Identity Thief 2013

As Sandy Patterson’s life begins to unravel, a mysterious phone call sets the tone for chaos. A woman claims someone has attempted to pilfer his identity, and she prompts him to provide his vital personal information - little does he know, his digital existence is about to be hijacked. Meanwhile, in a separate corner of the world, Diana (perhaps an unwitting pawn or a cunning mastermind) busies herself printing out credit cards with Sandy’s hard-earned cash, splurging on drinks and good company at a local watering hole.

Back in the real world, Sandy’s ordinary life takes an unexpected turn when his boss, Harold Cornish, requests he make some draconian cuts to employee bonuses - a decision that seems all too ironic considering the latter is about to receive a bonus of his own. As Sandy sets out to comply with his boss’s demands, he receives a perplexing phone call informing him of an upcoming appointment at a salon in Florida, a destination that holds no significance for him.

The plot thickens when Sandy’s coworker, Daniel Casey (now a would-be entrepreneur), approaches him about leaving their current firm and starting something new. The two conspirators discuss the pros and cons of abandoning ship, ultimately deciding to take the leap together. But just as things seem to be falling into place, Sandy’s credit card is declined at a gas station due to insufficient funds - a small inconvenience that quickly snowballs into a full-blown crisis.

As the reality of his situation sets in, Sandy learns that his credit card has been used to fund a lavish spending spree in Florida. The authorities are hot on the trail, and before long, he finds himself under arrest for skipping a court date in connection with an assault charge. Meanwhile, Diana continues her reckless spending spree, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

The fallout from Sandy’s identity theft reaches his workplace when Daniel (now his boss) reveals that the police are asking questions about drugs and his possible involvement. The situation escalates further as Detective Reilly and other officers arrive to inform Sandy that he’s been implicated in a drug deal involving Paolo, a man whose name is tied to one of the many fraudulent transactions made with his stolen identity.

With his world turned upside down, Sandy proposes an unconventional solution: he’ll take it upon himself to track down Diana, convince her to return to Denver and clear his name by speaking with Daniel. In a daring move, he volunteers to confront the thief and restore order to his life - a decision that will test his mettle and push him to the limits of human endurance.

As Trish (Sandy’s wife) becomes privy to the situation, she’s keenly aware that her husband is taking a significant risk, but Sandy reassures her he’ll see it through. His journey takes him to Florida, where he tracks down Diana to the very salon where she’d made an appointment earlier. A tense confrontation on the road ensues, culminating in her swift theft of his rental car. Undeterred, Sandy obtains Diana’s address from the abandoned vehicle and pays a visit to her house, only to find it overflowing with pilfered goods and credit cards. As they scuffle, Sandy attempts to restrain her with handcuffs, but before he can succeed, Marisol and Julian burst onto the scene, frantic about some compromised credit cards Paolo had received courtesy of Diana. The trio escapes as their commotion attracts unwanted attention.

Sandy then shares his plan for redemption with Diana, who agrees to join forces. Meanwhile, a relentless bounty hunter known as Skiptracer is dispatched to track down Diana, with a substantial reward hanging in the balance. As they travel, Diana reminds Sandy that airport security would be unlikely to tolerate two individuals bearing identical identification – “Sandy Bigelow Patterson” – making flying back an impractical option. They must instead navigate their way back to Denver on foot.

Their journey is soon interrupted by Skiptracer’s pursuit, resulting in the capture of Diana. A high-speed chase ensues, with Diana ultimately rendering Skiptracer unconscious and Sandy subsequently sending his van careening off the road. Upon arriving at the scene, they commandeer Skiptracer’s van, with him tied to the back – a move that proves short-lived as the vehicle overheats on the open road. With their transportation compromised, they’re left to walk, only to be threatened by a series of serpents in the woods. One particularly unwelcome visitor ends up in Sandy’s pants, which he promptly removes and discards. A subsequent snake bite sends him crashing to the ground, where Diana inadvertently knocks him unconscious while attempting to fend off the venomous attacker.

As Sandy’s gaze slowly focuses on his unfamiliar surroundings, he finds himself at a desolate bus station, clad in new pants with nothing but the faintest glimmer of memory to cling to. His frantic inquiry about how he arrived at this juncture is met with Diana’s straightforward account: she had borne him half a mile on her own two feet until a passing truck obligingly deposited them at their current location. The harsh reality, however, is that their next bus to Denver won’t arrive for an eternity - three long days of waiting ahead. Sandy’s meager funds are replenished by a chance discovery in his sock drawer, and a shrewd station employee hints at a potential opportunity to procure a cheap ride. As they stop to refuel, Diana probes Sandy about any lingering resentment he might harbor against a specific individual, and the name Harold Cornish slowly begins to form on his lips.

Seizing upon this vulnerability, the pair conspires to infiltrate an accounting firm, where they manipulate an unsuspecting processor into granting them access to restricted files. With Cornish’s identity now within their grasp, they swiftly create new credit cards and make their escape - only to be confronted by a tardy accounts processor who is left grasping at air.

Meanwhile, Skiptracer arrives at the bus station, his menacing tone brooking no dissent as he demands information about Diana’s whereabouts. His efforts are foiled by Marisol, whose watchful eyes have been tracking Sandy and Diana throughout their journey alongside her partner Julian. As the quartet converges on this unlikely intersection of fate, the stakes escalate with every passing moment.

Finally, Sandy and Diana arrive in St. Louis, where they take up temporary residence at a local hotel. Diana’s liberality with her funds is matched only by the transformative power of her new makeover, as she treats Sandy to an evening of fine dining. The tension that has been building between them erupts into a heated confrontation when Sandy presses Diana about her true identity - only for her to confess that she has never known it herself. Tears well up in her eyes as she recounts a childhood marked by neglect and indifference, leaving her with no sense of self.

Just as the emotional dam begins to break, the authorities arrive, responding to a tip from an observant accounting processor. As Sandy and Diana are led away in handcuffs, they stumble upon Marisol and Julian once more - this time, with a sinister twist: Paolo’s distant voice orders Marisol to eliminate Diana on sight.

The arrival of Skiptracer brings with it a sudden turn of events, as he dispatches the two would-be assassins with precision and then bundles them into the trunk of his car. As the darkness closes in around Sandy and Diana, their fragile bond is tested by the unforgiving forces that surround them.

As the police car careens down the highway, Diana seizes the opportunity to liberate herself from her restraints, shattering the rear windshield with a daring display of resourcefulness. Simultaneously, Skiptracer unleashes a high-speed chase, aiming for the fleeing vehicle. Sandy, who had managed to slip free from his own handcuffs, narrowly avoids being struck by the speeding car thanks to Diana’s quick reflexes, which send her stumbling back into harm’s way. The subsequent collision causes Skiptracer to lose control, and the authorities swiftly apprehend the perpetrator along with Marisol and Julian.

As the dust settles, Diana and Sandy make a hasty retreat, eventually finding themselves at their doorstep, where they’re warmly received by Trish and their daughters. Diana’s reconciliation with Sandy’s family is marked by a heartwarming dinner, signaling a newfound sense of unity and understanding.

The following morning, Sandy awakens to find that Diana has vanished, leaving behind a poignant apology note. Undeterred, he reports to work, prepared to abandon his post in solidarity with his partner. However, Daniel’s revelation shatters the illusion: Diana is meeting with Detective Reilly at the station, and she’s been taken into custody. As Sandy confronts her, Diana confesses that she knew he wouldn’t betray her trust, but it was essential for her to take responsibility for her actions.

One year later, Sandy’s family celebrates another milestone birthday, this time joined by their newest addition. They pay a visit to Diana in prison, where she’s thriving amidst a rigorous academic schedule. As Trish escorts the girls outside, Sandy presents Diana with a long-overdue gift: her birth certificate, which reveals that her true name is Dawn Budgie – a moniker she finds utterly distasteful. The two share a hearty laugh before sharing an emotional reunion.

However, their tender moment is disrupted by a taunting guard, who prompts Diana to lash out in self-defense. In the ensuing scuffle, another correctional officer deploys her taser, sending Diana tumbling to the ground. Yet, she quickly recovers and rises to reclaim her composure, eventually returning to her cell with an unyielding determination.