The playwright, named Robert Longfellow, has returned to his childhood home in Los Angeles to try to work on his latest script. However, he finds himself struggling to concentrate due to the personal and professional issues plaguing his life. His wife has left him, and his producer is pressuring him to finish the script.
In the midst of this turmoil, Robert has a chance encounter with his neighbor, Gus, who is a former criminal and a staunch conservative. Despite their differences, the two men strike up a conversation and begin to bond over their shared experiences.
However, tensions soon rise when Gus reveals that he has taken a young mother and her child hostage in his apartment. Robert becomes embroiled in the situation and finds himself trapped in Gus's apartment with the hostages.
As the two men are forced to confront their differences and their shared past, their interactions become increasingly explosive. The play becomes a commentary on the political divisions in American society and the human capacity for both violence and compassion.
Collaborator is directed and written by Martin Donovan, who also stars in the film alongside David Morse and Olivia Williams. The movie premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2011 and has received positive reviews for its intense performances and thought-provoking themes.