American Made

In the late 1970s, Barry Seal, a commercial airline pilot for TWA, is approached by CIA case officer Monty Schafer. Schafer enlists Barry's help to fly covert reconnaissance missions, marking the beginning of Barry's entanglement in espionage and danger.

Barry begins flying reconnaissance missions over Central America using the advanced Piper Smith Aerostar 600. He captures valuable photographic intelligence while facing the constant threat of gunfire from insurgents, which earns him recognition from the CIA.

As Barry's missions evolve, he is recruited to deliver messages between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama. Meanwhile, he receives an offer from the Medellin Cartel to transport cocaine back to the U.S., altering the course of his operations.

Given the protection from the CIA, Barry accepts the Medellin Cartel’s lucrative proposition. This leads to his dual life where he now smuggles cocaine while initially holding onto his role as a CIA operative, blurring the lines of legality.

Barry starts using airdrops in Louisiana, with Mena, Arkansas becoming a crucial center for U.S. cocaine trafficking. The small town transforms due to Barry’s growing operations and the allure of easy profits associated with the drug trade.

Barry's complex operations lead him to run arms for the Nicaraguan Contras under the approval of the Reagan administration. This involvement showcases the blurred lines between political agendas and the burgeoning drug trade impacting the country.

As Barry's drug operations expand, his family life suffers. His brother-in-law JB moves in, bringing tensions that eventually escalate to theft and a tragic culmination in JB's explosive demise, further complicating Barry's already perilous situation.

The significant rise in Barry's activities does not go unnoticed, catching the attention of law enforcement agencies. This forces the CIA to reconsider their relationship with Barry, leading to discussions about abandonment and possible consequences.

Barry negotiates a deal with the White House to gather evidence on drug trafficking, believing this could secure his position and protect him. However, this plan backfires as he becomes a target, identified in crucial photographs by law enforcement.

Despite being sentenced to community service for his involvement in drug smuggling, Barry lives in constant fear. The cartel, seeking revenge for betrayals, intensifies the danger surrounding him, highlighting the fragile nature of his double life.

In a tragic twist, Barry's past catches up with him when he is assassinated by hitmen from the cartel. This stark end to his high-stakes life signifies the perilous risks that come with his actions in the drug trade.

Following Barry's assassination, the CIA cuts all ties to him, ensuring their operations remain clandestine. Monty Schafer, who once relied on Barry, climbs the ranks, showing the agency's ability to distance themselves from scandals.

In the aftermath of Barry's death, Lucy and their children return to Baton Rouge, seeking to rebuild their lives away from the chaos. They navigate their new reality, haunted by memories of their lavish lifestyle and the treachery that surrounded it.