Baywatch

The curtain rises on Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson), stalwart sentinel of Emerald Bay's sun-kissed shores, as he arrives at the lifeguard station, ready to tackle another day of duty. The tranquility is shattered when a parasailing enthusiast careens out of control, slamming into a rock and sending Mitch into high gear. With lightning-quick reflexes, our hero plunges into the ocean, swimming against time to rescue the hapless victim.

As the adrenaline rush subsides, Mitch takes his morning jog around the Bay, exchanging good-natured banter with Sergeant Ellerbee (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a gruff but lovable enforcer of the law. Meanwhile, Mitch's eagle eye spots a young boy making off with a pouch of Flaca, a potent drug that threatens to sully the pristine beaches of Emerald Bay. With his trademark instinct, Mitch seizes the contraband and begins to unravel its significance.

In the midst of this high-stakes drama, Mitch's fellow lifeguards, Stephanie Holden (Ilfenesh Hadera), the epitome of dedication and skill, and CJ Parker (Kelly Rohrbach), a bright spark with a crush on aspiring lifeguard Ronnie Greenbaum (Jon Bass), navigate their own personal struggles. Ronnie, meanwhile, is too tongue-tied to make an impression on CJ, despite his best efforts.

As the morning wears on, Matt Brody (Zac Efron) arrives at the Bay on his gleaming motorcycle, looking to make a splash with the locals. His initial overtures towards Summer Quinn (Alexandra Daddario) fall flat, but he soon catches up with Mitch and Steph, eager to showcase his credentials as a two-time gold medal winner. However, his boasts are met with skepticism by these seasoned lifeguards, who demand more than just medals from their colleagues.

In a separate thread, Victoria Leeds (Priyanka Chopra), the enigmatic new owner of the Huntley Club, is negotiating a real estate deal with Councilman Rodriguez (Oscar Nunez). Her business acumen is matched only by her cunning, as she wields her influence like a master puppeteer. As these disparate storylines begin to intertwine, the stage is set for a thrilling adventure that will test the mettle of Mitch and his team.

As Ronnie and Dave indulge in a snack of baby carrots on the beach, a chance encounter with CJ sparks a series of mortifying events. The sudden onset of choking prompts CJ to spring into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver with expert ease. Ronnie's relief is short-lived, however, as he becomes acutely aware of an unexpected bodily response - an erection that refuses to subside. In a desperate bid to maintain his dignity, Ronnie leaps onto a nearby wooden lawn chair, only to find himself stuck fast in a precarious predicament. As Mitch arrives on the scene, the situation rapidly escalates, with Ronnie's "beef and biscuits" stuck between the chair's slats and a growing audience of bemused beachgoers capturing the spectacle on camera.

As chaos ensues, Mitch rounds up his latest crop of hopeful lifeguards, tasking them with navigating an obstacle course designed to test their mettle. Summer proves herself a natural, effortlessly surmounting each challenge, while Ronnie struggles to keep pace due to his slightly heavier build. Undeterred, he refuses to throw in the towel, earning Mitch's respect and admiration by the end of the day. With Summer, Ronnie, and Brody (who elects to sit out the test) named as Mitch's new trainees, the stage is set for a summer of growth, camaraderie, and high-stakes heroics.

Meanwhile, Mitch subjects Brody to his own specialized training regimen, which involves a series of absurd tasks - lifting truck tires and hauling refrigerators like weights - intended to push the young lifeguard to his limits. Just as things seem to be falling into place, disaster strikes on the pier, where two children fall into the water and their frantic mother leaps in after them. Mitch, Steph, and CJ spring into action, racing against time to rescue the youngsters and restore order to the chaos. Brody, eager to prove himself a hero, takes a tumble of his own, ending up looking foolish in the process.

As Mitch seeks guidance from Captain Thorpe (Rob Huebel), he learns that Brody's skills in the water are genuine but also tainted by a checkered past. It transpires that Brody's once-promising swimming career was derailed by a night of reckless partying, which culminated in a humiliating incident involving a pool and a puked-up cocktail. Now, as part of a community service deal and a clever ruse to ensure the Bay's funding is secured, Mitch finds himself stuck with Brody whether he likes it or not - a situation that promises to be both trying and illuminating for all parties involved.

As the nocturnal hours enveloped the coastal landscape, Summer and CJ stumbled upon Brody, slumbering beneath the pier's wooden beams. With a mixture of compassion and deception, CJ guided him towards an unknown destination, convincing Brody that he was bound for Steph's abode. In reality, Mitch had graciously offered his hospitality, allowing Brody to rest beside a mesmerizing fish tank, where a miniature figurine of Mitch seemed to vigilantly monitor his every move.

The next morning, Brody embarked on a training regimen under Mitch's watchful eye, their exercises unfolding against the sun-kissed backdrop of the beach. A close call with a poisonous sea urchin served as a poignant reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface, thanks to Mitch's keen instincts and timely intervention.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez found himself entangled in a web of deceit and intimidation, courtesy of Leeds' goons, Frankie (Amin Joseph) and Leon (Jack Kesy). As tensions mounted, Rodriguez attempted to outmaneuver his tormentors by revealing Leeds' illicit dealings, only to be met with a chilling threat: she would not hesitate to silence him.

As the team's training continued, Leeds arrived on the scene, her presence marked by an air of sophistication and an invitation for the entire group to attend an open house at the opulent Huntley estate. Little did they know that this seemingly innocuous gathering would soon give way to a series of events that would shatter their complacency.

The team's tranquility was short-lived, as Steph received a distress call regarding a burning yacht on the beach. Without hesitation, the entire group, including the novice trainees, sprang into action. Mitch leapt onto the inferno-ravaged vessel, rescuing three women in the process. In the chaos that ensued, Brody dived beneath the waves to aid the rescue effort, only to find himself entangled in the flames. Summer and Steph sprang into action, with Summer ultimately pulling Brody to safety.

As they returned to solid ground, the team discovered Rodriguez's lifeless body, his murder a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in their midst. Ellerbee arrived on the scene, dismissing Mitch's attempts to discuss the case, insisting that it was a matter for the authorities to handle.

In the shadows, Dave worked tirelessly as Leeds' tech expert, secretly manipulating data and attempting to extort concessions from his boss. His actions, however, only served to further entangle him in her web of deceit.

The team reconvened over lunch, their somber mood punctuated by the revelation that a second body had surfaced, along with evidence of Flaca's toxic influence on the three women they had rescued. It was then that they collectively decided to attend Leeds' open house, driven by a burning desire to uncover more information about her true nature and motivations.

As the team delves deeper undercover at the open house, Brody is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on Leeds, but his attention is diverted by a thirst for intoxication rather than intel. Meanwhile, Ronnie takes center stage, performing a bizarre dance that captivates CJ and provides the perfect distraction for the others to get to work. Mitch's frustration with Brody's lack of progress boils over when he confronts him about his failure, leading to a heated exchange and a humiliating incident in which Brody takes an involuntary plunge into the pool.

The aftermath of this debacle sees Frankie and Leon take the deceased Dave's body on a macabre outing, dumping it into the sea with a gruesome garnish of meat chunks to serve as shark bait. The next morning, Mitch delivers a scathing critique of Brody's teamwork skills, highlighting his selfish tendencies that render him ineffective when working alongside others.

In an attempt to redeem himself, Brody reveals to Mitch and Summer that he noticed Rodriguez sporting the same watch worn by Leeds' goons. This newfound information prompts the trio to don hospital garb and infiltrate the morgue, where they uncover Rodriguez's corpse and autopsy files. A crucial discovery is made: there was no smoke in his lungs, indicating he died before the boat fire. Mitch tasks Brody with searching Rodriguez's remains for any clues, but this opportunity becomes an awkward exercise in gazing at a deceased individual's genital area.

Summer's timely arrival forces the trio to hide in the drawers, with Brody inadvertently taking up residence on top of a deceased elderly woman's corpse. The situation is further complicated when Frankie and Leon arrive, prompting Brody to jump out and accidentally cover his face with fat from the cadaver below. In a desperate attempt to sanitize his mouth, he ends up drenching himself in hand sanitizer.

The team's already precarious situation takes a turn for the worse when Summer's phone rings, causing them to scatter as Leon grabs the device and makes a hasty exit with Frankie.

As Leon carelessly tosses Summer's phone to Frankie, Mitch springs into action, hot on the heels of Frankie as he attempts to infiltrate a family's home. Meanwhile, Brody and Summer try to corral Leon, but their efforts are thwarted by his reckless abandon. The chase culminates in a high-stakes showdown between Mitch and Frankie, with the latter ultimately meeting his match when Mitch cleverly uses a diaper bin as a makeshift helmet, sending Frankie tumbling out of the window and into the pool.

Undeterred by their lack of progress, Mitch, Brody, and Summer meet with Ellerbee, who is furious at their continued interference in the case. Thorpe, ever the authority figure, chimes in, warning Mitch that his investigation is putting him at risk of being fired. Frankie, meanwhile, manages to wriggle free, complaining to the authorities about Mitch's actions.

Mitch, however, remains undaunted, observing the Huntley family as they obtain their seafood from an outside supplier - a move he suspects is mere cover for their nefarious activities on the beach. He and Brody decide to go undercover, sneaking into the Huntley's kitchen where they stumble upon Leeds' men engaged in shady dealings.

Mitch promptly reports his findings to Ellerbee, but the latter is too preoccupied with the grisly discovery of Dave's body being partially devoured by sharks to take immediate action. Thorpe, meanwhile, is listening in on Mitch's call, and subsequently summons him to his office to deliver the news: he's been fired.

Thorpe appoints Brody as the new lieutenant, but Mitch objects, insisting that Stephanie would be a better fit for the role due to her intimate knowledge of the beach. Thorpe dismisses Mitch's concerns, and Brody, despite reservations, ultimately accepts the promotion - though not without the support of his colleagues.

As Brody settles into his new role, he finds himself facing off against a cunning thief on the beach, who's using a cooler with an unusual mechanism to pilfer valuables. Brody tackles the thief and retrieves the stolen goods, including a bag containing Flaca. He then enlists Steph and CJ's help in returning everyone's property.

In a move that's equal parts clever and underhanded, Brody pays Ellerbee a visit, bearing a chocolate smoothie as a peace offering - and using the opportunity to swipe a file from his desk without being detected.

As Mitch navigates the challenges of his new role at a phone store, he finds himself increasingly disconnected from his former teammates. That is, until the arrival of his old mentor, none other than the original Mitch (David Hasselhoff), who imparts valuable wisdom and encouragement to keep pushing forward, not just for himself but also for those around him.

Meanwhile, Brody shares a shocking discovery with Summer: the gruesome corpse of Dave, which prompts Ronnie's instant recognition. It turns out that Dave had been working with Leeds, a revelation that sets off a chain reaction as Ronnie reveals his own hacking skills, allowing them to infiltrate Leeds' servers and uncover her sinister plan. Aided by their newfound knowledge, the team converges to thwart Leeds' scheme to privatize the beach, thereby eliminating competition and spreading drugs undetected.

As tensions escalate, the group hatches a daring plan to infiltrate Leeds' lavish yacht during a high-stakes party. CJ, Ronnie, and Steph stumble upon Murray Chen (Clem Cheung), a real estate expert who has been kidnapped as part of Leeds' nefarious plot. Simultaneously, Brody takes an unexpected plunge into the water, only to resurface with a critical piece of information: Leeds has been secretly smuggling drugs in the hull of her vessel.

In a stunning twist, Brody is knocked unconscious by Frankie and taken away on another boat, where he's locked in a cage. As Leeds prepares to deliver the final blow, she reveals a shocking truth: she had bribed Thorpe to set Mitch up for failure, thereby getting him off her back once and for all. Just as all hope seems lost, Ronnie and CJ spot the cage being lowered into the water. In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Brody is suddenly pulled out of the cage - only to find himself face-to-face with Summer... or rather, Mitch, who has been masquerading as his friend in a move that leaves Brody both stunned and disgusted.

As Mitch and his team prepare to launch their daring rescue mission from the air, Ronnie's nerves are calmed by CJ's reassuring kiss. With Mitch's guidance, Ronnie finds the courage to work the fireworks display, creating a dazzling distraction that diverts the helicopter pilot's attention. Meanwhile, Mitch and Brody engage in a fierce battle against Frankie and Leon, who refuse to back down. The chaos culminates with Leeds taking aim at her targets, only to be thwarted by Mitch's quick thinking and Ronnie's clever fireworks expertise.

In the heat of the moment, Mitch finds himself shot in the shoulder but refuses to give up. Using a sea urchin to boost his adrenaline, he gets back on his feet just as Leeds is forced to retreat with an empty gun. Ronnie and CJ stumble upon a crucial red button, which they activate, unleashing a barrage of fireworks that ultimately obliterates Leeds' helicopter.

As the dust settles, Mitch tenders to his wound and Ellerbee arrives to apologize for her earlier skepticism. Thorpe's attempt at taunting Mitch is short-lived, however, as Brody delivers a crushing punch that sends him crashing to the ground. The authorities arrive to take custody of Frankie and Thorpe, while Ronnie and CJ share a romantic moment.

Back on solid ground, Mitch officially inducts his trainees into their new roles as lifeguards, introducing them to their fearless leader, Casey Jean (Pamela Anderson), who enters the scene with a sizzling slow-motion strut. As the credits roll, the team comes together for a rousing slow-mo run along the beach, only for Brody to take an embarrassing tumble into the sand.

Finally, as the bloopers montage unfolds, Mitch's alter ego, Hasselhoff-Mitch, turns to Rock-Mitch and makes a playful pitch for his participation in the sequel.

As Mitch and his team delve into the world of corrupt dealings surrounding Leeds and her cohorts, they defy the orders of Sgt. Ellerbee, who insists they steer clear of the situation. Despite a few initial missteps, their captain is forced to take drastic measures when he loses faith in Mitch's leadership abilities, opting instead to promote Brody as the new commander of the team.

Brody and his newly appointed teammates soon uncover Leeds' nefarious plan to privatize the beach, thereby ensuring her continued grip on power without interference. The duo decides to infiltrate a high-profile party hosted by Leeds, where they stumble upon her stash of illicit substances. However, their covert operation is quickly foiled when Leeds and her henchmen apprehend Brody, leaving Mitch with no choice but to spring into action to rescue his teammate.

Mitch's daring rescue mission culminates in the explosive demise of Leeds at the hands of a well-placed Roman candle. In the aftermath, Sgt. Ellerbee expresses regret for underestimating Mitch's abilities and promptly arrests their captain after it becomes clear that he had been complicit in Leeds' scheme to frame Mitch and secure his own downfall.

As the dust settles, Brody, Summer, and Ronnie earn official membership on the Bay's lifeguard team, while Mitch develops a newfound respect for his former teammate-turned-leader.