The Ref (Hostile Hostages in some countries) is a 1994 American black comedy film directed by Ted Demme, starring Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey and Glynis Johns. Plot On Christmas Eve in an affluent Connecticut hamlet, Lloyd and Caroline Chasseur are in a marriage counseling session. Caroline has had an affair, and Lloyd is miserable and blames the behavioral problems of their 15-year-old son Jesse on his wife's coddling of him. Caroline calls out Lloyd for his inability to stand up to his domineering mother, Rose. In the same town, cat burglar Gus is in the midst of stealing jewelry from a home he has broken into. However, his plan goes awry when he accidentally sets off the alarm and is chased out by a guard dog. His getaway car, driven by his bumbling partner Murray, is no longer there. At a convenience store, he runs into Lloyd and Caroline and decides to take them hostage, ordering the couple to drive him to their house. Along the way, Caroline and Lloyd continue to argue, with Gus having to repeatedly intercede and telling them to shut up. At the Chasseur house, Gus has Lloyd and Caroline tied up as he figures out a way to flee town with Murray. Lloyd and Caroline continue to bicker. Knowing that Murray usually seeks refuge at seedy bars, Gus calls the local bar and manages to get in touch with him. He instructs Murray to steal a boat for their getaway. The local police set up roadblocks and impose a curfew to look for Gus, while two inept officers go door-to-door. Lt. Huff, the police chief, is less than concerned because the town rarely sees criminal activity like this. Jesse, who has been away at a military school, arrives home earlier than his parents expect. Unbeknownst to his parents, Jesse has been blackmailing the school's commanding officer, Siskel, with photographs of an affair, and is stashing the money with plans of running away. Gus has Jesse tied up along with his parents. Jesse, unhappy with his home life, pleads to join Gus into a life of crime, but Gus calls Jesse out on his naivety and tells the boy he should appreciate his comfortable upbringing. As the police search for Gus expands, he is forced to continue hiding out in the Chasseur home while he waits on Murray. Complicating matters are visiting neighbors, such