Factual error: The Sheriff of the small town is wearing Sergeant stripes on her shoulder sleeves. If she was a Sheriff then no chevrons should be on her sleeves.
Audio problem: The FBI agent is in pursuit of a suspect in a hospital, once he enters the stairwell he draws his Glock handgun, and a click can be heard for a safety disengaging. Glocks are striker fired, they contain no external safeties that can be manipulated that would cause a sound. A sound can also be heard after the gun is already drawn from the holster, representing a holster draw sound. (00:22:22)
Continuity mistake: Katie has been grounded, and like most teenagers decides to just drink up a lot of booze. She's sitting on the bedroom floor with her bestie and passes her the bottle of vodka: her friend takes it with her left hand and drinks, but in the following shot she's finishing the gulp by holding it in her right hand instead.
Other mistake: Daniel realises that Adereth gave him his own passport. When he looks at it, notice the machine code line; it's the passport of someone born on April 30, 1963, far off from Daniel's age, and more importantly, not matching the ID's date. October 10th 1982. (00:20:30)
Continuity mistake: At the start of the film, a man is giving a tour of a building under reconstruction to some potential buyers. One shot, as he's telling them that this sits on a 14-acre lot, there are just 3 people as they walk through a doorway. The film jump cuts to a closer angle, and suddenly a 4th person appears in front of them from thin air. (00:02:34)
Visible crew/equipment: As the camera moves forward in the opening shot, a clear reflection of a film light can be seen on the side of the fire engine.
Revealing mistake: Although the background scenery in the basement (behind the judge and Ron) changes with camera views, what is shown rarely (if ever) corresponds to the correct size and angle/location that would be expected. For example, the file cabinet in the corner behind Judge Straight shows up in different places, some very close to him and others at a distance; its size is not proportionate. Sometimes, the brick wall is directly behind the judge but to the right (of the screen) at other times. (00:03:28 - 00:11:29)
Other mistake: Glen/Charlie poured gasoline all over the vehicle he killed Sandra in - including its soft convertible top - but the flames stayed around the car's perimeter. (00:50:54 - 00:51:26)
Continuity mistake: The first time Tree is in the hospital, as she enters the room holding the ax with both hands, pay close attention - repeatedly between cuts, her left hand instantly rises and lowers several inches on the ax handle. This happens at least two or three times.
Continuity mistake: The amount of blood on 10-year-old Miguel's face and neck after his "jump in" is not consistent. Sometimes there is more (or less) blood on his cheeks and neck and sometimes it appears splattered compared to large areas diluted with blood. The intensity/color of the blood also changes - sometimes it is very red but other times it is paler. The cut on his left eyebrow apparently was not on the far left corner yet sometimes the blood started there; other times, the blood started almost to the middle of his eyebrow. Sometimes he has blood below his eyebrow. Despite all the blood on his face and neck (down to the sagging T-shirt), there is no blood on his white or light grey T-shirt. He also does not get any blood on his jacket. Miguel was repeatedly punched then kicked by several large, muscular adult gang members for 13 seconds (to become a member of the MS-13 gang) but is unrealistically able to get right up then go and pick up and carry his dog - with no limping or signs of pain. (00:29:15)
Continuity mistake: Mulligan hands Gabriel a SIM, and later on it becomes an SD memory card. (01:36:00 - 01:37:27)
Continuity mistake: After the cartoon segment, Deni entertains some playful banter with his girlfriend and takes off, putting a shirt on while he runs. When the neighbour asks him "Late again?", the guitar strap is on opposite sides of the instrument as the editing switches to a reverse shot. (00:06:40)
Continuity mistake: Peri is being visited by the nice Dr. Berthram. The stethoscope tube passes between shots from outside the collar of the shirt, to inside. (00:24:40)
Continuity mistake: After fifteen years, Bethany and Clara meet in unlikely circumstances, They are having a drink together on the porch; throughout the whole scene Clara's glass appears and disappears randomly, sometimes literally full to the brim. (00:02:15)
Continuity mistake: For a second time in the movie, someone buzzes June on the intercom. She tries to overcome her fears and get out of the apartment, but can't. She shuts the door, leans with the left hand on the doorframe by the chain, and lowers her arm. In the next shot, Naomi Watts is breathing deeply still with her hand by the chain. (00:06:05)
Deliberate mistake: Carson's [John Travolta] cat Raymond did not appear to be in the pet carrier when he was running out of the building to his car or when walking to his office and placing the carrier on the desk. (00:02:15 - 00:03:30)
Continuity mistake: Nicolas Cage walks Buddy to the fence. He lights up a huge cigar which he holds in the left hand when he asks "Can you fix it?" and that appears in his right in the shot from the doorway. (00:09:10)
Factual error: Mohegan Sun casino is in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut does not have legalized sports betting and did not have it in 2012, when the film is set, therefore Julia would not have been able to place Howard's bet.
Continuity mistake: The cigarette the homeless man offered to Frank had a brown filter but was white when Frank had it in his mouth. (00:39:10)
Continuity mistake: After Wesley has intimidated the snot bully, he comes back home and finds the police. Sitting at the table, his mom holds his arm and says "Wesley, Mr. Chambers asked you a question." Mary Elizabeth Winstead has her right arm on the table, close to her body. Change of angle and she is holding the coffee mug instead. (00:45:10)