Year: 2003
Runtime: 101 min
Language: English
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
A skilled thief, Anthony Fait, finds himself pursued by law enforcement after a risky jewel heist. His situation becomes even more complicated when his daughter is kidnapped by dangerous rivals. To save her, Fait reluctantly joins forces with Su, a resourceful Taiwanese secret agent seeking retribution for past betrayals. They embark on a perilous journey through a criminal underworld, facing numerous challenges as they fight to rescue the innocent and exact revenge.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Cradle 2 the Grave 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As Anthony Fait embarks on a daring heist alongside his team of thieves, their mission to steal precious diamonds for the mysterious Christophe leads them into an intense game of cat-and-mouse with Taiwanese intelligence agent Su. Their fateful encounter starts when Su intercepts Fait’s initial dealings with Christophe, igniting a series of thrilling confrontations between the skilled thief and the resourceful agent.
As the crew accumulates a stash of glittering diamonds, including a rare bag of black gems, Su seizes her opportunity to warn Fait about the impending police pursuit. However, Fait’s impulsiveness takes the lead, causing him to dismiss Su’s urgent warning. Amidst an audacious attempt to escape past a heavily armed SWAT blockade, only Fait, Daria, and Tommy manage to slip away unscathed. Meanwhile, Su captures Miles, managing to recover a portion of the stolen diamonds, but to her disappointment, the precious black gems are still unaccounted for.
In the meantime, Fait’s friend Archie discreetly inspects the black diamonds, while Christophe’s enigmatic employer Ling learns from his assistant Sona that Christophe has suffered a violent attack, and Fait’s crew has made off with the valuable stones. That very night, an unexpected meeting between Fait and Su paves the way for a dramatic showdown. When Ling pressures Fait to return the black diamonds, he adamantly refuses, only to find himself ambushed by Ling’s henchmen. Fortunately, with Su’s timely intervention, Fait narrowly escapes.
As their investigation deepens, Archie reveals to Fait that rival gangsters are on the hunt for the black diamonds at Fait’s workshop. After some soul-searching, Archie admits that he has caved to their demands, putting his safety on the line. The situation takes a darker turn when Ling calls Fait, holding his daughter Vanessa hostage in order to retrieve the valuable gems. Now united in their mission, Fait and Su must work together to not only reclaim the stolen diamonds but also rescue Vanessa, raising the stakes to an all-time high as they venture into Ling’s treacherous world.
Fait’s pursuit leads him to the incarcerated crime lord “Jump” Chambers, where he hopes to gain insights into Archie’s robbery. However, Chambers is uncooperative, compelling Fait to infiltrate his nightclub in search of the diamonds. Unfortunately, this expedition yields nothing but frustration.
While this unfolds, Su and Archie undertake a risky journey to an underground club, intent on tracing the gangsters responsible for Archie’s assault. Faced with the club’s strict no-guest policy, Su reluctantly steps into the club’s brutal fighting ring to prove herself. Amidst the fierce matches, Archie spots their target, identifying him by his distinctive ring. This revelation leads them closer to uncovering that the diamonds are hidden within Chambers’ bubble bath.
On their way back to the nightclub to retrieve the stolen gems, Su and Archie encounter yet another obstacle: Ling’s men, who have already made off with the diamonds. Meanwhile, Vanessa, bound with duct tape, cleverly manages to free herself and obtain a cell phone to contact her father. In a race against her phone’s dwindling battery, she provides crucial clues about her location: an airport hangar.
With the clock ticking, Fait and Su quickly deduce that Vanessa is caught in a high-stakes operation orchestrated by Ling and spring into action. They realize that the upcoming auction features not only the stolen diamonds but also weapons of mass destruction. A careful examination of flight schedules pinpoints their target: a bustling airport set for multiple private landings that evening.
Arriving just in time, Fait and Su plunge into the chaos to rescue Vanessa and thwart Ling’s evil plans. They find themselves in a fierce confrontation, where Fait’s crew battles Ling’s operatives while Su faces her nemesis in a dramatic face-off. In the midst of the turmoil, Su ultimately triumphs, forcing Ling to swallow a synthetic plutonium capsule before dismantling the device lodged in his neck.
With the authorities closing in, Fait makes a solemn vow to abandon his life of crime and begin anew, this time alongside Vanessa.
Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 17:35
Don't stop at just watching — explore Cradle 2 the Grave 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 Cradle 2 the Grave is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Cradle 2 the Grave with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Cradle 2 the Grave 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.
Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Cradle 2 the Grave – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Criminal (2016) Film Overview & Timeline
Captivity (2007) Full Summary & Key Details
Running Scared (2006) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Taken 2 (2012) Film Overview & Timeline
Crank: High Voltage (2009) Detailed Story Recap
Crank (2006) Movie Recap & Themes
Killer Elite (2011) Detailed Story Recap
Stolen (2012) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Safe (2012) Movie Recap & Themes
Crave (2013) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
I Spit on Your Grave 2 (2013) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Chained Heat (1983) Ending Explained & Film Insights
12 Rounds (2009) Complete Plot Breakdown
Taken (2009) Ending Explained & Film Insights