The cyber-thriller film Blackhat directed by Michael Mann was released in the United States.
Though unrelated, this significant film release in the same month sets the cinematic context of Blackhat's release period.
A cyberattack causes a catastrophic explosion at a nuclear power plant cooling system in Hong Kong, originating from a hidden malware code.
A malware attack disrupts the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, causing significant financial chaos and marking a cross-border cyber threat.
Nicholas Hathaway, a convicted hacker, is released from prison to assist in investigating the cyberattacks under federal supervision.
Led by FBI agent Carol Barrett and Nicholas Hathaway, a specialized team is assembled to track down the origins of the cyberattacks.
The task force identifies a link between the cyberattack and a large, illicit operation in Indonesia involving illegal mining and smuggling.
Identification of Lien Chen, a Chinese hacker who helps the team trace the cybercriminal network.
The team faces a violent confrontation with local criminals while investigating the Indonesian mining operation.
The team discovers the main cybercriminal behind the coordinated attacks is an individual named Kassim.
A massive cyberattack destabilizes a power plant in Abbottabad, Pakistan, escalating the threat to global infrastructure.
Nicholas Hathaway and team confront Kassim in his hideout located in an illegal tin mine in Indonesia, leading to a violent showdown.
Kassim is killed, and the malware attacks are terminated, preventing further global cyber warfare.
