After the Sunset 2004

As the sun dips into the crystal-clear waters of Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Max Burdett (Pierce Brosnan) and his stunning partner-in-crime, Lola Cirillo (Salma Hayek), revel in their newfound domestic bliss. The master thieves have hung up their guns, literally, having successfully pilfered two of the three fabled Napoleon diamonds from the grasp of FBI Agent Stanley P Lloyd (Woody Harrelson). The duo’s financial future is secure, their criminal careers a distant memory. However, their peaceful existence is short-lived as Agent Lloyd refuses to accept their newfound innocence.

Six months pass, and Lloyd reappears, breaching Max’s tranquil lifestyle by breaking into his home in search of evidence. He leaves with the bullet that had left Max gasping for air during their previous encounter. The detective’s suspicions have not dissipated; he believes Max is hiding in plain sight on Paradise Island, mere yards from a luxurious cruise ship displaying the third and final Napoleon diamond.

As Lola begins to suspect her partner might be planning one last heist, Max reassures her that they are truly done with their life of crime. However, when she discovers the missing bullet, her concerns escalate. She dispatches two skilled masseuses to retrieve the stolen evidence, which they successfully do. With the truth revealed, Lola implores Max to dispose of the incriminating bullet.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Lola, Max unwittingly turns the tables by befriending the frustrated detective Lloyd. He invites Lloyd to experience the island’s laid-back charm, even treating him to the luxurious bridge suite for as long as he stays. The normally stoic Agent Lloyd adapts surprisingly well to the Caribbean lifestyle. Despite his protests of innocence, Max’s curiosity gets the better of him, and he begins casing the ship.

As Lloyd suspects that Max might be planning one last job, so too does Henri Moore (Don Cheadle), a local thug whose bodyguard coerces Max into taking him to meet his boss. Moore attempts to persuade Max to steal the diamond on behalf of his humanitarian organization, which would further his business interests.

As Burdett’s insidious plans to pilfer the precious Napoleon diamond continue to unfold, he concocts a ruse, feeding Moore a fabricated scheme for stealing the gemstone, which eerily mirrors an earlier conversation with Stan. Meanwhile, Stan has formed an unlikely alliance with local police constable Sophie (Naomie Harris), who is hot on Burdett’s trail. As they track him to Junkanoo, a vibrant cultural celebration, Max loses his quarry, warning him to maintain a safe distance as he dodges a tuba player’s swinging instrument at Max’s behest. This minor setback triggers a chain reaction of events that leads to the breakdown of Lola’s trust in her partner, Max. Her discovery of his deceitful vow-writing and subsequent rejection forces Max to seek refuge with Stan, leading to a heart-to-heart conversation about their personal struggles.

The following morning, Sophie and the authorities uncover the duo’s whereabouts, revealing that Stan’s FBI license has been suspended. As tensions simmer, Max and Stan hatch a plan to win back Lola and Sophie, involving a daring scuba diving expedition (a detail Lloyd remained unaware of). Burdett, meanwhile, orchestrates a diversionary tactic, allowing his accomplice to swap places with him. Lola later uncovers the truth, rendering her temporarily powerless to intervene as she watches Stan’s air supply dwindle. In the midst of this chaos, Henri’s man is apprehended, and Max seizes the opportunity to steal the Napoleon diamond.

With the gemstone in hand, Max returns just in time to save Stan from a fatal outcome. On land, Sophie receives the distressing news that the diamond has been stolen, prompting her to launch a search for Max, but ultimately coming up empty-handed. As Stan and Sophie depart in disgust, Lola prepares to abandon Max, only to be intercepted by Moore, who threatens to eliminate her unless Max reveals the diamond’s whereabouts. Fortunately, Stan intervenes, dispatching Moore with two well-placed bullets. Undeterred, Lola exits the scene, leaving Max to his solitude.

As the night wears on, Max comes to a realization: he wants Lola back in his life. He catches up to her just as she’s about to depart, vowing that she is his sole treasure from then on. In a dramatic turnaround, Max proposes to Lola with “the first diamond I ever bought,” securing her acceptance on the condition that she procure the receipt.

As the sun rises on a new day, Max’s euphoria from the previous evening’s revelry begins to dissipate, only to be replaced by a dose of harsh reality. His tranquility is shattered when Stan appears on the scene, bearing an unsettling tale that threatens to upend Max’s newfound sense of contentment. It transpires that Stan was stone-cold sober the night he and Burdett shared a cramped quarters, a revelation that serves as a scathing indictment of Max’s misplaced trust. With his pride wounded and his sense of accomplishment diminished, Max is forced to confront the uncomfortable truth: his nemesis has emerged victorious in their ongoing game of cat and mouse. As he grapples with this newfound humility, Max finds solace in the simple pleasures of life, vowing to cherish every sunset spent alongside Lola, his love and partner in crime. However, it’s clear that old habits die hard, and when Stan attempts to leave the scene, Max seizes the opportunity to exact a measure of revenge, remotely controlling his car with a mischievous grin, a promise to Lola that this will be his last act of mischief.