Deep Impact 1998

Action

Sci-Fi

Drama

Thriller

Box Office

$349M

Runtime

120 min

Language

English

Directed by

Mimi Leder

Made by

Paramount Pictures

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Deep Impact (1998). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Two students from the astronomy club, Leo Biederman and his girlfriend, Sarah Hotchner (played by Leelee Sobieski), stumble upon an unidentified object in the night sky. Their teacher, Mr. Perry, suspects it could be a satellite and encourages them to document their findings and reach out to Dr. Wolf, a professional astronomer. Dr. Wolf confirms that the object is indeed a comet on a collision course with Earth. Unfortunately, as he attempts to share this critical data, a server outage leads to a tragic accident that claims his life.

Meanwhile, Jenny Lerner, a diligent news researcher for Beth Stanley, faces challenges as she strives to climb the ranks in journalism. Beth, her boss, keeps denying her chances for advancement while assigning her to cover the seemingly mundane resignation of U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Alan Rittenhouse (James Cromwell). During a fateful lunch with her mother, Robin Lerner (Vanessa Redgrave), Jenny learns about Alan’s whispered secrets that point to something far more dangerous: an extinction-level event involving the world-ending comet.

Jenny’s investigative instincts kick in, prompting her to uncover the looming disaster. After being brought in to meet the President, Morgan Freeman, she learns about the comet, fervently keeping the information under wraps until the official announcement. During a press conference, the President reveals the imminent threat posed by Comet Wolf-Biederman, stressing that a joint mission—dubbed the Messiah—is being launched to avert disaster by detonating the comet before impact.

In the months following the announcement, Jenny’s role in broadcasting the story elevates her career, while tensions escalate as families grapple with the ramifications of the disaster and the subsequent lottery for survival. The mission to avert catastrophe is fraught with peril as the crew of the Messiah, including Robert Duvall as the veteran Captain Tanner, faces overwhelming odds during their high-stakes mission in space.

As their mission begins to unravel, personal stories intertwine with the grander narrative of humanity’s struggle against the extraterrestrial threat. A dangerous gas eruption, the race against time for the crew to complete their task, and devastating news on Earth lead to heart-wrenching decisions. The crew ultimately opts for a desperate final plan to intercept the main body of the Wolf comet—a move that spells out a potential suicide mission.

The narrative crescendos with a relentless barrage of destruction as the fragments of the comet strike Earth, impacting the Atlantic Ocean and generating catastrophic tsunamis that obliterate coastal cities. As conflicts resolve and lives hang in the balance, Leo remains determined to save Sarah and their families, adding another layer of emotional gravity.

In the aftermath, survivors face a world forever altered, as President Beck delivers an emotional speech, encapsulating the profound losses endured while igniting a sense of hope for rebuilding the future. The film closes with the people rallying behind a shared resolve to move forward, leaving viewers with a haunting reminder of their resilience in the face of apocalypse.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Deep Impact (1998) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Discovery of the Comet

Leo Biederman and his girlfriend, Sarah Hotchner, stumble upon an unidentified object in the night sky while observing from their astronomy club. Intrigued by their find, they decide to investigate further and report their observation to their teacher, Mr. Perry.

Consultation with Dr. Wolf

Mr. Perry, believing the object might be a satellite, encourages Leo and Sarah to document their observations and reach out to professional astronomer Dr. Wolf for guidance. This crucial step propels the students deeper into a discovery that could have global ramifications.

Confirmation of the Threat

Dr. Wolf reviews their findings and confirms the object is a comet on a direct collision course with Earth. Unfortunately, as he attempts to relay this urgent information to the authorities, a tragic server outage prevents him from sharing the data in time, leading to his untimely death.

Jenny Learns of the Secret

Jenny Lerner, an ambitious news researcher, faces obstacles in her career while covering the unremarkable resignation of the U.S. Secretary of Treasury. During a lunch with her mother, she overhears hints of a significant secret involving a potential extinction-level event, sparking her relentless investigative spirit.

Investigation of the Comet

Determined to uncover the truth, Jenny dedicates herself to researching the mysterious events surrounding the comet. Her persistence leads her to learn about the imminent disaster and she begins to piece together the larger picture threatening humanity's future.

Meeting with the President

Jenny's investigation culminates in a confidential meeting with President Morgan Freeman, where she receives confirmation of the comet’s threat. She is tasked with keeping the information under wraps until the time is right for an official announcement, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Official Announcement

In a pivotal press conference, President Beck reveals the existence of Comet Wolf-Biederman and the imminent danger it poses. He announces the launch of a mission named 'Messiah' to intercept the comet and prevent disaster, marking a historic moment for humanity.

Rising Tensions

Following the announcement, societal tensions rise as families grapple with the ramifications of the impending disaster. A lottery system is introduced to determine who will be saved, heightening fears and anxiety among the public as they await the mission's outcome.

The Messiah Mission

The crew of the Messiah, including veteran Captain Tanner, embarks on their perilous mission into space. With the stakes higher than ever, they face numerous challenges, including unexpected technical failures and the daunting task of detonating the comet before impact.

Desperate Measures

As the mission begins to falter, the crew must make a fateful decision to execute a potentially suicidal plan that could intercept the main body of the comet. The clock is ticking, and their survival depends on the successful completion of this dangerous maneuver.

Comet Impact

The comet fragments strike Earth, causing catastrophic destruction and generating tsunamis that devastate coastal cities. As the impact unfolds, chaos ensues both in space and on the ground, magnifying the urgency of the crew's mission and their sacrifices.

Atlantic Ocean

Leo's Determination

Amidst the chaos of the comet impact and the ensuing destruction, Leo's main focus remains on saving Sarah and their families. His resolve symbolizes the human spirit's refusal to yield in the face of overwhelming adversity, as he navigates the tumultuous landscape of their new reality.

Emotional Aftermath

In the wake of the catastrophic events, survivors confront a world irrevocably changed. President Beck delivers an emotional address, encapsulating the losses endured while instilling hope for a future built on resilience and unity among the fractured population.

Resilience and Hope

As communities begin to come together in the aftermath of the disaster, people rally around a common resolve to rebuild what was lost. The film concludes with a poignant reminder of humanity's strength and resilience, even in the face of an apocalypse.

Characters

Explore all characters from Deep Impact (1998). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood)

Leo is a passionate and determined student with a keen interest in astronomy. His discovery of the comet sets off the chain of events that define the film's narrative. His commitment to saving his loved ones showcases his bravery and deep emotional connections.

🌟 Student 🔭 Astronomer

Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni)

Jenny is a tenacious and ambitious news researcher striving to elevate her career. Her investigative skills lead her to uncover crucial information about the impending disaster. Jenny embodies resilience and resourcefulness as she navigates the complexities of her professional and personal life.

📰 Journalist 💪 Resilient

President Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman)

President Beck is a calm and composed leader faced with the monumental task of guiding the nation through catastrophe. His strong, compassionate leadership shines through as he addresses the public about the comet threat and the proposed counteraction.

🇺🇸 Leader 🎓 Wise

Captain Tanner (Robert Duvall)

Captain Tanner is the experienced, veteran leader of the crew on the mission to destroy the comet. His resolve and leadership skills are crucial during high-stakes scenarios in space, where his ability to stay composed under pressure is tested.

🚀 Captain 🧑‍✈️ Veteran

Setting

Learn where and when Deep Impact (1998) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The events of the movie unfold in a modern-day setting, paralleling contemporary concerns about climate change and existential threats to humanity. This timeframe highlights the technological advancements in space exploration and the importance of scientific inquiry in averting disasters.

Location

Earth, Atlantic Ocean

The movie primarily takes place on Earth, with significant locations including the cities threatened by a comet impact. The Atlantic Ocean serves as the dramatic backdrop for catastrophic events resulting from the comet's fragments, leading to devastating tsunamis that obliterate coastal cities. The film showcases the resilience of humanity in these calamitous scenarios.

🌍 Earth 🌊 Ocean

Themes

Discover the main themes in Deep Impact (1998). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌌

Survival

Survival is a pivotal theme as humanity faces an extinction-level event. The characters are presented with dire choices as they confront the end of the world and must determine who gets the chance to survive. The film underscores the emotional weight of these decisions, showcasing both the personal stakes and the broader implications for society.

🔭

Discovery

The theme of discovery is woven throughout the narrative as the characters—especially the students—uncover the truth about the comet. This theme reflects the importance of scientific curiosity and the quest for knowledge, highlighting how critical discoveries can change the course of humanity's fate.

🤝

Unity

Unity emerges as a vital theme as characters must come together to confront a global threat. The story paints a picture of humanity's collective resolve to collaborate in the face of disaster, emphasizing that only through cooperation can challenges of such magnitude be overcome.

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