Directed by
Scott Mann
Made by
Lionsgate
Discover the intricate plot of Heist (2015). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
The film begins with a pregnant woman waiting for a bus in the dead of night. Shortly after she boards bus #657, the vehicle is hijacked by thieves. The story unfolds one week earlier, where Detective Dog (or Derrick), played by Morris Chestnut, and Mr. Pope, portrayed by Robert De Niro, interrogate a couple regarding a missing fortune. When the man eventually provides an answer, Dog responds with lethal force, killing them both.
Meanwhile, Luke Vaughn, a casino employee played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, struggles as he visits his sick daughter in the hospital. The meager earnings from his job can’t cover her medical bills, and he pledges to the doctor he will have the funds for her operation by Friday, or face devastating consequences. Back at the casino, desperation drives Vaughn to plot a robbery with the help of his co-worker Cox, who is portrayed by Dave Bautista. Cox shares insights about the casino’s lucrative lifestyle, which further ignites Vaughn’s plan.
In a fateful meeting with Pope, Vaughn pleads for at least $300,000 to save his daughter, but is met with refusal and promptly fired. In a twist of fate, Vaughn, Cox, and an unnamed accomplice decide to execute the robbery that very night. Chaos ensues when an employee spots them, and as the situation escalates, a gun is drawn, killing the employee. They flee as a shootout erupts with Dog and his team, wounding one of the thieves. With their getaway car in disarray, they hijack bus 657, unaware that police, led by Officer Kris Bauhaus, played by Gina Carano, are hot on their trail, a few blocks behind the bus.
As the bus speeds away, Kris hears gunfire and gives chase, seeking to bring the situation under control. Vaughn and the others remove their masks, making their identities known to Dog and his crew. When Kris approaches, the atmosphere shifts; the thieves attempt to act composed. However, when Kris insists the bus pull over, chaos erupts as Cox fires a shotgun in her direction, narrowly missing her. The police set up roadblocks, and Vaughn, seeking negotiation, inscribes the passenger’s phone numbers on the bus window. He demands that Kris clear the roadblocks, threatening the hostages, including the boy and the pregnant woman, Pauline.
Kris complies, and they make their way onto the interstate. As dawn breaks, tensions rise—one wounded thief is dying, prompting Vaughn to call on a student passenger with veterinary skills for help. While Cox communicates with Jono, a contact assisting their escape, another male passenger attempts to take control but is swiftly subdued by Vaughn.
Realizing their fuel is running low for a trip to Galveston, Texas, they call for a fuel tanker, prompting a tense side plot where Kris drives to facilitate the refueling process under the watchful eye of Detective Marconi, who supports Kris. During the refuel, Vaughn makes a pivotal decision to release two hostages, recognizing how much he wants to see his daughter survive. Meanwhile, the wounded thief succumbs to injuries, creating more chaos in the bus as others struggle for survival. As the tension mounts, one of the remaining passengers, now emboldened, attacks Marconi, leading to a fierce confrontation.
With SWAT teams surrounding the bus and mounting pressure, Cox takes drastic measures, threatening lives to assert control. A sudden turn of events sees Cox shot down by Vaughn, who ultimately reveals his cunning plan. Just as Vaughn receives emotional news from his daughter about the hospital, he later orchestrates a clever escape, releasing hostages and vanishing into the night under cover.
As Vaughn plots vengeance against Jono, who has a tragic fate waiting for him, he finds himself ensnared by Dog and Pope. A tension-filled standoff reveals a shocking twist about Pauline, uncovering secrets about her true nature and her link to Vaughn’s plans. The film crescendos in chaos, with dogged determination from both sides as Vaughn stakes everything for his daughter’s future, culminating in an explosive finale that reveals the true stakes of desperation and survival.
Track the key events of Heist (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Pregnant Woman Waits for Bus
The film opens on a pregnant woman waiting for a bus in the dead of night. This moment sets the tone for the unfolding chaos as she becomes an unwitting participant in a dramatic turn of events.
Bus Hijacking
After boarding bus #657, the pregnant woman and other passengers find themselves in peril when the bus is hijacked by thieves. This event propels the plot into a gripping hostage situation that intertwines various characters' fates.
Detective Investigation
One week prior, Detective Dog and Mr. Pope interrogate a couple about a missing fortune. The interrogation turns fatal when Dog resorts to lethal force, killing both individuals after receiving the information he sought.
Luke Vaughn's Despair
Luke Vaughn, a casino employee, struggles to manage mounting medical bills for his sick daughter. He visits his daughter in the hospital, where he promises her doctor that he will secure enough money for her operation by the upcoming Friday.
Robbery Planning
Desperation drives Vaughn to devise a robbery plan with his co-worker, Cox. As they discuss the casino's wealth, Vaughn's determination to save his daughter deepens, laying the groundwork for their criminal intentions.
Vaughn's Plea for Help
In a critical meeting with Mr. Pope, Vaughn pleads for a loan of $300,000 to help his daughter. However, his request is met with indifference, leading to his dismissal from the casino, compounding his desperation.
Casino Heist
In a fateful decision, Vaughn and Cox execute the robbery that very night. The situation escalates quickly when an employee discovers them, triggering a violent chain of events that results in the employee's death.
Bus Hijacking
With their getaway plan unraveling, the thieves hijack bus #657 to escape police pursuit. Unbeknownst to them, Officer Kris Bauhaus is still tracking them closely, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase.
Police Chase
As the bus speeds through the city, Officer Kris hears gunfire and engages in a tense chase. The atmosphere intensifies when the identities of the thieves are revealed, leading to a standoff with armed police.
Negotiation Attempt
Vaughn attempts to negotiate with Kris as they approach a police blockade. He writes down hostages' phone numbers on the bus window, using their safety as leverage to clear the roadblocks.
Hostage Situation Intensifies
With a wounded accomplice on the verge of death, tensions on the bus escalate. Vaughn calls on a student with veterinary skills for help, desperate to save his fellow thief and maintain control over the situation.
Fuel Crisis
Realizing they wouldn't make it to their destination without refueling, the gang sets up a plan to call for a fuel tanker. Officer Kris facilitates the process under constant surveillance from Detective Marconi.
Vaughn's Decision to Release Hostages
Amid mounting chaos, Vaughn makes a pivotal choice to release two hostages, indicating his desire to see his daughter survive. This decision fractures the group's dynamics and heightens the emergency inside the bus.
Climactic Showdown
As the situation deteriorates, Vaughn ultimately confronts Cox, who has asserted himself through intimidation. The confrontation culminates in a shocking moment where Vaughn shoots Cox to regain control.
Vaughn's Escape
In a clever twist of fate, Vaughn orchestrates an escape plan, releasing the remaining hostages under cover of chaos. As he disappears into the night, his fate remains uncertain while he plots his next move against Jono, who awaits a tragic end.
Meet the characters that bring Heist (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Detective Dog (Derrick)
A relentless and morally ambiguous cop, Detective Dog employs extreme measures to get answers, demonstrating a cold side when pushed to confrontational scenarios. His views on justice blur the lines as he recklessly engages in violence to fulfill his duty. Dog's character embodies the struggle between enforcing the law and the desperation for immediate results.
Luke Vaughn
As a devoted father, Luke Vaughn's character arc is driven by his desperate need to secure funds for his ill daughter. His moral compass shifts dramatically, leading him from a mundane job to orchestrating a dangerous robbery, showcasing the lengths he is willing to go for family. Vaughn's struggle between criminal actions and fatherly duty creates a compelling need for salvation and redemption.
Mr. Pope
Portrayed as a shrewd and calculating character, Mr. Pope operates from the shadows, often manipulating situations to his advantage. His interactions with other characters reveal a lack of empathy, as he prioritizes profit over people. Pope’s character adds to the film’s tension by embodying the heartlessness often found in organized crime.
Officer Kris Bauhaus
Officer Kris Bauhaus is a determined and skilled police officer, showcasing her resilience in high-pressure situations. Her commitment to rescuing the hostages reveals her strong moral fiber, but the chaos of the bus hijacking forces her to confront the dark realities of crime. Kris embodies the struggle between law enforcement duty and the unpredictability of the human psyche.
Uncover the settings of Heist (2015), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting current societal issues such as economic struggles and crime. It depicts a world where desperation leads individuals to take extreme measures, echoing modern-day themes of survival and moral dilemmas.
Location
Casino, Bus 657, Galveston, Texas
The movie primarily unfolds around a bustling casino known for its high-stakes gambling and vibrant nightlife, which serves as a backdrop to the desperate actions of the characters. The tense atmosphere escalates when the thieves hijack bus 657 during their escape, creating a claustrophobic setting for the unfolding drama. The destination of Galveston, Texas, hints at a getaway filled with sandy beaches and a potential fresh start amid the chaos.
Explore the core themes of Heist (2015). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Desperation
Desperation drives the characters of the film to make life-altering choices, particularly Luke Vaughn, whose need to save his daughter pushes him into a life of crime. The choices made in moments of crisis lead to a series of chaotic events, highlighting the lengths one will go to for their loved ones. This theme intertwines with the moral complexities of right and wrong as characters find themselves in dire predicaments.
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Justice vs. Lawlessness
The clash between justice and lawlessness is a prominent theme, epitomized by Detective Dog and Officer Kris Bauhaus's relentless pursuit of the thieves. The film navigates the fine line between right and wrong, as Vaughn's illegal actions stem from a place of desperation to seek justice for his daughter's health. The moral ambiguity presented forces characters to confront the consequences of their choices in the face of law enforcement.
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