Synopsis

Libby Parsons is convicted of murdering her wealthy husband after he disappears during a sailing trip and evidence points to her guilt. Years later, she discovers that he staged his death and framed her. After gaining parole, Libby begins tracking him down, determined to rescue her son and confront the man who destroyed her life, while parole officer Travis Lehman pursues her.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was released in the United States on September 24, 1999.

• Filming took place from July 15 through October 21, 1998. Locations included British Columbia, Whidbey Island in Washington, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans.

• Jodie Foster was initially attached to play Libby Parsons, but Ashley Judd took over after Foster became pregnant. Meg Ryan and Brooke Shields had also declined the role.

• The title refers to the Fifth Amendment protection against being tried twice for the same offense. The film's central legal idea is highly questionable: a person who was wrongly convicted would normally seek to have the conviction overturned, rather than receive a general right to commit a later killing.

• The production became a notable commercial success, earning approximately $177.8 million worldwide.

• The underwater car sequence became one of the film's most recognizable set pieces and helped distinguish the thriller from more conventional prison-break and revenge stories.

• Paramount later included the film in its Paramount Presents 4K Ultra HD line, giving the 1999 thriller a high-definition home-video restoration.