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Plot Summary


Alex Lewis, portrayed by Liam Neeson, is an assassin based in Mexico struggling with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He operates under the direction of Monica Bellucci as Davana Sealman and is tasked with eliminating a target in El Paso, Texas. This city holds particular significance for Alex, as it is not only his hometown but also the residence of his brother, who is battling severe Alzheimer’s in a nursing home.

His assignment focuses on the builder for the Texas Central Processing Facility, Ellis Van Camp. Meanwhile, FBI agent Vincent Serra, played by Guy Pearce, is deep undercover in El Paso, aiming to take down a notorious sex trafficker known as “Papa Leon.” During a tense sting operation, Vincent successfully neutralizes Papa Leon after he takes his daughter Beatriz hostage. Following this, Beatriz is delivered to the Processing Facility, where she has previously been held.

As Alex executes his hit on Ellis and steals a flash drive from his safe, he uncovers that his next target is Beatriz. However, adhering to his personal code, he refuses to kill her, believing any harm to children is “off limits.” In a desperate attempt to save her, he confronts William Borden, Davana’s attorney, demanding the contract be canceled. Unfortunately, instead of being saved, Beatriz falls victim to another assassin, Mauricio.

The next day, Alex awakens in a hotel room after a one-night stand and discovers news of Beatriz’s tragic demise. Knowing that he is now in peril himself, he instructs Maya, his companion, to remain in the safety of the room as he heads to the parking garage. A violent confrontation ensues between him and Mauricio, resulting in Maya’s untimely death as she returns to give Alex his Alzheimer’s medication. After eliminating Mauricio, Alex resorts to disposing of both their bodies inside Mauricio’s vehicle.

Seeking answers and reflecting on the stolen flash drive, Alex retreats to a former bakery once owned by his father. Here, he discovers disturbing footage of Davana’s son, Randy, assaulting Beatriz. As chaos ensues following Borden’s murder, Davana attempts to shield Randy, who decides to throw a lavish party on his yacht.

Simultaneously, Vincent and his team, including Mexican police detective Hugo Marquez and Special Agent Taj Atwal, connect the dots between the recent murders, realizing that the same weapon was used in both Van Camp’s and Borden’s killings. Their investigation leads them to uncover Randy’s pivotal role in this web of crime.

When the FBI storms the yacht party, Alex intervenes first, killing Randy before he can be apprehended. Despite being shot by Marquez during his escape, Alex later recovers at the bakery, though his Alzheimer’s symptoms grow increasingly debilitating. He narrowly avoids capture from law enforcement and infiltrates Davana’s heavily guarded penthouse.

In a swift and brutal confrontation, Alex confronts Davana but forgets that he has disabled his gun, leading to his capture by her henchman, Lee Boardman. Despite being in police custody, Alex manages to send a package containing the flash drive to Vincent and his colleagues. However, the Feds only discover Alex when he is found in the hospital, where he attempts to explain the crucial evidence he holds, albeit struggling with his memory.

Davana’s machinations catch up to her when she blackmails her doctor into eliminating Alex. In a chaotic turn of events, Alex subdues the doctor and escapes into a complex situation where the police mistake a hostage situation, leading to tragic consequences. Before he succumbs to fatal injuries, Alex cryptically reveals to Vincent that Davana intended “to bury this,” spelling it out to emphasize his message.

In the aftermath, Vincent learns this refers to the bakery where pivotal evidence lies hidden—a recording of Davana’s threat towards Ellis. However, upon presenting the tape, Vincent is disheartened to find it insufficient for prosecution. As the weight of his investigations grows heavier, Vincent is momentarily sidelined, only to later see Davana meet a brutal end at the hands of Marquez, realizing too late that he was set up for an alibi by his partner, Linda.

Timeline


Introduction of Alex Lewis

Alex Lewis, an assassin, is introduced as he grapples with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. His life of crime is complicated by his condition, impacting his ability to execute his assignments effectively.

Mexico

Assignment in El Paso

Alex receives his latest assassination assignment to eliminate Ellis Van Camp, a builder for the Texas Central Processing Facility. This job brings him back to his hometown of El Paso, Texas, where his brother lives in a nursing home suffering from severe Alzheimer's.

El Paso, Texas

FBI Deep Undercover

Meanwhile, FBI agent Vincent Serra is undercover in El Paso, targeting 'Papa Leon,' a notorious sex trafficker. In a high-stakes sting operation, Vincent bravely confronts the criminal, successfully rescuing his daughter, Beatriz, from a dangerous situation.

El Paso, Texas

Alex's Uncovering of His Next Target

After successfully killing Ellis Van Camp and stealing a flash drive, Alex discovers that his next target is Beatriz. Guided by his moral code, he refuses to kill her, which sets off a chain of tragic events.

The Death of Beatriz

In a desperate bid to save Beatriz, Alex confronts Davana’s attorney, demanding the contract on her life be canceled. Unfortunately, his efforts are in vain as Beatriz falls victim to another assassin, Mauricio.

Alex's Violent Confrontation

After a one-night stand, Alex wakes up to the shocking news of Beatriz's tragic death. Knowing he is now in danger, he instructs his companion Maya to stay safe, but tragedy strikes when Mauricio confronts him in the parking garage, resulting in Maya's death as she attempts to help.

Parking Garage

Retreat to the Bakery

In search of clarity and answers, Alex retreats to a former bakery owned by his father. Here, he discovers disturbing footage involving Davana’s son, Randy, which deepens his resolve for revenge.

Bakery

The Yacht Party

In a bid to cover up recent events, Davana's son Randy throws a lavish party on his yacht. Simultaneously, the FBI connects the murders and zero in on Randy's role in the crimes, setting the stage for a confrontation.

Yacht

FBI Storms the Yacht

As the FBI storms the yacht party, Alex takes action to eliminate Randy before he can be taken in. Despite being shot, he manages a narrow escape, further complicating the ongoing investigation.

Yacht

Capture by Davana's Henchmen

After recuperating at the bakery, Alex attempts to confront Davana but is captured by her henchmen when he forgets to reload his gun. This moment highlights Alex's deteriorating mental state due to Alzheimer's.

Davana's penthouse

Evidence Sent to the FBI

Despite being in police custody, Alex manages to send critical evidence— the flash drive containing crucial information— to Vincent and his team. However, he struggles to articulate its significance due to his memory loss.

Police Station

Davana's Doctor's Betrayal

Davana manipulates her doctor into eliminating Alex, illustrating the extent of her power and influence. In a chaotic twist, Alex manages to subdue the doctor, escaping as law enforcement mistakes the situation for a hostage crisis.

Alex's Last Revelation

Before succumbing to his injuries, Alex cryptically informs Vincent that Davana meant 'to bury this,' emphasizing the importance of buried evidence related to the case. His last words highlight the urgency of addressing the hidden facts.

Vincent's Discovery

Vincent discovers the tape of Davana’s threats towards Ellis, hoping it provides sufficient evidence to bring her down. However, he's crushed to learn that the recording is inadequate for prosecution due to its ambiguous content.

Davana's Downfall

As the investigation progresses, Vincent realizes that he has been set up for an alibi by his partner, Linda. The weight of betrayal culminates in Davana's brutal demise at the hands of Detective Marquez, laying bare the web of deceit.

Characters


Alex Lewis (Liam Neeson)

A skilled assassin struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, Alex's mental state affects his decisions throughout the film. His moral compass is strongly defined by a code that prohibits the harm of children, and he seeks to protect Beatriz despite his conflicting assignments. The disease not only jeopardizes his life but also alters his grasp on reality.

🧠 Memory 💔 Tragedy 🗡️ Assassin

Vincent Serra (Guy Pearce)

An undercover FBI agent determined to dismantle a sex trafficking network in El Paso. Vincent's keen investigative skills are crucial as he navigates the dangers of his job. His interactions with Alex reveal a deeper connection to the stakes at hand, especially as they both confront personal demons within the chaos of crime.

🕵️‍♂️ Justice 🔍 Investigation ⚖️ Ethics

Davana Sealman (Monica Bellucci)

The manipulative antagonist orchestrating crime in the shadows. Davana's character embodies the dark side of power and control, often using her influence to exploit others for her gain. Her complex relationship with her son and the lengths she goes to protect her interests showcase an unpredictable nature.

💼 Power 🚨 Deception 🔥 Conflict

Maya (Stella Stocker)

Alex's companion whose tragic fate illustrates the collateral damage in a violent world. Her loyalty to Alex shows her close emotional bond, and her untimely death serves as a catalyst for Alex's further descent into chaos. Maya's character emphasizes the theme of loss within intimate relationships.

💔 Loss 🥀 Tragedy 💞 Loyalty

Setting


Time period

The movie, while not tied to a specific historical period, reflects contemporary issues such as organized crime and the impacts of mental health challenges like Alzheimer's disease.

Location

El Paso, Texas, Mexico

El Paso is a city located in the westernmost corner of Texas, known for its rich cultural heritage and strong Mexican influence. As the hometown of the protagonist, Alex Lewis, it serves as a significant backdrop, especially given its emotional ties to his brother who resides in a nursing home due to Alzheimer's.

🗺️ Location 🏙️ City

Themes


💔

Loss

Loss permeates the narrative, affecting both the protagonist and his close connections. Alex grapples with the loss of memory due to Alzheimer's, alongside the tragic fate of Beatriz and the death of his companion, Maya. These moments highlight the profound impact of loss on individuals and their relationships.

🕵️‍♂️

Justice

The quest for justice unfolds through Vincent's investigation into the sex trafficking ring and Alex's moral code regarding his hits. Despite their flaws, both characters strive to rectify the wrongs inflicted upon the vulnerable, illustrating the complex nature of justice in a corrupt environment.

🧠

Memory

Memory plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their actions, particularly for Alex as he contends with Alzheimer's disease. His deteriorating memory complicates his ability to make decisions, leading to dire consequences and highlights the fragility of human recollection in the face of violent circumstances.

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