ML
Marge Gunderson
The pregnant police chief of Brainerd. She is patient, friendly and much sharper than people initially assume.
ClearStory FILM GUIDE
Fargo (the movie)1996
Follow the failed plan. Keep the ending hidden.
What you need to know
Minnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard is in serious financial trouble. He hires two criminals to kidnap his wife, Jean, planning to make her wealthy father pay a ransom. Jerry expects to control the deal, but the scheme quickly creates problems he cannot manage.
1 hour 38 minutesCrime thriller and dark comedySet in Minnesota and North Dakota in 1987
OPTIONAL REFERENCECharacters, places and useful termsContains story details. Open after watching.
QUICK REMINDER
9 peopleThe only names you need
JL
Jerry Lundegaard
A Minneapolis car salesman in financial trouble. He arranges the kidnapping of his own wife without telling her or her father.
CS
Carl Showalter
The talkative, impatient criminal Jerry hires. He expects a simple job and becomes increasingly angry when it goes wrong.
GG
Gaear Grimsrud
Carl’s quiet and violent partner. He rarely speaks and reacts to problems very differently from Carl.
JG
Jean Lundegaard
Jerry’s wife and the intended kidnapping victim. She knows nothing about her husband’s plan.
WG
Wade Gustafson
Jean’s wealthy father and Jerry’s employer. Jerry expects him to provide the ransom money.
SG
Stan Grossman
Wade’s business adviser. He helps Wade respond to the kidnapping and is wary of Jerry’s decisions.
NG
Norm Gunderson
Marge’s supportive husband, an artist whose wildlife painting has entered a competition.
SP
Shep Proudfoot
A mechanic at Jerry’s dealership whose criminal contact connects Jerry with Carl and Gaear.
DURING THE FILM
Recap as you go
Choose only a scene you have completed. If you are unsure, wait until you finish watching.
Optional story focusContains story details. Open after watching.
AFTER WATCHING
Key story points
This section contains major spoilers, including the ending.
Content note: Kidnapping, strong violence and bloody injury, murder, domestic threat, strong language and a brief sexual scene.
An unofficial, independently written viewing companion for the 1996 film Fargo. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MGM, PolyGram, Working Title, the Coen brothers or the filmmakers. No official images, logos or film artwork are used.