21

Year: 2008

Runtime: 123 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Luketic

Budget: $35M

Drama

A gifted MIT student joins a team of equally talented students, led by an unconventional professor, to conquer Las Vegas blackjack tables using advanced mathematics and subtle communication. As they succeed, the allure of money and a captivating teammate leads one student to gamble everything in a dangerous game of deception against formidable casino security. The stakes become increasingly high as they risk losing everything.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen 21 yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – 21 (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of 21 (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

Main Characters – 21 (2008)

Meet the key characters of 21 (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

Major Themes – 21 (2008)

Explore the central themes of 21 (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:39

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Smart heist movies like 21

Brilliant minds use their skills to orchestrate complex, high-risk operations.If you enjoyed the clever card counting and high-risk strategy in 21, you'll like these movies about brilliant intellectual heists. Discover films featuring masterminds using their wits in high-stakes gambles, complex schemes, and tense operations where brains overcome brawn.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a prodigy or a team of experts recruited for a specialized mission. The story delves into the meticulous planning and training phase, leading to the execution of the plan, which is fraught with unexpected complications and the constant threat of exposure. The climax often hinges on a final, daring maneuver against a powerful adversary.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their focus on cerebral, rather than physical, conflict. They share a vibe of calculated risk, the glamour of high rewards, and the suspense of a complex plan hanging by a thread, appealing to viewers who enjoy strategic puzzles and tense cat-and-mouse games.

Movies about greed and downfall like 21

Characters are seduced by wealth and luxury into a dangerous moral collapse.Fans of 1 will appreciate these gripping thrillers about characters tempted by wealth and glamour. Explore films that depict the seductive power of money, the moral compromises of success, and the inevitable tension and downfall that follow a greed-driven journey.

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Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a character entering a world of opulence and quick rewards. As their success grows, so does their avarice and overconfidence, blinding them to the dangers. The narrative turns when their actions attract formidable opposition, leading to a tense downfall where they risk losing everything they gained, and often more.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a central theme of corruption through wealth. They explore the addictive nature of greed and the inevitable collision between desire and consequence, creating a tense, cautionary tale vibe centered on moral ambiguity and the loss of innocence.

Unlock the Full Story of 21

Don't stop at just watching — explore 21 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what 21 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

21 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of 21, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

21 Timeline

Track the full timeline of 21 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

21 Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of 21 that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About 21

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about 21: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like 21 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.