By the Gun 2014

As the Boston crime scene shifts into high gear, Nick Tortano (character), a loyal associate of Sal Vitaglia’s (character), finds himself stuck in limbo, yearning to earn his stripes as a made man but struggling to prove himself worthy of that first contract killing. The once-powerful Sal is now forced to reorganize his operation and promote new talent, recognizing Nick’s potential as a valuable soldier in the process. However, before he can move up the ranks, Nick must demonstrate a greater sense of loyalty and respect for the family. To this end, Sal tasks him with performing an act of contrition, requiring Nick to swallow his pride and apologize to Tony Matazano (character), a fellow mobster whose ire he has unwittingly provoked.

Nick reluctantly takes on the task, but not before sharing his frustration with his friend George, a rough-around-the-edges Irish thug who remains unaffiliated with the mafia. George’s ridicule stings, but Nick presses on, delivering the apology and earning Tony’s acceptance, if not exactly his respect. The tension between them is palpable, but it’s a small price to pay for Nick’s newfound standing within the organization.

As Nick navigates this treacherous landscape, he finds himself drawn to Ali, Tony’s estranged daughter, whom he had previously offended with his cousin’s thoughtless remark. Despite her initial rejection of his overtures, Nick and Ali begin to develop a romantic connection, their shared unease about Tony’s shady dealings serving as the catalyst for their budding relationship.

Meanwhile, Nick and George embark on a lucrative heist targeting a local drug dealer who had befriended George. In the aftermath, Nick tries to share some of the spoils with his brother, Vito, but their father, Vincent, is having none of it, deeming the money tainted by its association with the criminal underworld.

As Nick’s feelings for Ali continue to grow, he finds himself torn between his loyalty to Sal and his desire to distance himself from the mafia’s morally dubious activities. It’s a precarious balancing act that ultimately leads him to botch his first contract killing, prompting George to step in and take matters into his own hands.

As the newly minted made man, Nick (actor name) begins to realize the true extent of his newfound power and autonomy in town. No longer bound by the same rules of respect and deference, he takes it upon himself to collect on outstanding debts from local business owners, starting with a visit to Tony’s doorstep. Although initially resistant, Tony begrudgingly agrees to Nick’s demands for a cut of his rumored Eastern European prostitution ring, sparking a chain reaction of events that will ultimately lead to chaos and devastation.

Meanwhile, Tony grows increasingly frustrated with the incompetence of his underlings, who have allowed an anonymous gambler to rack up a staggering $25,000 debt without bothering to uncover the man’s personal details. Taking matters into his own hands, Tony personally takes charge of the collection process, issuing a chilling threat to the gambler over the phone: kill him or face the consequences.

As events unfold, Joe, Tony’s trusted second-in-command, becomes increasingly suspicious of George and Nick’s sudden rise to power. With Sal’s tacit approval, Joe launches an investigation into Nick’s family, ultimately leading to the tragic murder of Vincent at his own hands. Consumed by grief and rage, Nick attempts to confront Sal, only to be thwarted by Jerry, who warns him that Sal is unlikely to see him and advises him to leave town immediately.

Instead, Nick turns to Ali for solace, apologizing profusely for the senseless murder of her father. But before he can truly process his emotions, Jerry strikes down Ali on orders from Sal, prompting Nick to exact a brutal revenge on his former friend-turned-enemy. George, meanwhile, urges Nick and him to join forces and wipe out the entire crime family together, but Nick rebukes him, opting instead to forge his own path of destruction.

As the stakes grow higher and the body count continues to rise, Nick finds himself consumed by a burning desire for vengeance against Sal, the man he holds responsible for the tragic loss of his father, girlfriend, and best friend. And so, in a final, desperate bid for justice, Nick confronts Sal, only to be met with a cold, calculating response: “You’ve thrown away a promising career in the Mafia over connections that should mean nothing to you.” With those words ringing in his ears, Sal delivers a fatal blow, ending Nick’s life and leaving him to wonder if he was ever truly part of the organization.

In the aftermath of Nick’s demise, Vito arrives on the scene, exacting a bloody revenge on Sal before making off into the night. As the dust settles, the film concludes with a haunting sense of closure and finality, leaving audiences to ponder the devastating consequences of Nick’s ill-fated quest for power and retribution.