Burn After Reading

Faced with the threat of a demotion, Osbourne Cox decides to resign from his position as a CIA analyst. This action marks the beginning of his tumultuous journey as he attempts to document his life through writing a memoir.

While Osbourne plans to write about his life, his wife Katie initiates divorce proceedings, revealing her extramarital affair. This move is set in motion as she prepares to take advantage of Osbourne’s vulnerability.

Katie copies sensitive financial documents and Osbourne's rambling thoughts onto a CD, unknowingly jeopardizing national security. Her actions are driven by her attorney's advice, aiming to protect their assets amidst the brewing divorce.

The CD accidentally left at Hardbodies gym is discovered by personal trainer Chad Feldheimer. Chad and his colleague Linda Litzke mistakenly interpret the contents as vital CIA intelligence, believing they have stumbled upon something big.

Chad and Linda concoct a plan to return the CD to Osbourne in exchange for a reward. As Linda’s motivations are driven by her desire for cosmetic surgery, the duo takes a chaotic turn into illegal activities.

After a tense encounter with Osbourne, Chad and Linda's plans unravel. They decide to offer the CD to the Russian embassy, believing it will lead to significant financial rewards.

Convinced they need more information, Linda persuades Chad to break into the Cox home. The duo hopes to access Osbourne’s computer to gather further intelligence, setting off a chain of unfortunate events.

As tensions rise, Katie changes the locks on the home, forcing Osbourne out. He seeks refuge on his sailboat docked in the Chesapeake Bay, illustrating his escalating desperation.

Katie invites Harry Pfarrer, an unfaithful U.S. Marshal, to live with her, complicating the love triangle. Harry, who is also linked to Linda, brings additional chaos into Katie's already tumultuous life.

A confrontation occurs when Harry finds Chad hiding in the Cox residence. In a panic, Harry fatally shoots Chad, intensifying the already spiraled situation into a tragic mishap.

At CIA headquarters, Palmer Smith discovers that Osbourne’s information has inadvertently reached the Russian embassy. This unexpected breach puts the agency in a state of puzzlement over how such an error occurred.

After the shooting incident, Harry argues with Katie and decides to leave. This confrontation draws the attention of a private investigator hired by his wife, adding more layers to the unfolding chaos.

As Harry wrestles with the consequences of his actions, he begins to suspect that Linda might be a spy. Meanwhile, Linda turns to gym manager Ted for help, reflecting the tangled relationships among the characters.

Desperate for money, Osbourne breaks into his own home, mistakenly killing Ted in the process. This tragic mix-up highlights the darkly comedic nature of misunderstandings throughout the narrative.

In a final twist, the CIA reviews the chaotic events and realizes they have gleaned little from the ordeal except painful lessons. Meanwhile, at the Russian embassy, Osbourne’s ramblings are dismissed as irrelevant, closing the loop on a dark comedic tale.