Made by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Discover the intricate plot of Lucky Number Slevin (2006). 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.
Two separate bookies fall victim to unseen assassins, while a young man meets his end at the hands of a sniper. In a bus terminal, he encounters Goodkat (Bruce Willis), who recounts the tale of Max and the Kansas City Shuffle—a cautionary story from two decades prior. Max, portrayed by Scott Gibson, found himself in deep with the mob after betting on a rigged horse race. Unbeknownst to him, the mob controlled both sides of the gamble, causing Max to unwittingly bet against himself. With the race’s outcome predetermined, and the news leaking about the rigging, the mob retaliated by eliminating Max, along with his wife and their young son, Henry. Goodkat introduces the concept of the “Kansas City Shuffle,” a deceptive double bluff, and subsequently tricks and kills the young man, disposing of the body in a truck.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Slevin Kelevra (Josh Hartnett) is temporarily residing in his friend Nick Fisher’s apartment. Under the impression that Nick was expected to meet him, Slevin finds himself perplexed by Nick’s unexplained absence and the fact that the apartment door stands ajar. When Lindsey (Lucy Liu), Nick’s neighbor, visits, she hints at Nick’s potential disappearance. Shortly after her departure, Slevin is seized by two henchmen, Elvis (Dorian Missick) and Sloe (Mykelti Williamson), who mistake him for Nick. They transport him to meet The Boss (Morgan Freeman), who has a vendetta against Nick for a gambling debt amounting to $96,000, which Nick owed after passing on his debt to The Boss’s now deceased bookie.
The Boss commands Slevin—a case of mistaken identity—to either repay the debt or assassinate the son of his rival, The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley). The Boss believes that The Rabbi orchestrated the killing of his own son, the tensions between the two escalating. Upon returning to the apartment, Slevin is once again abducted, this time by The Rabbi’s henchmen. Like The Boss, they incorrectly identify him as Nick and demand he settle another debt of $33,000.
Slevin declares to The Boss his intention to assassinate The Fairy, while the narrative reveals that Goodkat is intricately entwined in both rival factions, with ulterior motives to eliminate Slevin once The Fairy is dealt with. Lindsey, who works as a mortuary attendant, shares with Slevin about a bookie’s corpse recently admitted, theorizing that Nick might have been involved in those killings and has since gone into hiding, leaving Slevin in a precarious position.
During their dinner, Slevin arranges a rendezvous with The Fairy, and while in the midst of his plans, he is approached by Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci), who is deep into an investigation regarding both mob bosses and has noted the return of Goodkat after twenty years, which raises suspicions about their connections. As Slevin identifies himself more completely during the detective’s questioning, his plot thickens.
At the scheduled date with The Fairy, Slevin takes action and fatally wounds him. Just then, Goodkat appears, seemingly ready to finish Slevin off but ultimately kills The Fairy instead, exposing their covert collaboration. They move swiftly, using Nick Fisher’s corpse to fabricate Slevin’s demise while detonating the apartment to cover their tracks. Capturing both The Boss and The Rabbi, they awaken binded in The Boss’s luxurious penthouse. The Rabbi attempts to convince The Boss of their lack of involvement in the past murder but is ultimately exposed as a pawn in Goodkat’s greater scheme.
As the layers of duplicity are peeled back, Slevin reveals his true identity—he is Henry, the slain Max’s son. The mobsters who executed Max are none other than The Boss and The Rabbi themselves. Goodkat, instead of killing Henry, opted to nurture him after a moral awakening when he was initially sent to finish the boy off.
Fast forward a score later, Slevin informs those left standing that he and Goodkat have eliminated the mob’s bookies and pilfered their records to uncover Nick Fisher’s ties to both sides, leading to their meticulous revenge scheme. With cunning strategy, Slevin has eliminated The Boss’s son to instigate a fight between the two mob factions, eventually luring them both to their ultimate fates—murder at the hands of Slevin, who suffocates The Rabbi and The Boss in a similar fashion to how they dispatched his father.
Detective Brikowski, unaware of the connections running deep in his past, learns the origin of Slevin Kelevra—an allusion to Slevin’s father’s ill-fated bet. As Brikowski learns the truth of his past misdeeds, his fate intertwines with Slevin again, ending the cycle of vengeance and despair.
In an epilogue of sorts at the bus terminal, Slevin encounters Lindsey again, revealing a twist: Goodkat’s intentions to keep her alive were complicated. They’ve orchestrated an elaborate deception. Goodkat uplifts Slevin’s father’s old watch to him before disappearing among the throng. The tale concludes at a reminiscent juncture, harking back to that fateful moment where Goodkat first chose to spare young Henry, as a song titled “Kansas City Shuffle” plays softly in the background.
Track the key events of Lucky Number Slevin (2006) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Assassins Strike
Two bookies fall victim to unseen assassins, marking the initiation of a violent power struggle within the mob. This event sets a dark tone for the unfolding story, showcasing the lethal consequences of gambling and betrayal.
The Young Man's Fate
A young man meets a tragic end at the hands of a sniper, highlighting the ruthless world of organized crime. This incident foreshadows the larger web of violence and deception that will ensnare others throughout the narrative.
Goodkat's Tale
In the bus terminal, the character Goodkat recounts a cautionary tale about Max and the 'Kansas City Shuffle.' This story serves as a critical exposition that reveals the manipulative tactics employed by mobsters in the gambling world.
Max's Downfall
Max bets on a rigged horse race orchestrated by the mob, unaware that he is betting against himself. This pivotal moment exposes the dangers of trusting in a corrupted system and sets off a chain reaction of violence.
Tragic Retaliation
Following the news of the rigged race leaking, the mob retaliates by eliminating Max and his family. The tragic loss of Max, his wife, and young Henry underlines the film's themes of vengeance and the cycle of violence.
Slevin's Arrival
Slevin Kelevra arrives in New York City and finds himself in an odd situation at his friend Nick's apartment. The absence of Nick and the open apartment door create a mysterious atmosphere that hints at impending danger.
Mistaken Identity
Two henchmen, Elvis and Sloe, mistakenly abduct Slevin, believing him to be Nick. This pivotal error thrusts Slevin into a conflict between the mob bosses, The Boss and The Rabbi, setting the stage for escalating chaos.
The Boss's Orders
Slevin is confronted by The Boss, who demands repayment of Nick's $96,000 gambling debt or the assassination of The Rabbi's son. This leads Slevin deeper into the underbelly of crime, complicating his situation significantly.
The Rabbi's Demand
Slevin is soon abducted again, this time by The Rabbi's henchmen, who mistake him for Nick and demand a separate debt settlement of $33,000. This situation further entangles Slevin in the clash between the mob bosses.
Dinner and Revelations
At dinner with Lindsey, Slevin learns about a recent bookie murder linked to Nick's disappearance. This revelation intensifies the mystery surrounding Nick while binding Slevin's fate to both Lindsey and the looming dangers of the mob.
Assassination Attempt
During his planned encounter with The Fairy, Slevin takes decisive action and fatally wounds him. This encounter is pivotal as it leads to Goodkat's true intentions being revealed, forever altering the trajectory of the story.
The Grand Deception
Goodkat and Slevin orchestrate a grand deception by using Nick's corpse to fabricate Slevin's death. They destroy the apartment to cover their tracks, marking a turning point as plans unfold against both mob factions.
Truth Unveiled
In a dramatic twist, Slevin reveals himself to be Henry, the son of Max, gaining vengeance against those responsible for his family's death. This revelation dramatically reshapes the narrative, bringing past and present into direct conflict.
Final Confrontation
Slevin executes a cunning plan that leads to the murders of The Boss and The Rabbi, mirroring their methods against Max. This climactic moment closes the chapter on his childhood trauma, completing his quest for revenge.
Epilogue at the Bus Terminal
In the film's epilogue, Slevin unexpectedly meets Lindsey again at the bus terminal, revealing the film's complex narrative layers. Goodkat's moral choices and their implications on Slevin's journey culminate as they part ways, hinting at a new beginning.
Meet the characters that bring Lucky Number Slevin (2006) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Goodkat
Goodkat is a cunning and manipulative character who pulls strings behind the scenes. Initially appearing as a mentor, his true intentions gradually unveil, revealing layers of his treachery. His complex relationship with Slevin highlights themes of choice and morality, especially in his decision to spare Henry.
Slevin Kelevra
Slevin Kelevra, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, is an unwitting pawn dragged into a dangerous game of mistaken identity. He is resourceful and determined, ultimately revealing a deep-seated need for vengeance after learning of his true heritage. His evolution from victim to orchestrator exemplifies the theme of revenge.
Lindsey
Lindsey, played by Lucy Liu, is Nick's neighbor and provides an emotional anchor for Slevin. As a mortuary attendant, she brings a unique perspective to death and loss, often hinting at the darker undercurrents of the narrative. Her supportive nature intertwines with Slevin's journey, showcasing the impact of relationships amidst chaos.
The Boss
The Boss, interpreted by Morgan Freeman, is a mob leader driven by a vendetta against those who wronged him. His calculating nature and complex motivations highlight the ruthless world of organized crime. His interactions with Slevin reveal the blurred lines between power and vulnerability within the crime underworld.
The Rabbi
The Rabbi, played by Ben Kingsley, is another mob boss embroiled in the dangerous game of alliances and rivalries. His character reveals the undercurrents of betrayal, particularly as his past actions catch up with him. His role accentuates the theme of revenge, as he becomes entangled in Slevin's plans.
Uncover the settings of Lucky Number Slevin (2006), 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 events of the movie span present-day but heavily reference events from two decades prior. This timeframe illustrates a transformation within the characters and the lasting impacts of their past decisions. The narrative's focus on the 'Kansas City Shuffle' exemplifies the cyclical nature of revenge that transcends years.
Location
New York City, Bus Terminal
The primary setting of the movie is New York City, known for its thriving urban life and intricate underworld of crime. A vital scene occurs at a bus terminal, symbolizing the intersection of lives and the unpredictability of fate. The city backdrop enhances the tension as characters navigate their intricate webs of deception.
Explore the core themes of Lucky Number Slevin (2006). 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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Identity
The theme of identity plays a crucial role, particularly through Slevin's mistaken identity as Nick Fisher. This confusion leads to dire consequences, underscoring how appearances can be deceiving. Slevin’s eventual revelation of his true identity as Henry illustrates the lasting effects of familial legacies.
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Revenge
Revenge drives the plot as Slevin meticulously plans to avenge his father's murder. The intertwined destinies of Slevin and the mob bosses reveal how vengeance can lead to a violent cycle that ensnares individuals across generations. The film explores the moral complexities of revenge and its implications for personal identity.
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Deception
Deception weaves through the narrative, seen in Goodkat's manipulative tactics and the multiple double bluffs. The Kansas City Shuffle is emblematic of the film's plot twists, illustrating how characters use trickery to achieve their aims. This theme challenges viewers to question the veracity of what they see and hear.
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