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Target (2004) Plot Summary & Timeline

Target (2004) movie poster

Target is a 2004 thriller and action film directed by William Webb, running 1 hour 24 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 260 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Target.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
6
themes explained
3
Target (2004) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 24m
Director
William Webb
Genres
Thriller, Action
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Target About?

The premise of Target in 250 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the shadowed corridors of a once‑glorious military career, Charlie Snow carries the quiet weight of a sniper whose precision once defined him—and whose conscience now haunts him. Decorated and disciplined, he once chose a single, decisive shot that saved strangers but cost fellow soldiers their lives, a moment that reshaped his identity and left him estranged from the very institution that forged him. Now, back on American soil, the veteran lives a muted existence, his former glory reduced to whispered rumors and a lingering sense of unfinished business.

The story unfolds against the sprawling, sun‑bleached backdrop of Los Angeles, a city whose glittering veneer masks a network of hidden dangers and unresolved scores. Within its streets, the line between past and present blurs, and the echoes of Charlie’s wartime decisions reverberate through every alley and high‑rise. The atmosphere is taut, a blend of gritty realism and tense noir, where ordinary moments feel charged with the possibility of violent retribution.

At home, Charlie’s marriage to Maggie hangs on a fragile thread, and the prospect of protecting the people he loves weighs heavily on his shoulders. Their children—interwoven with his sense of duty—represent both the normalcy he craves and the vulnerability that makes him a target. As an unseen, relentless force from his past edges closer, the veteran must confront the ghost of his former self, drawing upon the same cold focus that once made him the ultimate marksman while navigating a world where every decision could ignite a new conflict.

Full plot

What Happens in Target?

The complete story of Target, from the first scene to the last, in 260 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Charlie Snow Stephen Baldwin is a highly decorated war hero and a sniper who never lets emotion guide the mission—until a mission changes everything. While providing cover for an undercover arms dealer sting, he is forced into a dilemma as, through his scope, he witnesses a hostage crisis unfold. The decision he makes cost his fellow soldiers their lives, yet he also manages to kill the hostage-taker, arms dealer Lendl Bodnar Mio Deckala.

Back in the US, Charlie is a shell of the man he once was. He has been ostracized from the government, and his family is unraveling. His wife Maggie Deborah Worthing is close to finalizing their split, leaving Charlie to grapple with guilt and isolation.

But Charlie’s world is about to be rocked. Lendl Bodnar has a brother named Yevon Bodnar Yorgo Constantine, an arms dealer who wants revenge on Charlie for Lendl’s death. The threat shifts from memory to immediacy as Charlie learns that Maggie has been kidnapped, and his daughter Lisa Snow Steffani Brass and son Sam Snow Rory Thost are in danger. Everywhere he turns, he’s cornered by Yevon’s men, pushing him to confront old skills and dangerous contacts once more.

To rescue Maggie and stop the threat, Charlie must summon all the tactics that made him a formidable operative and reconnect with his secret ops government links. The path ahead forces him to navigate a web of danger, deception, and loyalties, testing whether he can protect his family while confronting the man who believes he can pay back what was taken from him.

Timeline

Target Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “The Mission Briefing and Setup” to “Redemption and Return to Normal”. 11 events name a place, across 11 locations.

  1. 1

    The Mission Briefing and Setup

    Charlie Snow, a highly decorated sniper, agrees to provide cover for an undercover arms dealer sting operation. From his rifle scope, he watches a hostage crisis unfold and feels the weight of the moment. He makes a choice that will haunt him long after the mission ends.

    When:During the operation Where:Frontline

  2. 2

    The Fateful Decision and Aftermath

    During the crisis, Charlie’s decision costs his fellow soldiers their lives. He nonetheless manages to kill the hostage-taker, Lendl Bodnar, ending the immediate threat. The action saves lives but creates a deeper personal burden.

    When:During the crisis Where:Battlefield

  3. 3

    Return to a Broken Home

    Back home in the United States, Charlie is a shell of his former self. He is ostracized by the government and his family is unraveling as Maggie teeters on divorce.

    Where:United States

  4. 4

    New Threat Emerges

    Although Lendl is dead, his brother Yevon Bodnar emerges as a new threat, determined to avenge his sibling. He targets Charlie as the man responsible for his brother's downfall.

    When:Some time after

  5. 5

    Maggie is Kidnapped

    Charlie learns that Maggie has been kidnapped and that Lisa and Sam are in danger as Yevon’s men close in. The safe world Charlie hoped to return to dissolves into a maze of enemies and traps.

    When:Soon after Where:Home / City

  6. 6

    A Call to Action

    Facing this peril, Charlie must summon his old special-ops tactics. He reconnects with secret government links that can lead him to Maggie and the people who betrayed him.

    When:Immediate Where:Secret government network

  7. 7

    The Rescue Plan Forms

    Charlie lays out a plan to infiltrate Yevon’s network and locate Maggie. He uses his sniper skills and covert connections to gain the edge needed to strike.

    When:Assemble plan Where:Safehouse / Network

  8. 8

    Infiltration and Pursuit

    He moves through dangerous networks, countering Yevon’s men and tracing the kidnapper’s trail. The clock is ticking as threats close in around him.

    When:Night operations Where:Urban terrain

  9. 9

    The Showdown with Yevon

    Charlie confronts Yevon Bodnar in a high-stakes showdown that tests every skill he once relied on. The clash blends tactical stealth with raw resolve as he fights to end the danger.

    When:During the climax Where:City outskirts / Yevon’s location

  10. 10

    Maggie's Rescue and Family Rebuilt

    Charlie manages to rescue Maggie and begins rebuilding trust with his children. The immediate danger is quelled, and the family starts to heal.

    When:Resolution Where:Maggie's location

  11. 11

    Downfall of the Antagonist's Network

    With Yevon defeated, Charlie helps dismantle the remaining elements of the arms-dealing network. He takes down the operation that threatened his family and others.

    When:After the rescue Where:Various locations

  12. 12

    Redemption and Return to Normal

    Charlie comes to terms with his past actions and chooses a path of protection rather than destruction. He strives to rebuild his life with Maggie and the kids, redefining his purpose.

    When:Closing scene Where:Home

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Target?

6 characters, among them Charlie Snow (Stephen Baldwin), Lendl Bodnar (Mio Deckala) and Yevon Bodnar (Yorgo Constantine): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Stephen Baldwin as Charlie Snow (Stephen Baldwin) in Target

    Charlie Snow (Stephen Baldwin)

    Played by Stephen Baldwin

    A highly decorated war hero and sniper who sacrificed emotion for the mission. After a failed decision during a hostage crisis, he is ostracized and must confront the personal cost of his past. Now a hunted man, he must reconnect with covert links to rescue his wife and children from a calculated revenge plot.

    • 🎯 Soldier
    • 🧠 Tactician
    • 💔 Guilty
  • LB

    Lendl Bodnar (Mio Deckala)

    Played by Mio Deckala

    An ruthless arms dealer whose death triggers the central conflict. His actions and network drive the antagonist’s pursuit of Charlie, creating a web of danger that spills into Charlie's civilian life.

    • 🔫 Arms Dealer
    • 💣 Criminal
    • 💀 Villain
  • YB

    Yevon Bodnar (Yorgo Constantine)

    Played by Yorgo Constantine

    Brother of Lendl and a ruthless arms dealer seeking revenge against Charlie. He and his network launch relentless assaults, turning every lead into a threat against Charlie's family.

    • 🔫 Criminal
    • 🧭 Villain
    • 💥 Threat
  • MS

    Maggie Snow (Deborah Worthing)

    Played by Deborah Worthing

    Charlie’s wife who is on the brink of separation. Her kidnapping becomes the catalyst for Charlie’s return to action, highlighting the personal stakes beyond the battlefield.

    • 💖 Wife
    • 🧭 Target
    • 🏠 Family
  • LS

    Lisa Snow (Steffani Brass)

    Played by Steffani Brass

    Charlie and Maggie's daughter, a reminder of the family Charlie is fighting to protect. Her peril intensifies the story’s emotional stakes and motivates Charlie’s renewed mission.

    • 👧 Daughter
    • 🛡️ Shield
    • 💔 Family
  • SS

    Sam Snow (Rory Thost)

    Played by Rory Thost

    Charlie and Maggie's son, caught in the danger that follows the family into the thriller’s tense confrontations. His safety is a constant worry for Charlie.

    • 🧒 Son
    • 🛡️ Protected
    • ⚠️ Risk
Setting

Where and When Is Target Set?

Target is set in United States. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

United States

Set primarily in the United States, the story unfolds across urban streets and government operation locations. It reflects a contemporary, high-stakes environment where national security actions ripple into civilian life. The setting emphasizes the tension between a soldier's past glory and his present vulnerability as danger closes in.

  • 🎯 Action
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Spy
  • 🧭 Thriller
Themes

What Are the Themes of Target?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Redemption, Duty vs Family and Revenge and Consequences.

  1. 01

    Redemption

    A fallen hero seeks redemption as guilt shadows his every decision. The film traces how past choices haunt the present and test the limits of forgiveness. Through his renewed resolve to protect his family, Charlie rekindles the discipline that once defined him, hinting at a chance to reclaim his humanity.

  2. 02

    Duty vs Family

    The narrative pits professional duty against personal bonds. Charlie's military creed clashes with his desire to shield Maggie and the kids, forcing him to navigate a thin line between ruthless efficiency and heartfelt responsibility. The story uses these tensions to explore what a warrior sacrifices when the battlefield becomes home.

  3. 03

    Revenge and Consequences

    Revenge fuels the antagonist's actions, but the pursuit of vengeance carries a heavy toll. Bodnar’s vendetta sets off a web of attacks that threaten everyone Charlie loves. The film underscores how violence compounds itself, demanding hard choices and exposing the cost of a lifetime spent chasing enemies.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Target?

Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
High
Ending
Happy

A relentlessly tense and fast-paced thriller that places a guilt-ridden veteran under immense pressure, creating a high-stakes atmosphere of desperation as he fights to save his family from a vengeful enemy.

  • tense
  • anxious
  • relentless
  • high-stakes
  • lonely
  • driven
  • revenge
  • sniper
  • family in peril
  • veteran trauma

Content notes: kidnapping, family endangerment, war violence, trauma, revenge killing.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Target

Stream it on Plex and The Roku Channel, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

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FAQ

Target Plot Questions

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

What is Target about?

In the shadowed corridors of a once‑glorious military career, Charlie Snow carries the quiet weight of a sniper whose precision once defined him—and whose conscience now haunts him.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Target take place?

Target is set in United States. Set primarily in the United States, the story unfolds across urban streets and government operation locations. It reflects a contemporary, high-stakes environment where national security actions ripple into civilian…

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Target?

The story follows Charlie Snow (Stephen Baldwin) (played by Stephen Baldwin), Lendl Bodnar (Mio Deckala) (played by Mio Deckala), Yevon Bodnar (Yorgo Constantine) (played by Yorgo Constantine) and Maggie Snow (Deborah Worthing) (played by Deborah Worthing); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Target?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Redemption, Duty vs Family and Revenge and Consequences.

The themes explained

Who directed Target?

Target (2004) was directed by William Webb and runs 1 hour 24 minutes.

William Webb’s films

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