Year: 1998
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Hark Tsui
Marcus Ray, a celebrated fashion designer, finds himself embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy when he's suspected of dealing in counterfeit goods. To clear his name, he must evade relentless KGB agents, deceptive CIA operatives, and untrustworthy undercover agents. He soon discovers he's been manipulated and must navigate a complex world of deception and espionage to expose the truth and prove his innocence.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Knock Off (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Russian agents searching underwater for a mysterious cargo uncover a crate; when they open it, baby dolls rise to the surface and detonate, leaving only a few agents and a Hong Kong detective alive.
Downtown, Tommy Hendricks is arranging a fashion show for V-Six Jeans. Marcus Ray, Jean-Claude Van Damme arrives late after inspecting a warehouse of knock-offs, including the exploding dolls, peddled by a Hong Kong gangster named Skinny. Marcus and Tommy then take part in an annual rickshaw race, during which Marcus’ adopted brother and friend Eddie, Rob Schneider, cheats by swapping with a body double. The body double is kidnapped by Russian agents (who are chasing Eddie) and Marcus gives chase. Ultimately, the agents kill the fake Eddie; Tommy accidentally throws a can of food at a plainclothes Hong Kong police officer. The police arrest Marcus and Tommy, but release them without charges.
Back at their office, an executive from V-Six, Karen Lee, claims a shipment of jeans was counterfeit and that Marcus and Tommy are responsible for over $5 million in losses. She agrees to drop the matter if they locate the warehouse that switched the fake jeans and identify who did it. Meanwhile, the Russian bosses eliminate the agents who failed to reclaim the dolls and are tipped off by Skinny that V-Six and a Hong Kong detective are onto them and heading to their warehouse. When Tommy is kidnapped at a restaurant, Marcus follows him and finds him talking to his CIA handlers. He is revealed to be a CIA agent sent to uncover the counterfeiters who used Marcus, “the king of knock-offs,” as his cover.
That night, before they reach the warehouse, a truck bursts out. Marcus climbs on top as it crashes, revealing it to be full of tiny discs. Marcus’ boss, Harry Johansson, determines they are powerful nanobombs hidden inside a Buddha statue. Believing Eddie to be in on it, they go to see him. Eddie fingers Skinny as the counterfeiter; Skinny has discovered the bombs and tried to dump them at sea before the Russians found them. He opens a safe to give proof, but it explodes, killing him. Tommy and Marcus fight their way out of the building, with Tommy obtaining security footage along the way.
Marcus abducts Skinny at his workplace and takes him back to the CIA base in the Buddha. There, the security footage reveals Karen was at the warehouse just before the events. At the office, she handcuffs Tommy and prepares to question him. After Marcus leaves, the Buddha explodes, and Marcus races to the office to rescue Tommy. After a fight, she reveals she is CIA as well, and the three team up. While Marcus changes, the Russians kidnap Karen and Tommy, and Marcus finds a bomb detector in Karen’s belongings. He realizes the jean studs are the nanobombs and checks the shipping manifest. He and the Hong Kong detective race to the cargo ship where Karen and Tommy are being held.
Harry Johansson boards the ship and shoots dead a couple of Russian agents. Tommy is relieved to see Harry, but Harry reveals he is a double agent intent on ransoming companies for not detonating the nanobombs they have secretly planted in manufactured goods worldwide. Marcus and the detective board the ship and fight through the remaining Russians, escaping just before Harry detonates it. Karen plants a handful of nanobombs on Harry’s boat as well, which explodes; they locate the detonator in the water and take it.
Two hours later, Tommy and Marcus talk in a bar. Tommy still has the detonator. In a distant room, Harry, still alive, is planting nanobombs on a toy. Tommy carelessly activates the detonator, destroying the building Harry is in, in the distance.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:38
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
High-energy thrillers where the spy game is a frantic mess of double-crosses.If you liked the frantic energy and convoluted spy plot of Knock Off, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features similar high-octane action thrillers from the same era, where heroes navigate a world of double agents and explosive set pieces. Find more movies with a pulpy, macho vibe and non-stop chase sequences.
The narrative typically follows an ordinary person or specialist thrust into a dangerous conspiracy. They are pursued by multiple factions with shifting allegiances, leading to a series of frantic chases and close calls. The journey is less about meticulous spycraft and more about surviving a chaotic web of betrayal through sheer resilience and action.
These films are grouped by their shared high-intensity, fast-paced execution and a specific brand of post-Cold War espionage anxiety. They prioritize energetic action and a constant state of paranoia over gritty realism, creating a uniquely entertaining and pulpy viewing experience.
An ordinary person must clear their name while unraveling a vast, dangerous plot.Fans of Knock Off, where Marcus Ray is framed and must expose a nanotech plot, will enjoy these movies. This list features thrillers and action films where the main character is an ordinary person forced to uncover a dangerous conspiracy to clear their name. Discover similar stories of high-stakes deception and explosive redemption.
The narrative arc begins with a false accusation that immediately puts the protagonist in grave danger. They are pursued on all sides, forcing them to rely on their wits and latent skills. The journey is one of desperate investigation and survival, leading to a reveal of the true, often global, scale of the threat they've stumbled upon.
These movies share a core narrative structure and emotional throughline: the visceral fear of being wrongly accused and the empowering journey of taking control. They blend the tension of a man-on-the-run thriller with the satisfaction of an underdog uncovering a complex plot.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Knock Off 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 Knock Off is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Knock Off with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Knock Off. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Knock Off that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Knock Off: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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