Forsythe (Reynald Bialès)

    Played by Reynald Bialès

    A schemer who manipulates the political machine behind the scenes, Frederik coordinates with other conspirators to undermine Richard’s campaign. He uses blackmail and careful planning to push Richard toward a ruinous path. His role showcases how elite influence extends beyond visible leadership.

    • 🕵️ Intelligence
    • 🗝️ Blackmail
    • 🧭 Hidden agenda
  • MB

    Mathew Benoit (Barry Jay Minoff)

    Played by Barry Jay Minoff

    A wealthy ally of the conspirators who offers a payday in exchange for political favors, Mathew embodies the corporate power that drives the plot. He participates in the scheme to cut Richard in on profits if he abandons renewable energy plans. His involvement emphasizes the money-driven nature of the conspiracy.

    • 💼 Corporate
    • 💰 Money
    • 🗡️ Betrayal
  • HG

    Harry Goldstone (John Flanders)

    Played by John Flanders

    Harry, a werewolf who works on the European Federation president’s reelection campaign, is a key informant who falls victim to a calculated attack. His murder reveals a deeper conspiracy and kicks off Kristy’s investigation. His relationship to his werewolf network anchors the supernatural aspect of the plot.

    • 🐺 Werewolf
    • 🕵️ Family ties
Setting

Where and When Is Among the Shadows Set?

Among the Shadows is set in Brussels and Belgium (November 2022). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

November 2022

The story unfolds in the early 2020s, centering on a high-stakes presidential campaign in Brussels. It weaves contemporary politics, media pressure, and corporate deals around energy policy into the plot. The November timeline heightens the urgency of the conspiracy and the race for control.

Where

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels serves as the film’s political backdrop, blending grand EU institutions with a tense urban atmosphere. The city’s government centers and cosmopolitan streets frame a web of power struggles, conspiracies, and public-facing campaigns. In this setting, private investigators, werewolf intrigue, and political maneuvering collide in a modern European capital.

  • 🏛️ European political hub
  • 🗺️ European capital
  • 🕰️ Historic city center
Themes

What Are the Themes of Among the Shadows?

4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Power and Ambition, Deception and Supernatural Political Intrigue.

  1. 01

    Power and Ambition

    Patricia Sherman’s ascent illustrates how political power can corrupt relationships and ethics. The assassination, blackmail, and strategic moves propel her toward the presidency, revealing a ruthless desire for control. The film uses these maneuvers to question whether ends justify the means in public life.

  2. 02

    Deception

    The plot thrives on misdirection, hidden motives, and secret alliances. A mole within the police, manipulated investigations, and fake alliances keep characters guessing who is trustworthy. The potion Colin Haroosen creates to block telepathic reading adds a literal layer of secrecy to the deception.

  3. 03

    Supernatural Political Intrigue

    Werewolves and vampires intersect with political machinations, blending supernatural power with human ambition. Supernatural abilities are deployed to influence outcomes, while politicians try to weaponize or hide these forces. The result is a tense game where occult threats threaten to derail a democratic process.

  4. 04

    Betrayal

    The storyline is driven by betrayals at multiple levels—from personal affairs to conspiratorial plots aimed at toppling a president. Allies turn into threats, and orchestrated murders ripple through the chain of command. The ending reveals a meticulously crafted plan to set Kristy up, underscoring the pervasiveness of betrayal.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Among the Shadows?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Dark
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Bittersweet

A tense and brutal supernatural thriller that plunges a werewolf detective into a high-stakes conspiracy, creating a dark and paranoid atmosphere of constant danger.

  • tense
  • paranoid
  • brutal
  • suspenseful
  • gritty
  • grim
  • political conspiracy
  • murder investigation
  • werewolves
  • vampires

Content notes: murder, explosions, assassination, political corruption.

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FAQ

Among the Shadows Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Among the Shadows, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Among the Shadows about?

In a rain‑slick Brussels where the ordinary collides with the uncanny, the city’s neon‑lit streets pulse with a secret that only a few can sense. Werewolves move just out of sight, their presence hinted at in whispered folklore and the occasional unsettling encounter.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Among the Shadows take place?

Among the Shadows is set in Brussels and Belgium (November 2022). The story unfolds in the early 2020s, centering on a high-stakes presidential campaign in Brussels. It weaves contemporary politics, media pressure, and corporate deals around energy policy into the plot.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Among the Shadows?

The story follows Patricia Sherman (Lindsay Lohan) (played by Lindsay Lohan), Kristy Wolfe (Charlotte Beckett) (played by Charlotte Beckett), Randall Jackson (Laurent Lesseigne) (played by Laurent Lesseigne) and Lt. McGregor (Gianni Capaldi) (played by Gianni Capaldi); the character guide covers 9 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Among the Shadows?

The summary picks out 4 themes: Power and Ambition, Deception, Supernatural Political Intrigue and Betrayal.

The themes explained

Who directed Among the Shadows?

Among the Shadows (2019) was directed by Tiago Mesquita and runs 1 hour 36 minutes.

Tiago Mesquita’s films

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