Racer and the Jailbird 2018

In the high-stakes world of Brussels' underworld, luxury car dealer Gigi (Matthias Schoenaerts) navigates the fine line between his criminal past and a chance at redemption through love. When he falls for enigmatic race car driver Bibi (Adèle Exarchopoulos), their passionate romance is threatened by a ruthless gang and law enforcement closing in on their illicit activities.

In the high-stakes world of Brussels' underworld, luxury car dealer Gigi (Matthias Schoenaerts) navigates the fine line between his criminal past and a chance at redemption through love. When he falls for enigmatic race car driver Bibi (Adèle Exarchopoulos), their passionate romance is threatened by a ruthless gang and law enforcement closing in on their illicit activities.

Does Racer and the Jailbird have end credit scenes?

No!

Racer and the Jailbird does not have end credit scenes.

Ratings


Metacritic

50

Metascore

5.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

6.3 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

59

%

User Score

Movie Quiz


Racer and the Jailbird Quiz: Test your knowledge about the thrilling love story and heist in 'Racer and the Jailbird.'

What profession does Gigi pretend to have when he meets Bibi?

Plot Summary

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In a poignant flashback, Gigi as a young boy finds himself in a desperate situation, running from the police while facing the terrifying threat of his own father unleashing attack dogs on him.

As fate would have it, Gigi’s path crosses with Bibi after a thrilling day at a motor racing event. Wanting to impress her, he fabricates a story about being involved in the import and export of cars, leading to their first date. However, as they grow closer, tales from Gigi’s past—filled with wild exploits and his time in juvenile detention—begin to cast a shadow on their blossoming romance. In a moment of intimacy, Bibi presses Gigi to unveil his biggest secret. Playfully, Gigi confesses that he robs banks, igniting a daydream about escaping life’s constraints together, with Bibi suggesting a romantic getaway to Buenos Aires.

The thrill escalates when Gigi and his friends successfully rob a banker they encountered during one of Bibi’s racing group parties. Despite Gigi’s increasing affection for Bibi, which makes him hesitant to continue their criminal activities, external pressures loom large. Bibi’s father, suspicious of Gigi’s intentions, confronts him and counsels that a real man should be truthful to Bibi. Filled with determination, Gigi expresses his desire to marry Bibi, although she gradually senses that he is hiding something from her. Nevertheless, they share a mutual confession of love that ties them closer than ever.

The gang’s ambitions push them towards a more complex heist. With Gigi serving as the getaway driver, he’s crucial to their success. The plan involves dropping a shipping container from a bridge to trap a money transport van, along with its police escort. They manage to escape with a large sum of money, but Gigi is wracked with anxiety about the aftermath. To make matters worse, the money is laced with explosives, leading to a severe injury among the gang members. Trying to do the right thing, Gigi leaves their hideout to summon medical aid, but not before contacting Bibi. She warns him of a police officer’s death during the heist and insists he should not resist capture. Ultimately, the gang is apprehended, and they are all sentenced to prison.

Despite the challenges, Bibi remains unwavering in her love for Gigi. During their brief prison meetings, their desire to have a child grows stronger, prompting them to seek fertility treatments. Tragically, during one of Gigi’s temporary leaves from prison, he is bitten by a dog. In a moment of panic, he retaliates and, as a result, finds himself entwined with the law once again. Bibi, ever the grounding force, manages to hide him at first, but when authorities ramp up their search, she persuades him to surrender.

In stark contrast to their dreams of family, medical examinations reveal that Bibi is battling cancer, with growth in her ovaries. Overcome with desperation, she seeks assistance from gangsters to orchestrate Gigi’s escape from prison. Misunderstanding her plight as mere symptoms of morning sickness, they initially refuse her help. Eventually, their boss visits, horrified by Bibi’s frail state brought on by chemotherapy. Bibi confides her reality of needing Gigi out of prison for her sake. Touched by her plight, the boss agrees to help, taking her Porsche as collateral. Before he departs, Bibi collapses and is rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Gigi remains unaware of her attempts to free him and is troubled by his own escape endeavors. Gigi is granted a temporary leave from prison under strict surveillance to visit Bibi in the hospital, but his heart sinks when he learns she has slipped into a coma, ultimately passing away.

As whispers of a prison break reach Gigi, shrouded in pain and uncertainty, he learns that he has the chance to flee to Buenos Aires. To verify the authenticity of this escape, the inmates mention the words “No flowers,” evoking memories of Bibi’s first date request. In a horrific twist, Gigi is violently attacked, leading to a transfer to a different prison for protection. But during transport, a plan unfolds, affording him a narrow window to escape. Heartbroken over Bibi’s death, Gigi refuses to leave for Buenos Aires, stating his only desire is to be with her. The gangsters, motivated by financial gain, cannot tolerate this sentiment; they confine him in a kennel filled with aggressive dogs. In an act of self-defense, Gigi retaliates and kills his captors.

Determined to honor Bibi’s memory, Gigi finds her beloved Porsche and retraces her steps. As he drives, voiceovers reveal their former conversation, where Bibi’s whimsical admission of being immortal rings in his ears. Gigi ultimately arrives at a cemetery, leaving the car running as he rushes in to be reunited with the love of his life.

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