Spenser Confidential

The curtain opens on Detective Spenser, a man consumed by a burning sense of justice, bursting into the opulent home of Captain John Boylan (Michael Gaston), accompanied by his trusted partner Driscoll (Bokeem Woodbine). As they enter, it becomes apparent that Boylan is in no condition to respond rationally, his wife lying battered and bruised at his feet. The scene unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle, with Detective Spenser's (Mark Wahlberg) narrative voiceover painting a vivid picture of the events leading up to this moment for a judge's ears only. It transpires that Spenser had arrived at Boylan's doorstep to confront him about his role in covering up the brutal murder of Gloria Wiesnewski (Alexandra Vino). The tension escalates, and Spenser unleashes his pent-up frustration on Boylan, leaving the captain senseless and helpless.

Five long years pass, and Spenser finds himself standing at the threshold of freedom. His release from prison is preceded by a chilling encounter with Squeeb (Post Malone), a menacing figure affiliated with an Aryan supremacist gang. As Spenser navigates this treacherous landscape, he finds solace in the guidance of his wise and loyal friend Henry Cimoli (Alan Arkin). Together, they navigate the complexities of the outside world.

The reunion between Spenser and Henry is interrupted by the unwelcome arrival of Spenser's ex-girlfriend, Cissy Davis (Iliza Schlesinger), who comes to collect him from prison. However, this awkward encounter is swiftly overshadowed by a heartwarming welcome at Henry's new home, where Spenser is greeted by his faithful dog Pearl and an unlikely roommate in the enigmatic Hawk (Winston Duke). It becomes clear that Pearl has developed an affinity for Hawk, leaving Spenser feeling slightly left out.

As night falls, Captain Boylan drives home, lost in conversation with his daughter on the phone. His journey takes a deadly turn when he approaches a bus yard and is struck by a truck. A group of hooded figures emerges from the shadows, brutally assaulting Boylan as his terrified daughter listens helplessly to her father's pleas. The attackers accuse Boylan of betraying their trust and, in a gruesome display of violence, take his life with a machete.

The next morning dawns on Letitia Graham (Hope Olaide Wilson), a nurse who stumbles upon the lifeless body of her husband Terrence (Brandon Scales) in his car, a victim of a senseless drive-by shooting. As she crumples into a heap of grief, the sounds of chaos and despair echo through the streets, setting the stage for the complex web of events that will soon unfold.

The news of Boylan's untimely demise sends shockwaves throughout the city, and before long, Spenser finds himself at the center of a maelstrom of suspicion. Two detectives, including the tenacious Driscoll, arrive on his doorstep, determined to dispel rumors that he was nowhere near the crime scene when the murder occurred. However, it's clear that every other law enforcement official in the city has already made up their minds about Spenser's involvement in Boylan's tragic demise.

Undeterred by the skepticism and hostility surrounding him, Spenser embarks on a new career path as a truck driver, but his daily routine is soon disrupted by the revelation that Terrence, a respected colleague, is being accused of playing a role in Boylan's murder. The media frenzy surrounding the case only intensifies when Letitia, devastated by her loss, appears on television, and Spenser finds himself compelled to take matters into his own hands.

His personal connection to Terrence, whom he knew as a dedicated and honorable cop, serves as the catalyst for Spenser's decision to investigate further. He pays a visit to Letitia, who shares her concerns about the questionable tactics employed by the detectives who raided her home. She reveals that they seemed eerily well-informed about the location of a stash of drugs that had been deliberately planted at the scene.

Armed with this new information, Spenser heads to the cop bar where Terrence was last seen socializing with Boylan. There, he engages in a candid conversation with another detective who would have been privy to any involvement Terrence may have had with his colleague. However, before their discussion can progress, a group of police officers loyal to Boylan arrive on the scene and proceed to confront Spenser.

After being ejected from the bar, Spenser seeks out security footage at a nearby bodega, where he discovers grainy images of Terrence and Boylan meeting outside the establishment. He takes this evidence back to his own turf, where he enlists the expertise of his trusted friend Hawk to analyze every detail.

As the investigation unfolds, Spenser becomes increasingly convinced that Driscoll was at the crime scene after all, despite his denials. This suspicion is fueled by the discovery of a toothpick on the premises – an item Driscoll habitually carries in his mouth.

As Spenser and Hawk indulge in a casual lunch together, the atmosphere is soured by Cissy's unexpected presence. Her arrival sparks a private conversation with Spenser in the bathroom, which devolves into a hasty yet intense encounter. The aftermath of their clandestine meeting brings up unresolved emotions, particularly Cissy's trepidation about a previous pregnancy scare and Spenser's unwavering commitment to being there for any potential child, even without marriage. This sensitive topic is swiftly replaced by the pursuit of justice as they spot the same Corvette that had appeared in the security footage earlier. Spenser's determination to apprehend the vehicle sends him on a solo chase through a yard, where he's met with a ferocious guard dog attack. Hawk, however, manages to snatch the license plate number, and later, at the DMV, Spenser uses his persuasive skills to extract the relevant information from an unwitting employee.

As they keep watch over Bentwood, who is indulging in a therapeutic massage, Spenser shares the haunting tale of his past with Gloria Wiesnewski. He recounts how he once shoveled snow off her mother's porch as a young man and was deeply affected by Gloria's activism against gentrification. When an Irish mob enforcer, "Tracksuit" Charlie Bentwood (James DuMont), was sent to intimidate her, Spenser found himself entangled in the midst of this conflict. He had previously witnessed security footage of thugs brutally attacking and murdering Gloria, only to discover that Boylan had been deliberately stalling on the case. This realization ultimately led to Spenser's violent confrontation with Boylan at his residence.

As they continue to surveil Bentwood over the next few days, Hawk takes it upon himself to vandalize the enforcer's car, seeking to provoke a reaction. Their vigilant efforts are eventually put on hold when two FBI agents instruct Spenser to cease pursuit of the case.

As Spenser pays a visit to Squeeb in the hospital, he's well aware that his friend may possess crucial insights into unraveling the tangled case. Initially, Squeeb remains tight-lipped until Spenser shares a compromising recording with Henry on his phone, featuring Hawk on a date with Squeeb's girlfriend. The revelation prompts Squeeb to finally open up and provide Spenser with a cryptic clue: "Wonderland." With the help of reporter Wayne Cosgrove (Marc Maron), Spenser and Hawk delve deeper into the mystery, discovering that Wonderland is a lucrative casino syndicate operated by corrupt cops and the ruthless Trinitarios gang. Their investigation takes them to the heart of Wonderland's operations, where they're met with hostility from its henchmen.

Meanwhile, Boylan receives a traditional officers' funeral, while Terrence is afforded only a modest service attended by close family and friends. The tension between Driscoll and his partner, Macklin (Kip Weeks), reaches a boiling point as they navigate the consequences of their actions.

Spenser's presence in Wonderland attracts unwanted attention from the Trinitarios, who attack him with machetes. However, Spenser manages to fend them off before Hawk intervenes, crashing the scene in his car. Realizing that the Trinitarios are now aware of his involvement and pose a significant threat, Spenser takes precautions by hiding out with Pearl and Hawk at Cissy's safe haven.

Later, Spenser visits Letitia's home after discovering it had been vandalized. She presents him with an audio recording hidden between Terrence and Boylan, which confirms that Boylan was a dirty cop working alongside Bentwood, Macklin, and Driscoll. The evidence reveals that Driscoll was the one who delivered the fatal blow to Boylan. Spenser takes the incriminating tape to the FBI, but they deem it insufficient to take action against Driscoll.

Undeterred, Spenser seeks out Bentwood and extracts a confession about an impending shipment of drugs from New Hampshire destined for Wonderland. He and Hawk track down the truck and force it off the road, killing two of its occupants before discovering the stash. As the dust settles, Spenser is confronted by Driscoll, who's aware that Spenser is onto him and has kidnapped Henry. With an hour deadline looming, Driscoll demands a meeting at Wonderland, leaving Spenser little choice but to comply.

As Cissy's involvement propels them forward, she plays a pivotal role in liberating Henry from his predicament. Meanwhile, Spenser and Hawk stage an unexpected arrival, barreling into the scene atop a truck and deliberately targeting the criminals' vehicles to disable their getaway options. The ensuing melee ensues as they take down each perpetrator with calculated precision, eventually narrowing the battle to a one-on-one showdown between Spenser and Driscoll. In a tense confrontation, Driscoll teeters on the brink of triumph, but Spenser's unwavering determination allows him to regain the upper hand, carefully avoiding the temptation to exact revenge in the same manner he had previously bested Boylan – thereby sidestepping potential legal repercussions.

As the dust settles, Spenser and Hawk emerge victorious, leaving behind a trail of evidence that will ultimately serve as the catalyst for Driscoll's downfall. With the corrupt officers subdued and awaiting arrest, the police arrive just in time to take Driscoll and his cohorts into custody. In the aftermath, Terrence is finally vindicated, paving the way for a dignified officer's funeral and a scholarship established in honor of his son.

The celebratory atmosphere that follows is filled with the savory aroma of lobster as Spenser, Hawk, Cissy, and Henry gather to mark their triumphs. However, the tranquility is short-lived, as a news broadcast from two years prior catches Spenser's attention – a church fire that remains shrouded in mystery, with the Boston fire chief now facing arrest for his alleged involvement. Despite his protestations of innocence, Spenser reveals a personal connection to the accused individual, prompting a sense of foreboding among Henry and Cissy as they realize that Spenser is likely to become embroiled in this new case as well.