Year: 2013
Runtime: 111 min
Language: English
Director: Seth Gordon
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.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Identity Thief (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
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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