Mike Howell, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, is just a laid-back stoner living in the quiet town of Liman, West Virginia. He works at a convenience store and dreams of proposing to his long-time girlfriend, Phoebe Larson, during an upcoming trip to Hawaii. However, when panic attacks prevent him from boarding the flight, he begins to doubt why Phoebe remains with him, feeling like he’s an obstacle to her potential success.
Meanwhile, in Langley, Virginia, CIA Agent Victoria Lasseter intercepts a coded message indicating that Mike, the last survivor of her secret "Wiseman" program, is marked for elimination by her rival, Adrian Yates. Since Adrian has taken over the program after Lasseter was dismissed, he claims that Mike's attempts to leave town represent a serious security threat. Driven by a sense of duty, Lasseter rushes to Liman to activate Mike's latent skills through a series of code words. Unfortunately, Mike's confusion leads to her coming away frustrated.
After a fierce encounter with two agents from the "Toughguy" unit, Mike unexpectedly unleashes his hidden capabilities when he fends them off with nothing but a spoon. Shortly after, he calls Phoebe, and together they evade another attack at the sheriff's station. In a chaotic series of events, they find refuge with Mike's drug dealer, Rose, but Mike starts experiencing flashes of military strategy he can’t explain, stirring questions about his past.
As Adrian intensifies his pursuit, putting the town on lockdown, Lasseter realizes she must act swiftly. With new threats rising, including public misinformation that she and Mike are infected with a virus, she seeks aid from her former assistant, Petey, to turn the tide against Yates. Despite societal pressure and treachery, Lasseter refuses to back down.
In a heart-pounding showdown at Rose's house, where lethal gas is used, Mike and Phoebe manage to fight back. However, the revelation that Phoebe was supposed to be Mike's CIA handler floors him, shattering their connection. As Laugher, an agent, captures Phoebe, the tension escalates, leading to an extraordinary rescue by Lasseter, who unveils the truth about Mike's past—his criminal history led to him volunteering for Wiseman, erasing his memories for safety.
As it escalates to full-blown conflict, Mike must confront Yates and negotiate for Phoebe's freedom in a grocery store showdown. Through courage and newfound skills, Mike decisively takes down enemies, ultimately sparing Laugher upon discerning his tragic backstory. In a dramatic climax, Mike proposes to Phoebe amidst the chaos of law enforcement surrounding them.
After a chilling confrontation with Yates, who is ultimately executed for his failures, Lasseter recognizes Mike's extraordinary feats as proof of the Wiseman program's success and potentially valuable assets for the CIA. Six months later, Mike and Phoebe, now confident and happy, find themselves in Manila, completing another mission under the guidance of Lasseter and Petey.
