Queenpins 2021

As the FBI agents burst into Connie Kaminski’s (Kristen Bell) humble abode, her inner monologue interrupts the chaos, and she retreats to a nostalgic flashback, reliving a tumultuous period in her life almost a year prior. During this trying time, Connie finds herself stuck in a rut, unemployed and struggling to make ends meet with coupons as her lifeline. Her marriage to IRS agent Rick (Joel McHale) is strained, with his constant skepticism and lack of support for her couponing endeavors only adding to the tension. The couple’s efforts to start a family were met with heartbreak, and they’re still reeling from the financial blow of fertility treatment debts.

Connie’s closest confidant, Joanna “JoJo” Johnson (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), is dealing with her own set of woes after falling victim to identity theft. To make ends meet, JoJo takes to YouTube, sharing her struggles and creative solutions with an online audience. The local mailman, Earl (Dayo Okeniyi), has a clear admiration for JoJo from afar.

In the midst of Connie’s frustration with a stale box of Wheaties, she channels her discontent into a scathing complaint letter to General Mills. Miraculously, a coupon for a free box of cereal arrives in the mail, prompting Connie and JoJo to uncover the secrets behind these tantalizing offers. They soon discover that companies frequently employ this tactic, and their entrepreneurial spirits are piqued.

Inspiration strikes when they learn that these coveted coupons originate from a factory in Chihuahua, Mexico. A plan takes shape as they envision themselves embarking on a mission to collect these coupons and redistribute them to fellow moms and wives who could use a helping hand.

Meanwhile, in the quiet town of Carson City, Nevada, Ken Miller (Paul Walter Hauser) is dedicated to his job as an agent tasked with preventing losses for various businesses. His diligence is put to the test when he encounters a woman attempting to use a fake coupon at a local store – even though the cashier seems willing to let it slide. After this encounter, Ken returns to his lonely existence in Salt Lake City, where he yearns for human connection.

As Connie and JoJo embark on their journey to Mexico, they stumble upon Alejandro (Francisco Rodriguez) and Rosa (Ilia Paulino), a couple willing to lend a helping hand by taking the unused coupons off their hands. With these newfound treasures, the ladies launch their own website and small business, “Savvy Super Saver,” which quickly gains traction, allowing them to sell an abundance of coupons and reap substantial profits. However, this success doesn’t go unnoticed, as Ken becomes aware of the situation and begins to investigate, driven by a desire to rectify the losses his superiors are experiencing.

As their business grows, Connie and JoJo’s account is frozen due to suspicious activity, prompting them to seek out the expertise of Tempe Tina (Bebe Rexha), the hacker who stole JoJo’s identity. Under Tina’s guidance, they learn how to maintain a low profile and keep their finances secure, utilizing JoJo’s cosmetics brand, Back 2 Black, as a front for their coupon business.

Six months pass, and Connie and JoJo feel confident that their money is safe, but they soon realize that it’s not clean. To rectify this situation, they begin making lavish purchases, including sports cars, boats, planes, and guns. Meanwhile, Ken forms an alliance with Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn), a representative from the post office, as they work together to unravel the mystery surrounding the coupons.

Tempe Tina then reaches out to Connie and JoJo, cautioning them about their overspending and revealing that their money was always legitimate. Instead of using Rick’s sample for fertility treatments, JoJo decides to use an anonymous donor. As they attempt to clean their dirty money, they sell off their guns to a militia.

As Ken and Simon delve deeper into their mission, they forge a strong bond with each other, with Simon showing a deeper understanding of Ken’s unwavering dedication to his work. The duo embarks on an investigative journey, conducting interviews at various grocery stores where the two women have shopped. To their surprise, almost every individual they speak to recognizes Connie, not because of her charm or beauty, but due to her exasperatingly consistent use of coupons. This peculiarity proves to be a crucial thread in their investigation, as they discover that the super saver website’s slogan is identical to the phrase Connie uses when shopping. Furthermore, their inquiry into a group of postal workers yields a breakthrough, as these employees recall JoJo due to Earl’s incessant viewing of her videos. This revelation prompts Ken and Simon to stake out JoJo’s home, attempting to gather more evidence while simultaneously warning her about the impending danger.

As they continue to gather proof, Ken and Simon are ultimately able to secure the arrests of Connie and JoJo. The two women are subsequently imprisoned, with JoJo being released on bail and Connie facing a stern visit from Rick, who scolds her for her actions. Feeling abandoned by her husband’s lack of support, Connie declares that she intends to divorce him. This development leads to the ladies’ eventual trial, where JoJo is sentenced to ten days in prison plus a year of probation, while Connie receives an eleven-month sentence, with the possibility of serving eight months if she exhibits good behavior. Ken, however, believes they were let off too lightly, as the companies affected by their actions simply wanted the case resolved quietly to avoid negative publicity.

In the aftermath of their trial, JoJo begins a romantic relationship with Earl and relocates to Montenegro, where they can continue using their makeup business as a front while still operating their coupon scheme. Meanwhile, Connie’s time in prison is marked by her pregnancy and an attempt to find solace in the silver linings that come with serving her sentence.