Shadowboxer 2006

In a gritty world filled with contract killers and unexpected bonds, Mikey and his stepmother, Rose, form an unstoppable team. Despite battling Rose’s serious cancer, they continue their deadly profession, with her medical expertise proving to be a crucial advantage during their missions. One such task leads them to the opulent mansion of crime lord Clayton, who, suspicious of his pregnant wife, Vicki, hires Mikey and Rose to eliminate her. Upon entering the mansion, Rose rushes to Vicki’s bedroom, where she discovers Vicki on the phone with her best friend, Neisha. However, just as she prepares to fulfill her assignment, Vicki’s water breaks, marking the start of an unexpected labor.

In a surprising turn, Rose’s maternal instincts emerge, and her skills come to the forefront as she aids in the delivery of a healthy baby boy, whom they name Anthony. After leaving the mansion with the newly united family, Mikey and Rose take Vicki and her newborn to a nearby motel. It is only upon Rose’s request for Dr. Don, Clayton’s private physician, to assess Vicki’s condition that the depth of her medical knowledge is revealed.

As Vicki recuperates and Anthony grows, new dangers emerge. Clayton’s paranoia, particularly concerning what Neisha might know, leads him to hire Mikey to eliminate her. Yet, Rose envisions a different future for the young family, insisting they provide refuge for Vicki and Anthony, despite Mikey’s apprehensions.

Their journey stretches from the bustling city to the serene towns of upstate Pennsylvania, where Mikey continues to navigate the life of a solitary assassin, while Rose’s health sadly declines. In a heart-wrenching moment, she makes an anguishing choice to save Mikey from her painful battle with cancer, charging him with the protection of Vicki and Anthony—a commitment he embraces fully. The trio manages to evade detection for seven years, growing closer as they adapt to their lives hidden away.

Meanwhile, complications arise when Precious, Dr. Don’s conflicted nurse-lover, uncovers her partner’s betrayal, leading her down a dark path of revenge. As the events unfold, Vicki begins to notice changing dynamics with Anthony, prompting her to suggest that Mikey leave, believing he has outlived his usefulness. However, Mikey cannot sever his bond with the boy and chooses to remain.

In an unexpected twist, Precious inadvertently discloses the truth about Vicki and Anthony, provoking Clayton’s wrath. In a brutal moment, he murders Precious in front of Dr. Don and injures him severely. This shocking violence triggers a profound shift in Mikey, who resolves that his next kill will be his last. In his hotel room, he reviews the details of the hit, only to come across a haunting photograph of him and Vicki—a reminder of a past he cannot escape.

Seizing the opportunity, Mikey attempts to contact Vicki, only to have Clayton’s henchman take the call, unwittingly leading Mikey into a trap that brings him face-to-face with Clayton. The brutal underworld figure subjects Mikey to a horrific ordeal in the basement, painfully torturing him by cutting off one of his fingers. Vicki and Anthony are forced to witness the gruesome act, their expressions reflecting horror.

As Clayton taunts Vicki, Mikey capitalizes on a slip in attention to break free and engages in a ferocious struggle, ultimately overpowering both the henchman and Clayton himself. Just when it seems hope is lost, Anthony unexpectedly enters the fight, delivering a decisive blow to Clayton. As the danger subsides, Mikey confronts Clayton, remarking on the irony of how proud the defeated assassin must feel about Anthony.

In their bid for freedom, Anthony asks a poignant question, “Are you my son?” Filled with emotion, Mikey opens up about their long-hidden connection. In the aftermath, he urges Anthony to stay alert against any potential dangers, to which the brave boy responds, “We’ll kill ‘em.” Thus, a new bond is forged amidst the chaos, marking the beginning of their relentless journey in a precarious world.