Layer Cake

The story revolves around XXXX, a cocaine distributor in London, portrayed by Daniel Craig, who takes pride in his non-violent approach to the drug trade. Conducting his business with the precision of a legal enterprise, XXXX collaborates closely with his partner and enforcer, Morty, and Gene, an Irish gangster who connects him to the formidable mob boss Jimmy Price. Among his associates is Clarkie, the chemist responsible for preparing the drugs.

As XXXX contemplates retirement from the illicit world he occupies, he is summoned by Jimmy for a pivotal lunch meeting. During this encounter, he is assigned two urgent tasks. The first involves finding Charlie, the drug-addicted daughter of Jimmy’s associate, Eddie. To help locate her, XXXX teams up with two con men, Cody and Tiptoes. Their search leads to the alarming discovery that Charlie appears to have been kidnapped; meanwhile, her boyfriend has been found dead from an overdose, adding pressure to the situation.

The second task requires XXXX to manage the purchase of a substantial shipment of ecstasy from the “Duke,” a small-time criminal recently back from Amsterdam. However, upon meeting the Duke, XXXX is dismayed to learn the steep price he is asking: $5 per pill. Wanting to negotiate a better deal, XXXX leaves without finalizing the transaction. Unbeknownst to him, the Duke’s stash of pills is stolen property from a ruthless group of Serbian criminals who are now after the drugs.

During his pursuit of the Duke, XXXX encounters Sidney, the Duke’s careless nephew, and becomes infatuated with Sidney’s girlfriend, Tammy. As he attempts to offload the pills to Liverpool gangsters Trevor and Shanks, he is informed about the dangers posed by the Serbians who have sent an assassin named Dragan to reclaim the stolen goods. The stakes continue to rise as Trevor and Shanks offer XXXX a lower price per pill, cautioning him about the associated risks.

As XXXX’s quest to find the Duke intensifies, complications multiply. Morty, his associate, finds himself embroiled in conflict with an informant, leading to deadly consequences. In a series of perilous events, it becomes clear that Eddie has more at stake than previously understood. Captured by Eddie Temple, a powerful crime lord, XXXX learns that Charlie is not only his daughter but also a bargaining chip in Eddie’s deal with Jimmy, who, in turn, has been acting as an informant.

Facing betrayal from all sides, XXXX receives a shocking piece of evidence from Eddie: Jimmy’s intent to sell him out to the police in exchange for immunity. With his world collapsing, XXXX assassinates Jimmy using Gene’s gun, but later discovers that his finances have vanished alongside his accountant. A web of deceit unravels as Tammy offers XXXX leads on Sidney’s whereabouts, prompting a confrontation that solidifies his place in the criminal hierarchy.

As plans unfold, XXXX executes a clever maneuver: during a deal meant to sell the illicit pills, he outsmarts Eddie’s crew with the assistance of Trevor and Shanks, orchestrating a fierce robbery to reclaim control. Despite the chaos, XXXX’s ambition to retire remains steadfast, and he steps away from the criminal life, hand-in-hand with Tammy. However, in an unexpected twist, he is shot by the remorseful Sidney, leaving XXXX to bleed out as he reflects on his tumultuous journey into the depths of London’s underworld. The narrative culminates in a chilling exploration of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of ambition within the seedy realm of crime.

Last Updated: May 13, 2025 at 20:31