Wanted

In the midst of a mundane routine in Chicago, Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) finds himself trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of drudgery, punctuated by anxiety attacks and a love life marred by infidelity at the hands of his live-in girlfriend. However, everything changes when enigmatic Fox (Angelina Jolie) bursts into his life, revealing that his recently deceased father was an assassin and that he himself is being hunted by Cross (Thomas Kretschmann), the ruthless killer responsible for the elder Gibson's demise. As Wesley watches in horror as Fox and Cross engage in a fiery shootout, he panics and becomes the target of their deadly game of cat and mouse.

Before he can process this bombshell, Fox whisks him away to a clandestine factory, where he meets Sloan (Morgan Freeman), the enigmatic leader of an elite group of assassins known as the Fraternity. Under the guise of a sadistic drill sergeant, Sloan subjects Wesley to a grueling series of physical and mental tests, culminating in the gruesome but ultimately empowering task of shooting the wings off several flies. As the truth begins to sink in, Sloan reveals that Wesley's debilitating panic attacks are actually a rare gift – a unique ability to channel massive amounts of adrenaline into his brain, thereby slowing down his perception of time and granting him extraordinary strength and speed.

With this newfound understanding comes a sense of purpose, as Sloan presents Wesley with an ultimatum: join the Fraternity and help eliminate Cross, or continue living in ignorance. As Wesley navigates this treacherous new world, he discovers that his bank account has been mysteriously replenished to the tune of $3.6 million – a windfall that imbues him with a newfound sense of confidence.

Armed with this fresh perspective, Wesley returns to his mundane office job, where he proceeds to skewer his boss in front of their colleagues and exact revenge on Barry (Chris Pratt) for his infidelity. Fox, ever watchful, chauffeurs Wesley to the Fraternity's headquarters – an abandoned cotton mill that serves as a labyrinthine stronghold for these deadly operatives.

As Wesley embarks on a grueling regimen of physical training under Fox's brutal tutelage, he learns the art of knife fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and the subtle nuances of firearm marksmanship – including the ability to curve bullets around targets with uncanny precision. Despite his initial frustration and disillusionment with the Fraternity's methods, Wesley eventually finds himself excelling in his training, driven by a newfound sense of purpose.

It is here that Sloan reveals the true nature of the Loom of Fate – an ancient, mystical artifact that has served as the Fraternity's guiding light for over 1,000 years. This enigmatic device, woven from the very fabric of fate itself, has the power to identify those who will go on to create chaos and evil in the world, with Sloan serving as its chief interpreter. As Wesley becomes increasingly embroiled in the Fraternity's inner workings, he begins to grasp the true extent of his newfound abilities – and the weighty responsibility that comes with them.

As Wesley's reputation as a skilled operative continues to grow, he finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue and deception following a brutal confrontation with Cross that results in an unexpected fatality - the Exterminator, a former acquaintance. In the aftermath, Cross returns fire, striking Wesley in the shoulder. The Fraternity's Sloan, seemingly sympathetic to Wesley's desire for vengeance against his father's killers, grants him permission to take down Cross. However, unbeknownst to Wesley, Fox is secretly instructed by Sloan to eliminate him, citing a mysterious alignment of circumstances in the Loom.

As Wesley recovers from his injury, he becomes obsessed with tracing the bullet that inflicted it, leading him to Pekwarsky (Terence Stamp), a man with ties to Cross. With Fox's assistance, they apprehend Pekwarsky and arrange a clandestine meeting with Cross. When the two adversaries finally face off on a speeding train, Fox intervenes by deliberately derailing the locomotive. As Cross attempts to save Wesley from falling debris, the operative seizes the opportunity to deliver the fatal shot. Before succumbing to his wounds, Cross reveals a shocking truth - he is Wesley's biological father. Fox corroborates this revelation, explaining that Wesley was recruited due to his unique status as someone Cross would never harm.

As the train hurtles towards the river, Fox prepares to eliminate Wesley, but instead targets the window below them, sending both men plummeting into the water. Pekwarsky subsequently rescues Wesley and leads him to Cross's apartment - a location eerily familiar to Wesley, who realizes it's situated directly opposite his own residence.

Pekwarsky shares a chilling truth: Sloan had been manufacturing targets for personal gain after discovering he was being targeted by the Loom. Cross, driven by a desire to protect his son from the violence that surrounds him, went rogue and began killing Fraternity members in an effort to keep them away. With this knowledge, Pekwarsky departs, imparting Cross's final wish - that Wesley live a life free of violence.

However, Wesley is left seething with anger and betrayal after uncovering a hidden room within his father's apartment, containing blueprints for the Fraternity's secret base. Consumed by a thirst for retribution, he sets his sights on Sloan, determined to bring him down once and for all.

As the dust settles on the Fraternity's ravaged base, Wesley unleashes his vengeance upon the remaining assassins, employing a cunning tactic learned from his unlikely ally, the Exterminator (Konstantin Khabensky), one of the few individuals with whom he shares a bond. The ensuing battle is a maelstrom of bullets and bloodshed as Wesley methodically eradicates his former comrades. Upon entering Sloan's office, he finds himself surrounded by Fox, Gunsmith, and a coterie of ruthless operatives. With calculated precision, Wesley exposes Sloan's deception, revealing the shocking truth that the names present had genuinely appeared in the Loom. As Sloan rationalizes his actions, citing a need to protect those whose lives hung in the balance, he presents the Fraternity members with an unpalatable choice: adhere to the code and take their own lives or eliminate Wesley and harness their exceptional skills to dominate the world. The room falls silent as each operative makes their selection, except for Fox, who defies the odds by opting to follow the code – a decision that ultimately leads her to sacrifice herself in a blaze of gunfire.

As chaos erupts and Sloan makes his escape, Wesley is left standing amidst the carnage, his bank account depleted and his world reduced to ashes. With no other choice but to return to the humdrum existence of his desk job, he is confronted by Sloan, who seeks to exact revenge for his perceived betrayal. However, the tables are turned when the person facing him reveals itself to be a decoy, a clever ruse that leaves Sloan stunned and disoriented.

From the shadows of Cross' apartment, miles away, Wesley exacts his revenge with calculated precision, dispatching Sloan with a sniper rifle's deadly accuracy. As he turns his gaze upon the audience, his expression is one of quiet triumph, as if to say: "I am taking back control of my life, and I invite you to do the same – what have you done lately?" The question hangs in the air, a challenge to the viewer to reflect on their own existence and the choices they make.