Assault on Wall Street

In the throes of the 2008 financial crisis, Jeremy Stancroft (John Heard), a portfolio manager, makes a morally questionable decision, directing his subordinates to prioritize company profits over the welfare of their clients. Meanwhile, Jim Baxford (Dominic Purcell), a former soldier turned armored car driver, struggles to support his wife, Rosie (Erin Karpluk), as she battles the aftermath of a life-threatening brain tumor in New York City. With their health insurance exhausted, Jim confronts mounting challenges in affording her ongoing treatment.

In a desperate bid to secure funds, Jim attempts to cash out his military pension, only to discover that it has been largely depleted due to reckless investment choices made by his financial adviser, Sean (Edward Furlong). To complicate matters further, Jim finds himself entangled in a staggering $60,000 lawsuit stemming from questionable real estate speculations orchestrated by Sean. During lunches with fellow colleagues from the armored car sector and acquaintances from the NYPD, Jim strives to gather the necessary funds to hire Mr. Patterson (Eric Roberts), an attorney, to challenge Sean’s misconduct. However, despite his efforts, Mr. Patterson asserts that there is little he can do, and the district attorney proves to be uncooperative.

Frustrated by his deteriorating financial situation and the inability to provide for Rosie’s healthcare needs and their mortgage, Jim’s employer has no choice but to let him go. Overwhelmed by guilt for the strain her illness has placed on Jim, Rosie ultimately succumbs to despair and tragically takes her own life. Consumed by a profound sense of injustice, Jim shifts his focus towards vengeance, acquiring an arsenal of firearms and explosives to target the Wall Street executives he holds responsible for his wife’s death and his ruin.

With steely determination, Jim embarks on a violent crusade, methodically eliminating those who have wronged him. During a casual lunch with friends, he discloses his identity as the so-called “Wall Street murderer,” but they assume he is joking, laughing off his admission. As the film reaches its climax, Jim plans a daring assault on a high-rise office where Jeremy Stancroft resides — the very man whose unscrupulous actions shattered Jim’s life. He orchestrates a diversionary explosion across the street to gain entry and begins his ruthless onslaught, gunning down innocent employees in his wake.

Once he gains access to Jeremy’s office, Jim confronts him about the devastation his greed has caused, holding up a picture of Rosie to emphasize his point. Jeremy, embodying unapologetic capitalism, asserts that the rich have not attained their wealth through honesty, claiming that in society, only the strong survive. In a tense standoff, Jim counts to three as he places the gun on the table, challenging Jeremy about his unscrupulous life choices. Just as he reaches two, Jeremy seizes the opportunity to grab the gun, boasting of his perceived victory. Yet, Jim has played his own trick; Jeremy discovers the weapon is unloaded.

As SWAT teams close in, Jim feigns innocence, having been previously injured by a security guard, leading to an unexpected twist. He is escorted from the scene, seemingly a victim, while Jeremy faces brutal consequences. In the aftermath, as Jim stands in the lobby — now on the verge of escape — he watches the chaos unfold around him. Recognized by one of his NYPD friends, Jim leaves the building under the radar, gazing ahead with a chilling resolve as he contemplates extending his vendetta against the figures of Wall Street who led him to this dark place.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 11:43