Summer of Sam 1999

As writer Jimmy Breslin’s distinctive voiceover sets the tone, we’re transported to a New York City thriving on the surface, yet still reeling from the dark memories of 1977’s notorious .44 Caliber Killer. The camera pans over a cityscape once marred by decay and desperation, but now rejuvenated by its own resilience.

We’re then thrust into the gritty reality of Vinny (John Leguizamo) and his wife Dionna (Mira Sorvino), as they hit the town for a night of dancing and camaraderie. When Vinny offers to give Dionna’s cousin a ride home, it seems like a harmless gesture - until we realize he has ulterior motives. The tension is palpable as the couple is interrupted by another pair in the car behind them, sending them fleeing in terror. Meanwhile, unseen forces lurk just out of sight, waiting to strike.

As Vinny navigates the city streets with Dionna, her probing questions about his tardiness are sidetracked when they stumble upon a crime scene eerily reminiscent of their own interrupted tryst. The gruesome discovery sends Vinny reeling, his world turned upside down as he vomits in distress, convinced that the elusive .44 Caliber Killer is once again on the prowl.

Word spreads through Vinny’s social circle - Joey T (Michael Rispoli), Brian, and Anthony - that the killer may have set its sights on him next. Though they’re joking, Vinny can’t shake off the feeling of impending doom. The arrival of Ritchie (Adrien Brody) in his punk finery sparks a mix of reactions from their group, with Ruby (Jennifer Esposito) being the last to arrive and immediately drawn to Ritchie’s rebellious aura.

As the city’s underbelly begins to seep into the surface, we’re left wondering: will Vinny be able to outrun his dark suspicions, or will the killer catch up with him in a deadly game of cat and mouse?

At Luigi’s (Ben Gazzara) renowned eatery, a tense request from Detective (Anthony LaPaglia) on the .44 Caliber Killer case sets the stage for an intricate web of alliances and betrayals. Initially resistant to getting involved, Luigi’s resolve falters after reading the chilling letter penned by the elusive Son of Sam. As Ruby navigates her own troubles with Vinny at the salon, Ritchie arrives seeking refuge from his chaotic home life, having just stumbled upon a disturbing scene involving his mother and stepfather. Vinny offers to take him in, but Ruby convinces him to temporarily inhabit the garage, where they collaborate on a DIY makeover. As night falls, Ruby makes a move on Ritchie, but he politely declines her advances, emphasizing that his decision has nothing to do with her departure. Meanwhile, Vinny’s guilty conscience is momentarily assuaged by Gloria (Bebe Neuwirth), but his guilt soon gives way to indulgence.

As tensions simmer at the salon, Ritchie confides in Ruby about his own struggles and shares a secret passion for dance, which he expresses through sultry performances at Midnite’s (Michael Imperioli) underground theatre. Impressed by Ruby’s fiery spirit, Midnite asks her what she likes to do best, insinuating that she has more than just giving away her affection. Outside the theatre, Ruby reveals her deepening feelings for Ritchie and begins to embody the punk aesthetic.

As paranoia grips Vinny like a vice, Dionna’s attempts to comfort him fall on deaf ears. With the Son of Sam still at large and the police stumped, Luigi decides to take matters into his own hands, offering an additional $5,000 to the reward in hopes of generating more leads. Meanwhile, Joey T, Anthony, Brian, and Woodstock concoct their own list of suspects, fueled by personal vendettas rather than concrete evidence. Ritchie, however, tops their list - a development that will have far-reaching consequences.

As Vinny and Ritchie engage in a candid conversation at a diner, their discussion about relationships is abruptly cut short when Ritchie’s intimidating behavior prompts the patrons to ask them to leave. A tense standoff ensues before Ritchie takes matters into his own hands by shattering a glass against his own skull, effectively quelling any potential conflict with Vinny and the other customers. As they stroll along the beach under the scorching summer sun, the temperature soaring to a sweltering 104 degrees, Ritchie attempts to rationalize his actions to Vinny, only for the conversation to prove too complex for Vinny’s comprehension.

Meanwhile, in the midst of this chaos, a sudden and unexpected blackout plunges the Five Boroughs into darkness. In response, Luigi organizes a block party to bring the community together and protect its residents from any potential threats posed by the notorious Son of Sam. Elsewhere, Joey T leads a ragtag group of vigilantes on patrol, meting out rough justice to anyone attempting to infiltrate their neighborhood.

Back at CBGB’s, Ritchie extends an invitation to Vinny and his friends to attend one of his band’s performances, while in the club’s bathroom, Dionna seeks Ruby’s counsel on how to navigate her troubled relationship with Vinny. Ruby’s advice is straightforward yet poignant: don’t be married to him. As Vinny and Dionna make their way to the club, they’re deterred by the throngs of people outside and instead try their luck at Studio 54. However, the bouncer proves unforgiving, sending them packing.

Their fortunes change when they’re approached by a mysterious figure who whisks them away to Plato’s Retreat, where Dionna and Vinny succumb to their desires, indulging in a night of debauched revelry that includes group sex and intoxication. As the evening wears on, Vinny’s jealousy gets the better of him, prompting him to mock an already humiliated Dionna with devastating results.

The confrontation culminates in Dionna revealing her knowledge of Vinny’s infidelity – specifically his tryst with her cousin – before driving off, leaving Vinny chasing after her as she disappears into the night.

As July 29 dawns, Joey T (actor’s name) and the mischievous crew embark on a mission to deflate the tires of everyone on their list, a move that signals the escalation of their vigilante tactics. Meanwhile, the real Son of Sam spirals further into chaos, as his grip on reality begins to slip and he becomes convinced that a black dog is urging him to unleash his destructive power. The very next day, at the local diner, Vinny (actor’s name) and Joey T gather with their friends, unaware that the owner has just banished Ritchie from the premises due to his recent antics. As Vinny storms out in a huff, Joey T tries to get the lowdown on what went down, but it’s too late – Vinny is already gone.

In another corner of town, Bobby the Fairy, a trusted ally of Joey T’s crew, stumbles upon Ritchie at the local gay theater. Ritchie, desperate to protect his reputation, warns Bobby that he’ll kill him if he breathes a word about their encounter. But Bobby, misunderstanding Ritchie’s intentions, takes this threat at face value and is left shaken by the experience. As night falls, the Son of Sam claims two more victims in Brooklyn, leaving a trail of terror and despair in his wake.

As the group’s suspicions about Ritchie’s involvement in the Son of Sam murders grow, they turn to Vinny for insight into their friend’s activities. Vinny’s initial reluctance to betray Ritchie’s trust is eventually overcome by his friends’ desperation to uncover the truth. It transpires that Ritchie has been leading a double life, moonlighting as a pornographer and performance artist at a gay theater, where he’s been working with Ruby. Joey T and Anthony are stunned, but Vinny’s loyalty remains unwavering - or so it seems.

However, when Vinny encounters Ritchie at CBGB, the fragile facade of friendship begins to crumble. Vinny’s probing questions about Ritchie’s involvement in a cult, his nocturnal activities, and the Son of Sam murders elicit defensiveness and hurt from Ritchie, who feels betrayed by Vinny’s accusations. As tensions escalate, Vinny’s world starts to unravel.

The release of the composite sketch of the killer sparks further chaos as each person sees something different in the image - a reflection of their own fears and biases. Joey T is convinced that the sketch bears an uncanny resemblance to Ritchie, and he sets out to convince Vinny of his suspicions. But Vinny’s initial skepticism gives way to creeping dread when Joey T draws spiky hair onto the composite sketch.

As the days pass, Vinny’s grip on reality begins to slip. A heated confrontation with Gloria at the salon, fueled by rage and despair, ends with him storming out, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. When he arrives home, he finds that Gloria has already spilled all about his infidelities to Dionna, his girlfriend. The devastating news sends Vinny reeling into a cycle of self-destructive behavior, as he turns to cocaine and Quaaludes to numb the pain.

The once-steady Vinny now teeters on the brink of collapse, his relationships in tatters, his sanity fraying at the edges.

As Richie settles back into his family’s garage, Joey T and their cohorts devise a plan to apprehend him and transport him to Luigi. Before embarking on their mission, however, they decide to track down Vinny, whose cooperation they believe will be essential in luring Richie out of hiding. The group infiltrates Vinny’s residence, finding him in a state of intoxication and forcing him to accompany them on their quest, promising not to harm him as long as he remains compliant. Unbeknownst to them, the authorities have already apprehended David Berkowitz, the notorious Son of Sam.

Meanwhile, Vinny pays Richie an unexpected visit, bearing grave news about Dionna’s departure from his life. Ritchie invites Vinny into his home, but Vinny insists they converse outside, hesitant to disturb Ruby with the distressing information. As the two former friends converse, Vinny attempts to caution Richie against danger, but before he can fully convey his message, Joey T and their associates spring into action, surrounding Ritchie.

Vinny watches in horror as Ritchie employs his guitar to defend himself against the onslaught, but is ultimately subdued by the group’s brute force. Ruby is restrained by Bobby as they drag a battered Richie away from the scene. However, their escape is short-lived, as Ritchie’s stepfather, Eddie (Mike Starr), emerges from the house, brandishing a Luger pistol and revealing to the group that the real Son of Sam had already been apprehended in Yonkers.

As the group begins to disperse, Vinny can only gaze upon Richie’s bloodied and beaten form with remorse, attempting a feeble apology before turning away.