Year: 2002
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English
Directors: Brian Koppelman, David Levien
Four sons of Brooklyn mobsters – Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Seth Green, and Andrew Davoli – find themselves in a Montana town to recover a stolen bag of money. The journey forces them to confront a violent family history and the dangerous secrets that have shaped their lives. Navigating difficult circumstances and facing unforeseen challenges, they must work together to reclaim what was lost and protect their own futures.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Knockaround Guys 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 Knockaround Guys (2002), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As a youthful Matty Demaret, the character finds himself embroiled in a profound moral quandary. His inability to act decisively leads to Teddy, his father’s associate, deeming him unfit for the treacherous world of organized crime. This judgement weighs heavily on him, as he navigates the perilous landscape of his family’s criminal empire.
Fast forward several years, Matty is entrenched in a monotonous routine of dead-end jobs. His reputation, tainted by his notorious father, Benny Chains, prevents him from securing legitimate employment, as fear and respect surrounding his family’s name loom large. Frustrated with his limited role within the family structure, Matty seizes an opportunity to prove his worth when Teddy orchestrates a plan to allow him to conduct a retrieval mission in Spokane.
Matty enlists Johnny Marbles for the task, instructing him to discreetly fly to Spokane, pick up a package, and return without unnecessary stops. However, upon reaching Wibaux, Montana, the presence of law enforcement at the office catches Matty off guard, leading him to abandon the package among the luggage of a departing flight in a moment of panic.
When Johnny returns without the package, claiming it has gone missing, Matty recruits his loyal friends Chris (the rejected son of a mobster) and Taylor to assist in its recovery. The trio’s journey takes them to a local bar, where Taylor aggressively confronts a man who challenges them, showcasing a brutal side that complicates their mission.
Desperate to trace anyone who might be recklessly spending the package’s contents, Matty and Taylor discover two teenage baggage handlers flaunting their new wealth. With Johnny, Chris, and Taylor at his side, they visit the boys’ home, only to be interrupted by the sheriff—one of the boys’ father—who confiscates the money against his deputy’s wishes.
In a tense negotiation with the sheriff, Matty tries to reason with him but finds their efforts in vain, forcing them to withdraw and regroup. Realizing the impasse, Matty turns to Teddy for help, all the while unaware of Teddy’s alarming concerns regarding federal scrutiny into their dealings. A clandestine meeting is arranged at midnight in a warehouse, where tensions threaten to boil over.
Meanwhile, Chris’s anxiety grows, and he urges Johnny to abandon their perilous course, but his pleas are ignored. Finally deciding to heed his instincts, Chris slips away, leaving Johnny in a precarious position. In a twist of fate, Teddy’s enforcers come looking for Johnny, pushing him into a corner, and as he feigns ignorance to protect Chris, he is brutally shot down in a shocking turn of events.
In the chaos that ensues, Matty and Taylor must confront the fallout—facing not only the wrath of Teddy’s men but also the sheriff and his deputy. Just as things spiral out of control, the arrival of the sheriff’s cousin, an informant, sparks an all-out conflict. Seemingly lost, Chris re-emerges, taking out the sheriff’s cousin, igniting further violence that leaves many bleeding on the ground, with only Matty, Taylor, and Teddy remaining.
As the dust settles from this bloody confrontation, it becomes painfully clear that Teddy has been manipulating the situation all along, driven by ulterior motives. In a shocking reveal, Matty confronts Teddy, who admits to stealing from Benny and plotting Matty’s demise once his goal was achieved. With adrenaline pumping, Matty outmaneuvers Teddy, taking control of the situation.
With the truth finally laid bare, Matty and Taylor return the stolen money to Benny, who unexpectedly offers Matty a position within their organization. However, aware of the moral compromises that come with such a life, Matty stands firm in his values, ultimately choosing to walk away from the wicked underworld that nearly cost him everything.
Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 17:42
Don't stop at just watching — explore Knockaround Guys 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 Knockaround Guys is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Knockaround Guys 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 Knockaround Guys. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Knockaround Guys 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.
Knockaround Guys (2002) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Knockaround Guys (2002) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Knockaround Guys (2002) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Knockaround Guys – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Knock Off (1998) Full Movie Breakdown
Tough Guys (1986) Full Movie Breakdown
The Other Guys (2010) Film Overview & Timeline
Stand Up Guys (2012) Story Summary & Characters
Deuces Wild (2001) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Small Engine Repair (2021) Complete Plot Breakdown
A Bag of Hammers (2012) Full Movie Breakdown
The Baytown Outlaws (2013) Complete Plot Breakdown
Four Brothers (2005) Detailed Story Recap
Gang Related (1997) Story Summary & Characters
Bottle Rocket (1996) Film Overview & Timeline
Acts of Violence (2018) Detailed Story Recap
Guns Up (2025) Full Movie Breakdown
Bad Boys (1995) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Reunion (2011) Full Summary & Key Details