Bad Country

In the sweltering summer of 1983, South Louisiana's Dixie region was a hotbed of criminal activity, where corruption and deceit reigned supreme. Amidst this toxic landscape, undercover cop Bud Carter (Willem Dafoe) was determined to crack down on the smuggling and nefarious dealings that had become a staple of his community. His team had just made a significant bust, taking down a large-scale emerald and diamond trafficking ring led by Tommy Weiland (Christopher Denham), but Bud's gut told him that this was only the tip of the iceberg.

As he delved deeper into the case, Bud discovered that the gang was merely a pawn in a larger game, working for none other than notorious contract killer Jesse Weiland (Matt Dillon). The revelation came as Jesse's pregnant wife Lynn (Amy Smart) went into labor, adding an element of humanity to the chaos. Bud promptly put Tommy and Jesse behind bars, only to uncover a web of deceit that implicated Jesse in dozens of unsolved murders throughout the region.

Seeking assistance from the FBI, Bud was paired with rookie agent Martin Fitch (Chris Marquette), who proved to be a valuable ally in his quest for justice. Meanwhile, Lynn found herself struggling to make ends meet as her husband's criminal empire began to crumble, while Tommy's addiction took a deadly turn inside prison walls.

Bud made a calculated move, arranging for Jesse's release on bail through the dubious means of Lutin's (Tom Berenger) lawyer Morris (Kevin Chapman). In exchange for his freedom, Jesse agreed to work with Bud, helping him recover the bodies of those who had fallen victim to his contract killing days. This uneasy alliance led Jesse to cross paths with Lutin, who scolded him for his recent transgressions before extracting a tribute in the form of precious gems.

As Jessie's world began to unravel, he realized that Lutin was ultimately responsible for Tommy's tragic demise in prison. Seeking redemption and a chance to take down the organized crime syndicate that had consumed Louisiana, Jessie offered to work with Bud, US Attorney General Nokes (Bill Duke), and the FBI brass, including Martin. His revelations included the existence of a hit list, with Nokes being the unfortunate second target on the list.

Nokes agreed to sponsor the operation, and Jessie made the difficult decision to place his family, including Lynn and their son, under witness protection. As the stakes grew higher, Bud and Jesse found themselves locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with the fate of Louisiana hanging precariously in the balance.

As Jessie covertly supplies intel to Bud and Martin, allowing them to intercept a shipment of arms intended for Lutin's organization, he unwittingly sets off a chain reaction that draws the FBI into the fray. The agency learns that Lutin's group is being funded by Nokes, with Bud serving as the local point man, and decides to take action. However, Catfish's sudden appearance on the scene, opening fire on the Libyans during the exchange, forces everyone to scatter in a desperate bid for escape. Despite their efforts, the FBI is unable to prevent Lutin's group from making off with the arms.

Lutin, perplexed by the FBI's involvement, turns to a Washington-based lobby firm to investigate the matter. Their findings confirm that Nokes is backing the operation and that Bud is playing a key role on the ground. In response, Lutin instructs Jessie to eliminate Bud, but Jessie instead chooses to warn his target about the impending threat. Unfortunately, both men are ambushed by Buzz and Catfish, leaving Bud and Jessie to make their escape, albeit at great personal cost - Jessie sustains serious injuries, including the loss of two fingers.

Meanwhile, Lutin's operatives manage to track down and eliminate Lynn and her son. With his priorities adjusted, Jessie makes a daring escape from the hospital, while Nokes shifts the blame for the chaos onto Martin. Bud, however, takes a more measured approach, urging Martin to keep the FBI at bay while he works to rebuild their case against Lutin.

As tensions escalate, Jessie exacts revenge on Buzz and subjecting Catfish to a brutal interrogation before finally silencing him. Bud, meanwhile, uses his own unique brand of persuasion to extract information from Morris, ultimately leading him to Lutin's location. The stage is set for a climactic showdown at a hotel in New Orleans, where Bud and his colleagues lie in wait based on Morris's intel. When Lutin arrives, Jessie follows suit, and the two men launch a joint attack that allows them to close in on their target. Though Lutin ultimately proves too formidable in hand-to-hand combat, Bud is able to overcome him and effect an arrest.

In the aftermath, Nokes rewards Bud with a promotion, marking the end of one chapter in this complex and violent saga.