Continuity mistake: His pickup truck windows are down during the car chase but once the pickup submerges in water the windows are miraculously up, giving him a chance to escape. (01:21:30 - 01:29:00)
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)
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.
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 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)
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)
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)
Other mistake: Moose was narrating what he was writing in his second letter to Mr. Dunbar. There were 64 words, 12 more words after "P.S.", then "Love, Moose." A view of his finished letter showed it was way too short to have included everything he supposedly wrote, and the expected format did not match. (00:26:20 - 00:27:10)
Continuity mistake: When Charlie throws Scott over the balcony, he crashes into the chandelier and it partially tears away from the ceiling. Sparks ensue, but the light remains fully functional. The camera switches to Scott on the floor then back to Charlie where the chandelier can be seen worth all but one light out. There is no visible difference in the room lighting. Later, when Charlie is chasing Scott and Annie with the shotgun, Charlie screams "Lights out!" and shoots a fully functional chandelier.
Continuity mistake: Mario was chewing a mouthful, then lifted his drink to wash down the food, but when the camera shifted, he was back to chewing a mouthful. (00:01:59)
Continuity mistake: When Alicia puts flowers on her mother's tomb, she casts a shadow on the gravestone in side view, but none with the camera behind her back. (00:03:05)
Continuity mistake: In the graveyard, Frank is talking to Charlotte next to a tree. It cuts to a shot of Swilly for a brief moment, then back to Frank and Charlotte again, and suddenly he's standing much closer to her. (00:16:36)
Factual error: Attorney Aegis inappropriately rounded up/down a couple common statistics pertaining to the infamous Ford Pinto case, which resulted in a total that didn't add up: "it would cost the company $11 per Pinto to fix the problem. But with 12 million [should be 12.5] of 'em on the road, that would cost $137 million compared with $50 million [should be 49.5] to maintain the status quo. $137 million to fix a $50 million problem..." But 12 million x $11 = $132 million [not $137 million]. (00:24:38)
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)
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)
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.
Continuity mistake: The bartender pours two beers that have no foam on the top. When the beers are set on the table they have about one inch of foam. When the camera angle changes there is no foam. (01:18:45)
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)
Factual error: The film states that the story takes place in the year 1998. Everything in the opening scenes crams in every 90's cliché imaginable to reinforce the era. However, at 1m56s into the movie, the main character is driving on the freeway and it cuts to a shot showing that he's driving behind a marked police car. Specifically, a Police Interceptor model Ford Explorer that did not hit the market until 2012. (00:01:56)
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.