Directed by
Andrew Loo
Made by
A24
Discover the intricate plot of Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014). 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.
As a young boy, Sonny experienced a tragic loss when he was separated from his mother while being smuggled into the US. He was taken in by the notorious Snakehead Lady, the leader of the smuggling operation, who placed him in a new family, thus becoming brothers with Stephen. Their lives took a dark turn when Stephen mysteriously vanished, only to resurface as a member of the ruthless Green Dragons gang.
In time, Sonny found himself entangled in the gang’s activities, especially when he became infatuated with Tina, the daughter of Teddy, a relative of gang leader Paul. Their budding relationship was abruptly interrupted when rival gang members from the White Tigers attacked, leaving Stephen gravely wounded with eight bullets in his chest. Seeking vengeance, the Dragons retaliated by kidnapping and assassinating a member of the Tigers.
To forge a temporary peace, Paul brought Sonny to Ah Tai, the Tiger’s leader, proposing a new smuggling venture: transporting heroin hidden in mooncakes—a plan which Ah Tai surprisingly accepted. Sonny coordinated a run with Teddy; however, their operation was thwarted when cops raided the Tiger’s territory. In a moment of betrayal, Paul abandoned Ah Tai, leading to Tina’s animosity toward Sonny over Teddy’s imprisonment.
Their tumultuous life continued as Sonny and Stephen demanded protection payments from a car shop owner, only to be met with violence from a Tiger, which led to Stephen reacting with lethal force. Financial desperation drove Stephen to divulge information about their uncle’s hidden fortune, prompting a robbery that resulted in unforeseen horror as their gang captain allowed heinous acts against the victims’ family.
The brothers’ criminal exploits escalated when they confronted a restaurant manager who mistreated a friend, leading to a scandalous violation of gang protocol when Stephen inadvertently harmed an innocent bystander. This incident marked a pivotal turn, as Tina began cutting deals to implicate the Dragons, triggering their wrath.
As tensions grew, Tina’s temporary withdrawal from her case only deepened the chaos, resulting in Paul ultimately orchestrating Stephen’s hit. Before long, Paul vanished, leaving a power vacuum in the gang realm. The narrative reached a fever pitch when the alliances between six Asian gangs shifted, with Dai Lo taking control and ruthlessly eliminating Ah Tai, uniting them under a new drug operation.
In a shocking twist of betrayal, Sonny chose to inform the authorities, dismantling the gang’s operations, which led to the arrest of Dai Lo. His pursuit of vengeance drove him to Hong Kong, but in a tragic turn of fate, he found himself facing his brother, only to be fatally shot by Detective Tang, the very officer Sonny had turned against, marking a heartbreaking end to his tumultuous journey.
Track the key events of Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Sonny's Separation
As a young boy, Sonny faced a tragic moment when he was separated from his mother during a smuggling operation into the US. This loss set the stage for the difficult and dangerous life that awaited him.
Adoption by Snakehead Lady
After being separated from his mother, Sonny was taken in by the notorious Snakehead Lady, who led the smuggling operation. This marked the beginning of a new life for Sonny as he was placed in a family with Stephen, becoming brothers under dire circumstances.
Stephen's Disappearance
Sonny and Stephen's lives took a dark turn when Stephen mysteriously vanished from their lives. Later, he resurfaced as a member of the Green Dragons gang, which deeply affected Sonny's path.
Sonny's Infatuation
Sonny became infatuated with Tina, the daughter of Teddy, a relative of gang leader Paul. This relationship began to blossom but soon faced volatile challenges from the violent world around them.
White Tigers Attack
The peaceful moments were shattered when rival gang members from the White Tigers ruthlessly attacked the Dragons. The altercation left Stephen gravely wounded, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Retaliation Against the White Tigers
In the wake of Stephen's near-fatal injury, the Dragons launched a revenge operation by kidnapping and assassinating a member of the White Tigers. This deepened the ongoing gang war between the two factions.
Heroin Smuggling Proposal
In a move to forge a temporary peace, Paul brought Sonny to meet Ah Tai, the leader of the Tigers, proposing a heroin smuggling venture hidden in mooncakes. Surprisingly, Ah Tai accepted the risky plan, intertwining their fates further.
Cops Raid the Operation
Sonny coordinated an operation with Teddy to execute the heroin smuggling plan. Unfortunately, their efforts were thwarted when the police raided the Tiger's territory, leading to significant consequences for all involved.
Betrayal and Tina's Anger
After the raid, Paul betrayed Ah Tai, leaving him vulnerable, which ignited Tina's animosity towards Sonny after her father Teddy was imprisoned. This betrayal marked a significant turning point in Sonny's relationship with Tina.
Demand for Protection Payments
In an effort to maintain their criminal enterprise, Sonny and Stephen began to extort protection payments from a local car shop owner. This led to violent confrontations with rival gang members when a Tiger responded aggressively.
Robbery and Horrific Consequences
Driven by financial desperation, Stephen revealed information about their uncle's hidden fortune, suggesting a robbery. The plan took a dark turn when their gang captain allowed horrific acts against the victims' family to unfold.
Violation of Gang Protocol
As their criminal activities escalated, Sonny and Stephen confronted a restaurant manager who mistreated a friend. Stephen's impulsive actions during the confrontation led to unintended harm to an innocent bystander, violating gang protocol.
Tina's Alliance for Justice
In the wake of escalating violence, Tina began making deals to implicate the Dragons, which incited their wrath. Her temporary withdrawal started a cascade of events that heightened tensions within the gang.
Paul's Orchestration of Stephen's Hit
As conflicts reached a boiling point, Paul orchestrated a hit on Stephen, leading to significant turmoil within the gang. Paul soon disappeared, creating a power vacuum that left the gang vulnerable to rival factions.
Sonny's Betrayal and Fatal Encounter
In a shocking moment of realization, Sonny informed the authorities about the gang's operations, leading to Dai Lo's arrest. However, in a tragic twist, he was fatally shot by Detective Tang, the very officer he had turned against, marking a heartbreaking conclusion to his journey.
Meet the characters that bring Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Sonny
Sonny is a complex character marked by a tragic past and flawed decisions. As he navigates the dangerous world of gangs, his infatuation with Tina conflicts with his loyalty to his brother Stephen. His journey from innocence to guilt reflects the harsh realities of survival in a criminal environment.
Stephen
Stephen is Sonny's brother, whose descent into the Green Dragons gang defines much of the narrative's conflict. His character embodies the struggles of loyalty and identity as he grapples with the choices that lead to both his success and eventual downfall.
Tina
Tina is a pivotal figure who represents both conflict and connection within the story. Her relationship with Sonny complicates the gang dynamics and her eventual shift against the Dragons highlights the theme of betrayal, ultimately driving the narrative forward.
Paul
Paul is the gang leader whose manipulations shape much of the gang's actions. His character serves as a catalyst for violence and betrayal, as his decisions often leave those around him to navigate the chaos he instigates.
Detective Tang
Detective Tang is the law enforcement figure, embodying the theme of betrayal when Sonny turns against him. His role complicates the narrative, providing a counterpoint to the gang's violent actions and ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation.
Uncover the settings of Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014), 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 exists within contemporary times, reflecting the challenges faced by immigrants and the underbelly of organized crime. The storytelling encapsulates the gritty reality of gang life and the quest for identity amidst chaos.
Location
United States, Hong Kong
The movie primarily takes place in the United States, highlighting the struggles of immigrants in a foreign land. Hong Kong also plays a significant role, representing a backdrop of crime and retribution as the characters navigate their complex relationships and gang rivalries.
Explore the core themes of Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014). 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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Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme as familial loyalty is tested and characters turn against each other. Sonny’s choices lead to tragic consequences, showcasing the high stakes in the world of organized crime, where trust can quickly turn to treachery.
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Loss
From the beginning, loss shapes Sonny's life, starting with his separation from his mother. As the story progresses, the loss of innocent lives and the spiritual toll of violence underscore the characters' struggles in their pursuit of vengeance and belonging.
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Violence
Violence permeates the narrative, highlighting the brutal realities of gang life. The film does not shy away from depicting confrontations and the gruesome consequences of vengeance, as characters grapple with the morality of their actions.
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