Directed by
Rawson Marshall Thurber
Made by
Universal Pictures
Discover the intricate plot of Red Notice (2021). 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 millennia ago, Marcus Antonius presented Cleopatra with three jeweled eggs as a token of his unwavering devotion. Over the centuries, these treasures faded from memory until a farmer unearthed two of them in 1907, leaving the final egg shrouded in mystery. Fast forward to 2021, where Special Agent John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), a criminal profiler for the FBI, collaborates with Inspector Urvashi Das (Ritu Arya) to probe the theft of one of these priceless eggs on display at the Museo Nazionale Di Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. Hartley uncovers that the displayed egg is a clever forgery, realizing that the genuine artifact has been snatched away.
In a tense moment, as Das secures the exhibition room, international art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) manages to slip away just before the doors lock. This sets off a thrilling pursuit, where Booth skillfully evades Hartley’s grasp. Eventually escaping to his Bali residence, Booth is surprised to find Hartley, Das, and an Interpol strike team waiting for him. He is apprehended, and the egg is confiscated, but the true mastermind, Sarah Black, also known as The Bishop (Gal Gadot), covertly swaps the authentic egg for another forgery during the hustle.
The next day, Das confronts Hartley, suggesting his involvement in the egg’s theft is suspicious, especially after tracing a substantial payment made to him on the same day of the crime. This leads to Hartley’s imprisonment in a remote Russian facility, where he shares a cell with Booth. During their time together, Booth reveals a tantalizing opportunity: an Egyptian billionaire is willing to pay a staggering $300 million for the complete set of three eggs.
Not long after their arrival at the prison, they are brought before Black, who proposes an alliance with Booth to track down the elusive third egg, revealing that she is aware of its hidden location. Booth, however, declines her offer, prompting her to suggest that he will receive a diminished cut should she locate the second egg first. In a twist of fate, Hartley proposes a collaboration with Booth, aiming to capture Black and thus restore his reputation as the premier art thief in the world.
The duo stages an escape from prison and journeys to Valencia, where they intend to secure the second egg from the clutches of notorious arms dealer Sotto Voce (Chris Diamantopoulos), who is hosting an extravagant masquerade ball. At this event, they once again cross paths with Black, who has her own agenda for obtaining the egg. As their caper unfolds, Hartley and Booth navigate a series of challenges, including evading Das, who is also in attendance, intent on capturing them both.
Inside Voce’s vault, a chaotic showdown ensues as the three of them engage in a gripping battle using a variety of weapons on display. Things take a shocking turn when Voce’s security team arrives, and Black betrays her supposed allies, revealing that she had tipped Voce off about their heist plans. While enduring intense torture at the hands of Voce, Black betrays him as well, asserting her new advantage.
Hartley, convinced he must capture Black to vindicate himself, is forced to contemplate the irony of their choices as they race towards Egypt—the alleged resting place of the third egg. Amid the drama, Booth reveals the egg’s true location lies in Argentina, a secret encoded on a cherished watch belonging to his late father. With a shared resolve, they traverse the Argentinian jungles, unveiling a clandestine bunker filled with Nazi memorabilia, including the coveted egg.
Just as they claim victory, Black seemingly swoops in to seize the egg at gunpoint. Their escape is soon compromised by Inspector Das and her local police unit, culminating in a high-speed chase through a treacherous copper mine. The action-packed encounter peaks with a daring leap into a waterfall, where Booth swims ashore clutching the egg—only to discover Hartley and Black share deeper ties, both professionally and personally, each operating under the “Bishop” moniker.
In Cairo, Hartley and Black present the three eggs to their billionaire buyer during a wedding ceremony—echoing the legendary gift originally given to Cleopatra. Yet, the moment is dampened when the bride turns her attention to guest performer Ed Sheeran. Just as they celebrate, an Interpol raid disrupts the festivities, leaving Hartley and Black on edge. Meanwhile, Booth suddenly reappears in the picture, divulging that he tipped off Das about their substantial payout hidden in a Cayman Islands account. With authorities closing in, Booth extends an offer for a new heist that promises to require all three of their unique skills, steering them towards a thrilling escapade at The Louvre in Paris.
Track the key events of Red Notice (2021) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Presentation of the Eggs
Two millennia ago, Marcus Antonius presented Cleopatra with three jeweled eggs to signify his unwavering devotion. This moment marked the beginning of the legendary tale intertwined with art, betrayal, and treasure that would echo through history.
Discovery of Two Eggs
In 1907, a farmer unearthed two of Cleopatra's jeweled eggs, bringing them to light after centuries of obscurity. The final egg, however, remained a mystery, adding intrigue to the lost treasures of the ancient world.
The Egg Theft Investigation
Fast forward to 2021, where Special Agent John Hartley collaborates with Inspector Urvashi Das to investigate the theft of one of the eggs on display at the Museo Nazionale Di Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Their inquiry uncovers that the displayed egg is actually a clever forgery, igniting their pursuit of the true artifact.
The Elusive Thief
As Inspector Das secures the exhibition room, international art thief Nolan Booth manages to slip away moments before the doors lock. His escape sets in motion a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase as Hartley attempts to capture him.
Capturing Booth
Booth is eventually apprehended at his Bali residence by Hartley and an Interpol strike team searching for the stolen egg. Though Booth is caught and the egg is confiscated, it is revealed that the real mastermind, Sarah Black, has secretly swapped the authentic egg during the commotion.
Suspicion and Imprisonment
The next day, Inspector Das confronts Hartley about a suspicious payment made to him the day of the theft. This accusation leads to Hartley’s imprisonment in a remote Russian facility, where he unexpectedly shares a cell with Booth.
The Billionaire's Offer
While in prison, Booth reveals a tantalizing opportunity: an Egyptian billionaire is willing to pay $300 million for the complete set of three eggs. This prospect reignites their ambitions, setting the stage for an unlikely alliance.
Proposal from Sarah Black
Sarah Black approaches Booth with a proposal to work together to locate the elusive third egg. Despite her alluring offer, Booth declines, knowing her past betrayals cast doubt on her intentions.
Escaping to Valencia
In a twist of fate, Hartley proposes a collaboration with Booth to capture Black and restore their reputations. They orchestrate a daring escape from prison and travel to Valencia to secure the second egg from notorious arms dealer Sotto Voce.
The Masquerade Ball Heist
At Voce's extravagant masquerade ball, Hartley and Booth encounter Black, who has her own plans for obtaining the egg. The atmosphere is rife with tension as they navigate their competing agendas amidst the festivities.
Showdown in the Vault
Inside Voce's vault, an explosive battle ensues as Hartley, Booth, and Black clash using an array of weapons. The chaos amplifies when Voce's security team arrives, which leads to unforeseen alliances and betrayals.
The Revelation in Egypt
As the action intensifies, Booth divulges that the location of the third egg is hidden in Argentina, encoded on a watch belonging to his late father. With this new revelation, they set off on a treacherous adventure across the Argentinian jungles.
Finding the Third Egg
In the jungle, they discover a secret bunker filled with Nazi memorabilia, where the coveted third egg is hidden. Just as they claim their prize, the situation escalates as Black attempts to seize the egg at gunpoint.
The High-Speed Chase
The tension peaks with a thrilling escape as Hartley, Booth, and Black are pursued by Inspector Das and her local police unit through a treacherous copper mine. The chase culminates in a daring leap into a waterfall, forcing them to split up to evade capture.
The Final Deal in Cairo
In Cairo, Hartley and Black present the three eggs to their billionaire buyer during a lavish wedding ceremony. Just as the celebration begins, an Interpol raid disrupts the event, leading to unexpected revelations and the promise of a new heist.
Meet the characters that bring Red Notice (2021) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds)
Nolan Booth is a charismatic and witty art thief known for his clever schemes and quick escapes. His charm often disarms those around him, but his self-serving tendencies occasionally lead him into precarious situations. Throughout the film, Booth's complexity unfolds, revealing both his aspirations and vulnerabilities as he navigates alliances for the ultimate prize.
John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson)
John Hartley is a determined FBI special agent embroiled in the world of art theft. His background as a criminal profiler gives him insight into the minds of thieves like Booth. Driven by a desire to reclaim his reputation, Hartley's moral compass constantly battles against the chaos surrounding him, as he wrestles with trust and ambition in his quest for justice.
The Bishop (Gal Gadot)
The Bishop is a cunning and enigmatic art thief whose motives are shrouded in mystery. Her duality as both an ally and adversary keeps the audience guessing about her true intentions. Charismatic yet manipulative, she navigates the treacherous world of heists with adept skill, making her a formidable force in the pursuit of the eggs.
Inspector Urvashi Das (Ritu Arya)
Inspector Urvashi Das is a determined law enforcement officer, focused on apprehending the notorious art thieves. Her role adds an element of tension and challenge, as she relentlessly pursues Hartley and Booth. Das's complicated views on justice and crime highlight the nuances of morality in the face of law and order.
Uncover the settings of Red Notice (2021), 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
2021
Set in the modern era of 2021, the film captures a world steeped in art thievery and international intrigue. The narrative deftly blends contemporary themes of crime and collaboration, emphasizing high-stakes heists in the digital age. The events unfold against a backdrop of globalization and technological advancements that influence both law enforcement efforts and criminal enterprises.
Location
Rome, Bali, Valencia, Egypt, Argentina, Cairo, The Louvre, Paris
The movie takes place across several iconic locations worldwide. Rome is highlighted as the setting for the initial art heist, showcasing its rich historical backdrop. Bali serves as a contrasting tropical escape where thrilling pursuits unfold, while Valencia hosts an extravagant masquerade ball. The journey continues to Egypt and Argentina, both famous for their ancient treasures, culminating in a high-stakes operation at The Louvre in Paris.
Explore the core themes of Red Notice (2021). 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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Greed
Greed is a central theme that drives the characters' motivations throughout the film. The enormous financial rewards tied to the jeweled eggs amplify the tension between the protagonists and antagonists. This insatiable desire for wealth leads to betrayals and shifting alliances, ultimately underpinning the chaotic adventure that ensues.
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Betrayal
Betrayal threads its way through the storyline, testing trust among the main characters. Each twist reveals hidden agendas and unexpected double-crosses, particularly involving The Bishop, whose manipulations create significant tension. The theme emphasizes how deceit impacts friendships and partnerships, shaping the course of their thrilling odyssey.
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Adventure
Adventure captures the essence of the film as the characters embark on a globe-trotting quest to recover the legendary eggs. From daring escapes to intense showdowns, the narrative is filled with high-stakes moments that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The characters' journey reflects their personal growth amid the thrills of art thievery and clever trickery.
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