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Plot Summary

Identity Thief (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 111 min · English
JustWatch #25,806 1
Directed by
Seth Gordon
Starring
Melissa McCarthy, John Cho, Jason Bateman, Amanda Peet
Budget
$35M

A Florida shopaholic assumes the identity of a Denver man, leaving him scrambling to clear his name and reclaim his life. When the fraud begins to catch up with her, the man sets out on a chaotic road trip to confront the woman and stop her before she ruins everything. He must unravel the situation and prove his innocence while she tries to maintain her elaborate scheme.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Identity Thief
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Identity Thief (2013)

Where can you watch Identity Thief? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Tubi TV, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Identity Thief: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Identity Thief (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Sandy Patterson receives a shocking phone call from a woman who informs him that someone has attempted to steal his identity. She introduces an identity protection service and requests his personal details, unaware that this is just the beginning of his nightmare. As he learns more about the situation, we meet Diana, who is busy printing credit cards using Sandy's money and enjoying a night out at a bar, generously buying drinks for everyone.

Meanwhile, at work, Sandy's boss, Harold Cornish, summons him to discuss the reduction of bonuses, even as Harold himself is set to receive one. Just as Sandy is processing this news, he receives an unexpected call about a salon appointment in Florida, which adds to his confusion. In the parking lot, he and his colleagues, including Daniel Casey, brainstorm ways to start their own firm due to their dissatisfaction with their current boss. Daniel encourages Sandy to join their venture, and he readily agrees.

However, things take a turn when Sandy tries to buy gas, only to have his card declined for insufficient funds. The gas station clerk cuts up his card, prompting Sandy to call the credit card company, who informs him of unauthorized expenses in Florida. This shocking revelation leads to his arrest. Simultaneously, Diana is living it up in Florida, spending freely with Sandy's funds. At the police station, Detective Reilly reveals that Sandy missed a court date for an assault he didn’t commit, and they show him Diana’s mug shot, confirming she’s the identity thief. The situation only worsens at work; when Daniel, now Sandy's boss, relays that police are investigating him regarding drug possession.

Realizing he needs to act fast, Sandy informs the authorities that he knows where to find the identity thief, offering to bring her to Denver to clear his name in exchange for dropping any charges against her. Despite his wife Trish's concern about the risks he is taking, Sandy assures her he can handle it. He travels to Florida, locating Diana at the salon and confronting her. She manages to steal his rental car during their encounter, but Sandy cleverly tracks her down to her residence filled with stolen goods and credit cards.

Their interactions quickly escalate into a desperate scuffle, but they are interrupted when two individuals, Marisol and Julian, come looking for Diana over some failed transactions with a man named Paolo. While Sandy and Diana evade this danger, he expresses his plan to restore his name, and she reluctantly agrees to help him.

As they venture onward, a bounty hunter known as Skiptracer is hot on their trail, offering a significant reward for Diana's capture. On their road trip back to Denver, they face numerous hurdles, including the realization that their identities may raise eyebrows at the airport. After a series of unfortunate events—they end up with a broken-down van and an encounter with snakes in the wilderness—they find themselves stranded at a bus station with no way back for several days.

In a clever turn, they decide to take advantage of their situation by stealing Harold Cornish's identity to create new credit cards for themselves. As they begin this reckless endeavor, Skiptracer is close behind, desperate for answers, which leads to further chaos.

Eventually, they reach a hotel in St. Louis where the night takes an emotional twist; Diana reveals her fractured past, sharing how she lost her own identity amid childhood neglect, leaving her feeling invisible. This heartfelt moment is cut short when they are suddenly arrested. During the chaos that follows, they find themselves intertwined with the likes of Marisol and Julian, who are revealed to have darker motives.

In a thrilling climax, Diana manages to escape from police custody, and together with Sandy, they navigate their way out of trouble. After a series of trials and a surprising escape from Skiptracer, they return home, where they are warmly welcomed by Trish and their children.

However, the next day brings unexpected news: Diana leaves a note indicating she will turn herself in, leading to a poignant parting between the two. Sandy learns through Detective Reilly that he is no longer involved in the case, and as Diana is taken away in cuffs, she expresses her decision to take responsibility for her actions.

Flash forward a year later, Sandy is celebrating his birthday with his family, introducing his newborn while visiting Diana in prison. They share a lighthearted exchange when he reveals her true name, Dawn Budgie, resulting in laughter amidst the complexities of their past. Their reunion is abruptly interrupted, showcasing Diana's resilient spirit as she’s faced with a guard who underestimates her, leading to yet another dramatic turn in her tumultuous journey.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:32

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Plot questions answered

Identity Thief Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Identity Thief (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Sandy agree to bring Diana to Denver himself?

Sandy makes a deal with the authorities: he will bring Diana to Denver to clear his name in exchange for the charges against him being dropped. After discovering Diana is the identity thief and learning he was arrested for an assault he didn't commit, Sandy realizes he needs to take matters into his own hands to prove his innocence.

  • deal with police
  • clear name
  • bring thief to denver
Q2

Why does Diana agree to help Sandy after he confronts her?

After Sandy tracks her down to her residence filled with stolen goods, two dangerous people, Marisol and Julian, come looking for Diana over unpaid debts to a man named Paolo. During the chaos of evading this danger, Sandy expresses his plan to restore his name, and Diana reluctantly agrees to accompany him back to Denver.

  • road trip
  • partnership
  • diana helps sandy
Q3

What is Diana's motivation for stealing identities?

At a hotel in St. Louis, Diana reveals her tragic past to Sandy: she lost her own identity amid childhood neglect, leaving her feeling invisible. This emotional backstory explains why she adopts other people's identities, she's been searching for a sense of self and belonging she never had.

  • identity theft motivation
  • childhood neglect
  • diana backstory
Q4

Why is Sandy arrested if he didn't commit any crime?

Sandy is arrested because someone using his identity committed assault and missed a court date. The police show him Diana's mug shot at the station, confirming she's the identity thief responsible for the crimes committed in his name. The fraudulent activities have created a legal nightmare that traces back to him.

  • false arrest
  • assault charge
  • missed court date
Q5

Why is the bounty hunter Skiptracer after Diana?

Skiptracer is a bounty hunter who is specifically hired to capture Diana, offering a significant reward for her capture. He pursues her throughout her road trip with Sandy, adding another layer of danger and urgency to their journey back to Denver.

  • bounty hunter
  • skiptracer
  • reward for capture
Q6

Why do Sandy and Diana steal Harold Cornish's identity?

After their van breaks down and they get stranded at a bus station with no way back to Denver for several days, Sandy and Diana resort to desperate measures. They steal Harold Cornish's identity, Sandy's boss, to create new credit cards and fund their journey, showing how their situation pushes them further into criminal behavior.

  • harold cornish
  • stolen identity
  • credit card fraud
Q7

Why does Diana turn herself in at the end?

After everything they've been through together, Diana leaves a note for Sandy indicating she will turn herself in. She decides to take responsibility for her actions, choosing to face the legal consequences rather than continue running. This decision marks her character arc from a selfish identity thief to someone willing to accept accountability.

  • takes responsibility
  • confesses
  • faces consequences
Q8

Who are Marisol and Julian and why are they looking for Diana?

Marisol and Julian are two individuals who come looking for Diana at her residence. They approach her regarding some failed transactions with a man named Paolo, suggesting Diana owes them money or has some kind of criminal entanglement with Paolo. Their appearance creates an immediate threat that forces Sandy and Diana to flee together.

  • marisol
  • julian
  • paolo
  • debt
Q9

Why does Sandy's credit card get declined at the gas station?

Sandy's credit card is declined because Diana has been using his financial information to make unauthorized purchases in Florida. The gas station clerk cuts up his card after the declined transaction, and when Sandy calls the credit card company, he learns about the extensive fraudulent expenses charged to his account.

  • card declined
  • insufficient funds
  • unauthorized charges
Q10

How does Sandy find Diana in Florida?

Sandy travels to Florida and locates Diana at a salon. During their confrontation, she manages to steal his rental car, but Sandy cleverly tracks her down to her residence, where he discovers a home filled with stolen goods and credit cards, proof of her identity theft operation.

  • find diana
  • florida
  • salon
  • tracking down
Q11

Why does Diana escape from police custody?

In the climax of the movie, Diana manages to escape from police custody. She escapes so she can continue helping Sandy navigate their way out of trouble and ultimately return home to his family. The escape adds to the chaotic final act before her ultimate decision to turn herself in.

  • escape custody
  • police chase
  • final escape
Q12

What is Sandy's wife Trish's reaction to his plan?

Sandy's wife Trish is concerned about the risks he is taking when he decides to travel to Florida to confront Diana and bring her back to Denver. Despite her concerns, Sandy assures her he can handle the situation, showing the strain his identity theft ordeal puts on his marriage.

  • trish
  • wife
  • concern
  • family

Movie threads

More Movies Like Identity Thief, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Identity Thief tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Odd-Couple Road Trip Movies like Identity Thief

Mismatched partners forced on a journey filled with comedic chaos and personal growth. Find more movies like Identity Thief where mismatched characters embark on a chaotic journey. If you enjoyed the comedic tension and unexpected friendship on the road, you'll love these similar adventure comedies and crime capers featuring quirky duos.

  • road trip
  • unlikely duo
  • chaotic
  • quirky
  • action-packed
  • touching
  • Tone: light, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a linear journey where two characters with opposing personalities are forced to travel together, often fleeing a pursuit. The road trip structure provides a series of escalating comedic and action-oriented obstacles that force the pair to rely on each other, leading to a shift from hostility to a grudging respect or even friendship.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the transformative power of a shared journey between opposites. The core appeal is the blend of fast-paced, humorous situations with a meaningful emotional arc, where the destination is less important than the connection formed along the way.

Lighthearted Crime Capers and Comedies like Identity Thief

Criminal schemes that are more comedic than cruel, leading to unexpected redemption. Discover more comedy crime movies similar to Identity Thief. These films feature bumbling criminals, elaborate schemes, and a light tone where the crime leads to personal change and a bittersweet but hopeful ending, perfect for fans of redemptive stories.

  • lighthearted
  • crime caper
  • redemption
  • quirky
  • touching
  • found family
  • Tone: light, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around a fraudulent scheme that initially creates conflict, but the criminal's motivations are often revealed to be sympathetic. The story balances the thrill of the con with comedic mishaps, building towards a resolution where the antagonist finds redemption and the protagonist gains a new perspective, often resulting in a bittersweet but satisfying ending.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their unique blend of crime and comedy with an emotional core. They offer the fun of a caper without the darkness, prioritizing character connection and personal transformation over the success of the criminal enterprise itself.

If you liked this

Movies Like Identity Thief

Similar movies to Identity Thief: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Identity Thief (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Identity Thief in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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