Logo What's After the Movie

Test your knowledge of The Condemned with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Condemned (2013). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


In a bleak and unforgiving environment, Jack Conrad (played by Ewan McStarley) finds himself languishing on death row in a Salvadoran prison, accepting his grim fate. But his life takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy television producer intervenes, buying his freedom along with nine other condemned criminals from around the globe. These unfortunate souls are transported to a desolate island in the South Pacific, where they are “offered” an opportunity to escape death by engaging in a merciless, high-stakes survival game.

The rules of this dark and twisted contest are straightforward: each contestant is fitted with an ankle bomb, a ticking countdown of 30 hours. The only way to avoid detonation is to eliminate the other participants through combat, with the last person standing earning their freedom and a hefty cash prize. Ian Breckel (character) masterminds this brutal spectacle with the goal of shattering online viewing records, targeting a staggering audience of 40 million, rivaling even the most-watched Super Bowl.

As the horrifying game unfolds, FBI agents begin to uncover Conrad’s true identity as Jack Riley, a former Delta Force operative who had been captured during a covert mission in El Salvador. Unbeknownst to him, his former girlfriend Sarah becomes embroiled in the chaos as she watches the event unfold from her local bar. The contestants on the island quickly turn against one another, with Ewan McStarley and Saiga forming an unlikely alliance to eliminate their foes.

Yet, Conrad operates as a solitary force, determined to survive and uncover the mysteries of his past. He skillfully infiltrates the broadcast tower to convey vital information to Sarah before being forced to withdraw. As the body count rises, Conrad finds himself in a desperate confrontation with McStarley and Saiga. In a brutal clash, Conrad eliminates Saiga with his blade, leaving McStarley to flee arm-in-arm with a shotgun he acquires from a downed helicopter.

Utilizing the terrain to his advantage, Conrad seeks refuge in a stream, hoping to escape. However, McStarley is relentless, murdering the cameraman and an armed guard in a shocking display of brutality. As Conrad’s fate hangs in the balance, the suspense of whether he will prevail or fall victim to the ruthless forces around him intensifies.

In a twist of fate, Conrad and McStarley cross paths again, leading Conrad to make a calculated decision to divert into a treacherous ravine, evading the deadly shots from McStarley’s shotgun. The fall into the tumultuous stream seems to claim Conrad’s life, granting McStarley a hollow victory. However, as McStarley is driven to the control tower to collect his rewards, Breckel surprises him with shocking news: a team of Navy SEALs has been dispatched by the FBI to apprehend him.

Just when the situation escalates, Breckel unveils a sinister twist. Not only did he orchestrate the game from the outset, ensuring McStarley’s apparent victory, but it sends McStarley into a fury. Seizing an MP5 from a guard, he brutally eliminates the tech team, remaining oblivious to their innocence. His attention soon shifts to Julie, Breckel’s girlfriend, only to face a resurrected Conrad.

Their encounter ignites a raw exchange about McStarley’s traumatic past, burdened by memories of violence during his prison time in Africa. Fueled by rage, Conrad exacts his revenge, riddling McStarley with bullets. Taking control of McStarley’s machine guns, he embarks on a pursuit of Breckel, who attempts to escape via helicopter.

Conrad’s relentless chase culminates in a dramatic showdown, as he unleashes a barrage at the helicopter, with Julie hastily handing him McStarley’s reactivated ankle bomb. With keen precision, Conrad hurls the device into the helicopter, where Breckel makes a fatal error. The aircraft crashes into the cliffs, effectively ending Breckel’s merciless schemes.

With the malevolent forces defeated, Conrad returns home to Sarah in Texas, now a free man. Her overwhelming relief at his survival radiates as she warmly welcomes him back into her life, marking the end of this harrowing journey.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Condemned (2013) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Death Row

Jack Conrad finds himself on death row in a harsh Salvadoran prison, resigned to his grim fate. His days are mired in despair as he contemplates his approaching execution.

Salvadoran prison

A Second Chance

An unexpected opportunity arises when a wealthy television producer intervenes and buys the freedom of Jack and nine other condemned criminals. This surreal turn of events signals the start of a twisted survival game.

Desolate Island

The contestants are transported to a desolate island in the South Pacific, where they are given a harrowing choice: compete in a fight to the death or face execution. Ankle bombs with a 30-hour countdown are strapped to them, ensuring high stakes.

Desolate island in the South Pacific

Game Begins

The brutal competition commences, orchestrated by Ian Breckel, aiming to break online viewing records. The contestants must eliminate each other to survive, with the last person standing winning their freedom and a substantial cash prize.

Identity Uncovered

As events unfold on the island, FBI agents start to uncover Jack's true identity as Jack Riley, a former Delta Force operative. Meanwhile, his former girlfriend Sarah becomes unintentionally involved, watching the horrifying contest from a local bar.

Alliances Formed

Contestants begin to form alliances to survive the brutal game. Jack Conrad teams up with Ewan McStarley and Saiga, but trust is fleeting as danger lurks at every corner.

Infiltration

In a bold move, Conrad infiltrates the broadcast tower to send a message to Sarah, hoping to let her know about the horrors on the island. He faces challenges and must withdraw before his plan is fully realized.

Broadcast tower

Brutal Confrontation

Tensions rise as Jack encounters McStarley and Saiga in a desperate confrontation. In a deadly clash, Jack eliminates Saiga, but the threat from McStarley continues to loom as he escapes with a shotgun.

Escaping the Pursuer

Utilizing the terrain to evade capture, Conrad seeks refuge in a stream, but McStarley is relentless. The pursuit intensifies as McStarley brutally murders others in his path, raising the stakes even further.

Stream

The Fall

A fateful encounter leads to Conrad diverting into a ravine to escape McStarley's gunfire. He falls into a tumultuous stream, leaving his survival in question while McStarley thinks he has secured victory.

Ravine

A Sinister Twist

As McStarley approaches the control tower to claim his winnings, Breckel reveals that Navy SEALs are on their way to apprehend him. This twist sends McStarley into a rage, killing innocent bystanders in the chaos.

Control tower

Revelations and Revenge

Amidst the turmoil, McStarley confronts Julie, Breckel’s girlfriend, only to realize that Conrad has survived. A raw confrontation ensues between Conrad and McStarley, addressing past traumas and igniting a fierce battle.

Pursuit and Showdown

Conrad takes control of McStarley’s equipment and embarks on a pursuit of Breckel, now desperate to escape. The chase culminates in a dramatic showdown where he unleashes a barrage of fire upon a helicopter.

Cliffs

The Final Trap

In a moment of sheer precision, Conrad uses McStarley's reactivated ankle bomb against the helicopter, resulting in a catastrophic crash that brings Breckel's reign of terror to an end. The malevolent game concludes with justice served.

Return to Freedom

With the antagonists defeated and the game over, Conrad returns home to Texas a free man. The joyous reunion with Sarah marks the end of his harrowing journey, as they embrace a newfound life together.

Texas

Characters

Explore all characters from The Condemned (2013). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Jack Conrad

Jack Conrad, also known as Jack Riley, is a resourceful former Delta Force operative who finds himself fighting for survival in a deadly contest. Initially accepting of his fate, he evolves into a cunning strategist, leveraging his military training to navigate the brutal challenges on the island. Driven by a desire to uncover his past and reunite with his former girlfriend, Conrad grapples with moral choices while evading his competitors.

🪖 Survivor 🔍 Resourceful 💔 Determined

Ian Breckel

Ian Breckel is the mastermind behind the brutal survival game, driven by ambition and a lust for ratings. He exhibits a cold and calculating demeanor, orchestrating the contest to achieve unprecedented viewership statistics. His character embodies the intersection of ambition and moral bankruptcy, showcasing how far one might go for fame and profit.

🎥 Manipulative 💰 Ambitious 📉 Ruthless

Sarah

Sarah is Jack Conrad's former girlfriend, who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the chaos as she watches the deadly contest unfold. Her character reflects vulnerability and concern, embodying the emotional stakes of the narrative as she hopes for Conrad's survival. Her role highlights the personal connections and the enduring hope that lies amidst dark circumstances.

❤️ Supportive 😟 Concerned 🌟 Hopeful

McStarley

McStarley is one of the antagonistic contestants, known for his ruthlessness and survival instincts. His character illustrates the darker aspects of human nature, driven by desperation and brutality. Complicit in the violence of the game, he serves as a foil to Conrad, representing the chaos that ensues when morality is stripped away.

🗡️ Brutal 🔫 Dangerous ⚔️ Antagonist

Setting

Learn where and when The Condemned (2013) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The film's context implies a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues such as media exploitation and the dark side of reality television. It highlights the moral decay and desperation that can arise in a high-stakes environment, echoing current debates around ethics in entertainment.

Location

Salvadoran prison, South Pacific island, Texas

The movie unfolds in a grim Salvadoran prison, known for its harsh conditions and death row inmates. The action then shifts to a desolate island in the South Pacific, a place marked by treachery and danger as contestants vie for survival in a brutal game. Finally, the story concludes back in Texas, representing safety and a return to normalcy after a harrowing ordeal.

🏝️ Island 🚔 Prison 🌵 Texas

Themes

Discover the main themes in The Condemned (2013). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🔪

Survival

The theme of survival permeates throughout the movie as characters are pushed to their limits in a twisted game where only one can emerge victorious. The contestants must navigate not only physical challenges but also moral dilemmas, as alliances form and dissolve under the pressure of life-or-death stakes. This exploration of human instincts reveals the darker side of humanity when faced with extreme circumstances.

📺

Exploitation

Exploitation is a central theme, exemplified by the television producer who turns death row inmates into entertainment for mass audiences. The film critiques how media can manipulate and dehumanize individuals for profit, raising ethical questions about viewers' consumption of violence and suffering as a form of entertainment. This theme reflects contemporary concerns regarding the impacts of reality TV and sensationalism in media.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.