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Wrong Is Right (1982) Plot Summary & Timeline

Wrong Is Right (1982) movie poster

Wrong Is Right is a 1982 drama and thriller film directed by Richard Brooks, running 1 hour 57 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 284 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 11 key events in order, 3 characters, where and when it is set and 2 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Wrong Is Right.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
11
characters profiled
3
themes explained
2
Wrong Is Right (1982) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m
Director
Richard Brooks
Genres
Drama, Thriller, Comedy
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Wrong Is Right About?

The premise of Wrong Is Right in 288 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a near‑future world where the line between information and manipulation is razor‑thin, global powers scramble for control while ordinary citizens watch the news like a lifeline. The atmosphere feels both sleek and paranoid, a high‑tech landscape draped in the shadows of old rivalries. Politics are broadcast as theater, and every headline seems to hide a deeper current of unease, suggesting that the world itself has been reshaped by unseen agendas.

​Patrick Hale, a magnetic television journalist known for his ability to secure interviews with the most influential figures, is sent on a mission that could redefine his career. Drawn to a remote Arab nation that guards its secrets behind opulent palaces and fortified walls, he hopes to sit down with ​King Ibn Awad, a ruler whose position places him at the crossroads of regional tension and international intrigue. Their meeting promises insight, but the stakes feel already amplified by whispers of hidden dangers and diplomatic chess moves.

The film’s tone blends gritty realism with a stylized suspense, painting a portrait of a world where truth is a commodity and every conversation could be a trap. As Patrick steps deeper into the diplomatic maze, he encounters a mosaic of power brokers—politicians, military leaders, and shadowy intermediaries—each projecting confidence while cloaking their motives. The pervasive sense of deception fuels a relentless curiosity, urging him (and the audience) to question who pulls the strings behind the public façade.

Against this backdrop of looming crises and amplified suspicion, Patrick must negotiate the perilous balance between revealing what the world needs to know and surviving the forces that would keep those truths buried. The journey promises a tense, atmospheric exploration of media, power, and the fragile line that separates revelation from catastrophe.

Full plot

What Happens in Wrong Is Right?

The complete story of Wrong Is Right, from the first scene to the last, in 284 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

As the globe spirals toward chaos, the very essence of reality appears to be crafted from strands of deception. Set in a dystopian near-future, this narrative follows Patrick Hale, a skilled journalist with elite access to global leaders, as he embarks on a perilous journey to Hegreb, a mysterious Arab nation.

Hale’s pursuit of the truth leads him to reconnect with King Ibn Awad, who finds himself in a precarious situation. It seems that the President of the United States might have authorized Awad’s removal, compelling the king to take drastic actions. With chilling precision, Awad devises a plan to deliver two suitcase nuclear devices to a terrorist known as Rafeeq. His demands are dire: these bombs are to be detonated in Israel and the United States unless the president steps down.

As Hale digs deeper into this convoluted web, he realizes that nothing is as it appears. He becomes enmeshed in a tangle of political intrigue, encountering revolutionaries, CIA operatives, and various pivotal figures along the way. Each revelation challenges Hale’s initial assumptions and forces him to confront uncomfortable truths about those in power.

The tension peaks when the government, with Hale in tow, uncovers two atomic bombs purportedly placed by Rafeeq at the top of the World Trade Center. The U.S. administration utilizes this situation as a justification for invading the Middle East, under the guise of securing oil resources. As Hale starts to piece together the government’s ulterior motives, he suspects that these bombs exist primarily to galvanize domestic support for military action. Reluctantly, he agrees to report on the incident, fulfilling the needs of the government for coverage in exchange for unrestricted access to the front lines of the conflict.

Timeline

Wrong Is Right Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

11 key events in the order they happen, from “Journalist's Quest” to “Confronting the Truth”. 3 events name a place, across 2 locations.

  1. 1

    Journalist's Quest

    The story begins in a dystopian near-future where chaos reigns globally. Patrick Hale, an accomplished journalist with unique access to global leaders, becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the unfolding events.

  2. 2

    Reaching Hegreb

    Hale embarks on a perilous journey to the mysterious Arab nation of Hegreb. His mission is fueled by the need to reconnect with King Ibn Awad, who is ensnared in rising political tensions.

    Where:Hegreb

  3. 3

    Meeting King Ibn Awad

    Upon reaching Hegreb, Hale has a tense meeting with King Ibn Awad. The king reveals his precarious situation, hinting that the President of the United States may have ordered his removal.

    Where:Hegreb

  4. 4

    Awad's Dangerous Plan

    Realizing the gravity of his predicament, Awad devises a chilling plan involving two suitcase nuclear devices. He intends to deliver these bombs to a notorious terrorist named Rafeeq as a form of political leverage.

  5. 5

    Dreadful Demands

    The king's demands are stark; the nuclear devices are to be detonated in Israel and the United States unless the U.S. president resigns. This ultimatum sets off alarm bells in Hale's mind, as the stakes rise to unimaginable levels.

  6. 6

    Political Intrigue Unfolds

    As Hale digs deeper, he becomes entwined in a complex web of political intrigue. He encounters revolutionaries and CIA operatives, revealing layers of deceit that challenge his understanding of the situation.

  7. 7

    The Discovery of Atomic Bombs

    The tension escalates when Hale learns that two atomic bombs are allegedly placed at the top of the World Trade Center. This discovery sends shockwaves through the government and the public.

    Where:World Trade Center

  8. 8

    Government's Justification

    In a calculated move, the U.S. government uses the threat of these bombs as a justification to invade the Middle East. The invasion is framed as a mission to secure vital oil resources for the nation.

  9. 9

    Hale's Growing Suspicion

    As Hale digs into the government's response, he begins to suspect that the bombs were planted to manipulate public sentiment. He grows increasingly wary of the administration's hidden agendas.

  10. 10

    Reluctant Agreement

    Confronted with the reality of the situation, Hale reluctantly agrees to report on the incident. He understands that his cooperation will grant him unrestricted access to the front lines of the conflict.

  11. 11

    Confronting the Truth

    Throughout his journey, Hale confronts hard-hitting truths about the powers manipulating the global narrative. His resolve to seek the truth becomes entangled in the perilous games played by those in authority.

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Wrong Is Right?

3 characters, among them Patrick Hale, King Ibn Awad and Rafeeq: who each one is and the part they play in the story.

  • PH

    Patrick Hale

    Patrick Hale is portrayed as a skilled journalist deeply entrenched in global politics. His elite access to leaders and events positions him as a critical mediator of information, but also places him in perilous situations that test his integrity. Hale’s journey embodies the struggle of maintaining journalistic ethics in a world fraught with manipulation and deception.

    • 📰 Journalist
    • 🧭 Truth-seeker
    • 🌍 Exposer
  • KI

    King Ibn Awad

    King Ibn Awad is a pivotal character caught in a web of political treachery and desperation. His precarious situation compels him to navigate international politics while managing internal threats. Awad’s character reflects the dilemma faced by leaders who must balance power, security, and global perception amidst chaos.

    • 👑 Monarch
    • ⚖️ Political player
    • 🔥 Conflict-wielder
  • R

    Rafeeq

    Rafeeq is depicted as a formidable antagonist whose actions drive much of the film's tension. As a terrorist actor, he embodies the extreme measures taken in geopolitical conflicts, wielding nuclear threats to achieve his demands. His presence intensifies the urgency of Hale’s mission and challenges the characters' moral boundaries.

    • 💣 Terrorist
    • 🔒 Threat
    • 🌪️ Chaos-instigator
Setting

Where and When Is Wrong Is Right Set?

Wrong Is Right is set in Hegreb, Israel, United States and World Trade Center (Dystopian near-future). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Dystopian near-future

The dystopian near-future depicted in the film paints a picture of a world grappling with chaos and systemic deception. This period is characterized by political intrigue and the dangers posed by nuclear proliferation, mirroring real-world anxieties about government transparency and the global power dynamics. The underlying tension signifies the precarious balance between national security and individual freedoms.

Where

Hegreb, Israel, United States, World Trade Center

Hegreb is depicted as a mysterious Arab nation that serves as a critical location in the film’s narrative, reflecting the high-stakes political landscape. Israel, a focal point of tension due to the threats posed by Rafeeq, symbolizes the escalating conflict in the region. The World Trade Center stands as a potent symbol of American resilience, but in the movie, it becomes the targeted site for nuclear terror, highlighting the destructive potential of geopolitical conflicts.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌍 Geopolitical
  • 🕌 Middle East
Themes

What Are the Themes of Wrong Is Right?

2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Truth vs. Deception and Geopolitical Tension.

  1. 01

    Truth vs. Deception

    The theme of truth versus deception runs prominently throughout the narrative as Patrick Hale seeks to uncover underlying motives behind political actions. This tension is mirrored in the government's manipulation of events to achieve their goals, challenging the concept of objective truth. The film posits that in a world rife with misinformation, discerning reality becomes a perilous task.

  2. 02

    Geopolitical Tension

    Geopolitical tension is central to the narrative, examining the complex interplay of international relations and domestic politics. As characters navigate this intricate landscape, the film reveals how power plays can lead to dire consequences, including the potential for nuclear conflict. This theme serves as a critique of how global events can be sensationalized to suit political agendas.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Wrong Is Right?

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

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Complex
Intensity
High
Ending
Mixed

A fast-paced and intensely anxious political thriller that creates a grim, cynical atmosphere by exploring a convoluted global conspiracy built on media manipulation and government lies.

  • anxious
  • suspenseful
  • grim
  • paranoid
  • cynical
  • fast-paced
  • political satire
  • media corruption
  • global conspiracy
  • war justification

Content notes: war violence, nuclear threat, political violence.

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Where to watch

Where to Watch Wrong Is Right

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

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FAQ

Wrong Is Right Plot Questions

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

What is Wrong Is Right about?

In a near‑future world where the line between information and manipulation is razor‑thin, global powers scramble for control while ordinary citizens watch the news like a lifeline. The atmosphere feels both sleek and paranoid, a high‑tech landscape draped in the shadows of old rivalries.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Wrong Is Right take place?

Wrong Is Right is set in Hegreb, Israel, United States and World Trade Center (Dystopian near-future). The dystopian near-future depicted in the film paints a picture of a world grappling with chaos and systemic deception.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Wrong Is Right?

The story follows Patrick Hale, King Ibn Awad and Rafeeq.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Wrong Is Right?

The summary picks out 2 themes: Truth vs. Deception and Geopolitical Tension.

The themes explained

Who directed Wrong Is Right?

Wrong Is Right (1982) was directed by Richard Brooks and runs 1 hour 57 minutes.

Richard Brooks’s films

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