Triple Frontier 2019
Directed by
J.C. Chandor
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Triple Frontier (2019). 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.
Santiago “Pope” Garcia, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, operates as a private military adviser battling drug crime in Colombia. During his mission, he encounters an informant, Yovanna, played by Adria Arjona, who seeks his assistance in smuggling herself and her brother out in exchange for vital information about the drug lord Lorea, depicted by Reynaldo Gallegos. Yovanna reveals that Lorea is hiding in a safe house deep within the jungle, alongside his substantial cash reserves.
To execute this risky operation, Pope returns to the States to enlist the help of his former Delta Force comrades. He assembles a diverse team that includes Tom “Redfly” Davis, played by Ben Affleck, a savvy Realtor; William “Ironhead” Miller, a motivational speaker brought to life by Charlie Hunnam; his brother Ben Miller, a tough mixed martial arts fighter played by Garrett Hedlund; and Francisco “Catfish” Morales, a skilled ex-pilot enacted by Pedro Pascal. After much persuasion from Pope, the group decides to seize the opportunity to steal the money for their personal gain.
The plan is meticulously crafted to avoid bloodshed. They intend to strike while Lorea’s family attends church. However, upon breaching the safe house, they realize Lorea and the expected riches are conspicuously absent. It dawns on Pope that the cash is ingeniously hidden within the walls of the house. As the crew begins to collect the unexpected treasure, Redfly, driven by greed, insists they push their luck, ignoring the time constraints they face.
Just as they make off with a staggering sum, Lorea surprises them, injuring Ironhead before Pope retaliates, taking down the villain. As Ironhead receives treatment for his wound, they spot approaching guards and, in a frantic flurry, eliminate them before setting the house ablaze and fleeing. They eventually regroup with Yovanna and her brother, now carrying a staggering $250 million, and prepare to escape South America using a private Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter arranged by Ironhead’s old acquaintance.
As they ascend into the sky, doubts rise. Catfish shares his reservations about the chopper’s capacity, especially as they have to navigate over the Andes Mountains. Despite his concerns, Redfly’s obsession with their newfound wealth pressures them onward. Soon, however, their journey takes a dire turn when the helicopter becomes overloaded. The gearbox falters, resulting in a catastrophic descent. In a scramble for survival, Catfish successfully convinces the team to jettison the money to regain control, leading to a crash landing in a remote cocaine farm.
Recovering from the wreck and nursing minor injuries, they attempt to claim the discarded money bag but encounter suspicion from local villagers, mistaking them for members of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Tensions escalate dangerously, with Redfly ultimately forced to resort to lethal measures to secure their prize. To gain the trust of the villagers, Pope and Redfly offer them a portion of the bounty, facilitating a tenuous agreement to continue their risky journey.
As they trek down the mountainside, vengeance strikes when local survivors seek retribution, resulting in a deadly skirmish that claims Redfly’s life. Heartbroken yet determined, Pope urges the crew to honor both Redfly’s sacrifice and their mission. The burden of their actions weighs heavily upon them, leading to a realization of their moral erosion. In an attempt to avoid further bloodshed, they discard much of the cash, keeping only what they can safely carry.
Faced with a final confrontation, they flee with $5 million, but not without a high-octane chase through the village. In the end, they reach the shore, where a lawyer waits to distribute their shares evenly. Guilt-ridden, they unanimously agree to allocate their portions to Redfly’s family. With their paths diverging, Pope sets his sights on Australia to reunite with Yovanna, armed with coordinates leading to the hidden cash left behind in Peru—a reminder of their harrowing journey.
Timeline
Track the key events of Triple Frontier (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Pope's Mission in Colombia
Santiago 'Pope' Garcia is deeply integrated into the fight against drug crime in Colombia as a private military adviser. During his operations, he crosses paths with an informant named Yovanna, who holds critical information about a notorious drug lord, Lorea.
Yovanna's Proposition
Yovanna proposes a risky exchange to Pope: she will provide critical intelligence about Lorea's location if Pope helps her and her brother escape the country. Her knowledge includes the whereabouts of Lorea's hidden cash, a fortune that could change everything for Pope and his team.
Assembling the Team
After learning of the cash's location, Pope returns to the United States to gather a team of former Delta Force comrades. He carefully selects team members with various skills, including Redfly, Ironhead, Ben, and Catfish, each motivated by the prospect of financial gain.
Crafting the Plan
The group meticulously devises a plan to raid Lorea's safe house, intending to do so while Lorea's family is attending church. They strategize to avoid violence while aiming to secure the hidden fortune and extricate Yovanna and her brother safely.
The Safe House Breach
Upon entering the safe house, the team discovers that Lorea and the anticipated cash are absent. They uncover that Lorea’s cash is ingeniously concealed within the very walls of the house, leading to a surprising twist in their operation.
Redfly's Greed
As the team begins to collect the hidden cash, Redfly's greed propels him to push their luck further despite the urgency of the situation. He advocates for taking more risks, ignoring the fact that they are running out of time.
Confrontation with Lorea
Just as the team believes they are in the clear, Lorea makes a surprise return. In the ensuing struggle, Ironhead is injured, leading to a fierce confrontation where Pope takes decisive action against Lorea to protect his team.
Fleeing the Scene
With guards closing in, the team manages to eliminate the threats and set fire to the safe house. They regroup with Yovanna and her brother, securing an astonishing haul of $250 million as they prepare to leave the treacherous terrain behind.
Escaping via Helicopter
The crew boards a private helicopter arranged by Ironhead's contact for their escape. However, worries surface regarding the helicopter's load capacity, especially during their flight over the treacherous Andes Mountains, prompting debates among the crew.
Helicopter Crisis
Overloaded and struggling with mechanical issues, the helicopter's gearbox fails, leading to a catastrophic descent. In a desperate bid for survival, Catfish persuades the team to throw out the money to reduce weight and regain control.
Landing Disaster
The helicopter crash-lands in a coca farm, leaving the team shaken but mostly uninjured. However, they soon find themselves in a precarious situation, as local villagers mistake them for DEA agents, leading to heightened tensions.
Negotiating with Villagers
To ingratiate themselves with the suspicious locals, Pope and Redfly offer a portion of their remaining bounty as a means to gain their trust. This uneasy agreement allows them to continue on their journey but underscores the risks of their choices.
Deadly Skirmish
As the group makes their way down the mountainside, they are confronted by local survivors seeking revenge. In the ensuing chaos, Redfly is tragically killed, adding more sorrow to the mission and weighing heavily on the team's conscience.
Moral Reflection
In the wake of Redfly's death, Pope urges the team to honor his sacrifice while reflecting on the moral decline they have experienced throughout the operation. Together, they decide to discard most of the cash they collected, keeping only what they can carry.
Final Escape and Guilt
During a high-octane chase through the village, the team narrowly escapes with $5 million. They eventually reach the shore where a lawyer awaits to distribute their share, but overcome with guilt, they agree to donate their portions to Redfly's family.
Pope's New Journey
With their paths now diverging, Pope plans to head to Australia, where he hopes to reunite with Yovanna. He carries with him coordinates to hidden cash left in Peru, a solemn reminder of their harrowing adventure together.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Triple Frontier (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Santiago 'Pope' Garcia
Pope is a skilled and determined private military adviser, driven by a strong sense of mission amidst the chaos of drug crime in Colombia. His character is marked by moral complexity, as he navigates the thin line between right and wrong while attempting to secure a future for himself and those he cares about.
Tom 'Redfly' Davis
Redfly is a savvy and ambitious former Delta Force operator, whose greed ultimately leads to tragedy within the crew. He is characterized by his persuasive nature and determination to acquire wealth, showcasing the darker side of camaraderie under pressure.
Yovanna
Yovanna serves as a vital informant and ally to Pope, embodying vulnerability and strength as she navigates her dangerous circumstances. Her actions reveal the stakes involved in their mission, offering insight into the personal sacrifices made in the face of danger.
William 'Ironhead' Miller
Ironhead is portrayed as a strong and level-headed character, bringing both a supportive presence and a sense of determination to the group. His resilience in the face of danger underscores his commitment to the mission and his fellow operatives.
Francisco 'Catfish' Morales
Catfish is a skilled ex-pilot who balances pragmatism with concern for the crew’s safety. His expertise is crucial during their perilous mission, and his skepticism about their decisions highlights the growing tension among team members.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Triple Frontier (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Location
Colombia, Andes Mountains
The movie primarily takes place in Colombia, a country known for its rich culture and history but also notorious for drug trafficking. The Andes Mountains provide a treacherous backdrop for the characters' journey, with their rugged terrain adding to the sense of danger and adventure as the characters navigate through various challenges.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Triple Frontier (2019). 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 plays a central role in the narrative, driving characters to make reckless decisions that complicate their mission. As they encounter unexpected challenges, the allure of wealth becomes a double-edged sword, leading to devastating consequences and questioning their values.
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Survival
The theme of survival is prominent as the characters face various life-threatening situations, from a helicopter crash to confrontations with locals. Their journey showcases the lengths they will go to secure their lives and fortunes, highlighting their struggle against both external threats and internal conflicts.
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Betrayal & Sacrifice
Betrayal emerges as characters face moral dilemmas; their decisions often lead to consequences that endanger their camaraderie. The film also emphasizes sacrifice, particularly through the character of Redfly, whose actions ultimately redefine the meaning of loyalty among the crew.
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