Lift

Lift

Year: 2024

Runtime: 1 h 44 m

Language: English

Director: F. Gary Gray

Echo Score: 39
ActionComedyCrimeDramaThriller

A charismatic mastermind named Cyrus Whitaker leads a skilled team of thieves in an audacious plan to steal $500 million in gold from a passenger plane flying at 40,000 feet. This high-stakes heist unfolds in a thrilling game of cat and mouse against the backdrop of the skies.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lift 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!

Lift (2024) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Lift (2024), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Cyrus, portrayed by Kevin Hart, is a highly skilled international thief who leads a diverse crew consisting of Denton (played by Vincent D’Onofrio), Camila (depicted by Úrsula Corberó), Mi-Sun (brought to life by Yun Jee Kim), Magnus (masterfully portrayed by Billy Magnussen), and Luke (played by Viveik Kalra). Together, they embark on an audacious plan consisting of two simultaneous heists—one involving the theft of a priceless Van Gogh painting in London and the other a faked kidnapping of the famous NFT artist N8 (played by Jacob Batalon) in Venice.

N8 is in Venice to auction a groundbreaking NFT created using a unique self-portrait mask integrating 482 cameras, which will livestream the auction moment. The team’s scheme to kidnap N8 unexpectedly boosts the NFT’s market value to a staggering $89 million. Having been offered a $27 million cut, N8 is eager to celebrate with the crew. However, their plans take a turn when Abby Gladwell (portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw), an Interpol agent and former lover of Cyrus, unearths evidence linking Denton to the heist, leading to his arrest for fraud.

Under pressure, Abby, along with her superior Commander Huxley (played by Sam Worthington), strikes a deal with Cyrus and his team to help apprehend the billionaire Lars Jorgenson (playing by Jean Reno). Jorgenson has ambitious plans to manipulate stock prices through a catastrophic flood in Europe, leveraging a significant payment of $500 million in gold bullion intended for the hacking group Leviathan. With Huxley’s support, the crew is tasked with intercepting the gold shipment, which is scheduled to fly from Heathrow airport to Zurich aboard a commercial airline.

Cyrus, aware of Jorgenson’s ruthlessness, negotiates for Abby to join their team to ensure protective measures against Interpol’s potential fallout. They formulate a daring plan to steal the gold mid-air using a private jet loaned from an art collector named Molsen (Oli Green). The culminating operation requires precise execution: Mi-Sun must jam signals from the airliner while the rest of the crew distracts Jorgenson’s henchmen.

The heist reaches a fever pitch when Jorgenson learns of a traitor within his ranks and hastens the delivery schedule, putting their meticulously crafted plan at risk. As tension escalates, a last-minute dropout occurs when Luke backs out of the heist, but Cyrus and the rest of the crew press on with their high-stakes mission. Packed with excitement and precarious maneuvers, their efforts lead to heart-stopping confrontations, forcing the crew to adapt on-the-fly.

Despite setbacks, they manage to divert the A-380 mid-flight, evade capture, and ultimately land it in the Swiss Alps, all while dealing with the ramifications of Jorgenson’s henchmen trying to reclaim control. As the final confrontation unfolds, hostages are taken, and betrayal looms large. However, Cyrus smartly utilizes N8’s NFT technology to gather incriminating evidence against Jorgenson, leading to his capture as the Carabinieri swoop in.

In an unexpected twist, weeks following the chaotic events, Cyrus reveals to Abby that they successfully swapped the real gold with painted iron bars during the heist. The actual gold was parachuted into a concealed location, unbeknownst to Jorgenson’s crew. With their haul secured and spirits high, Cyrus and Abby look forward to a new beginning, rekindling their relationship amidst their thrilling escapades.

Last Updated: October 24, 2024 at 08:59

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Lift?

Still wondering what the ending of Lift (2024) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, Cyrus and his crew pull off a clever deception. While everyone believed the authorities had confiscated the gold, it was actually hidden away by the team itself. During the chaos of their flight, Magnus secretly dropped the real gold stash out of the plane using parachutes, while Luke remotely secured it. Meanwhile, they had planned to substitute the real gold with fake bars, which Huxley and Interpol believed they had seized. As a result, the authorities ended up with nothing but fakes, and the actual treasure remained safe with Cyrus and his crew.

Afterward, Cyrus and Abby’s relationship blossoms, symbolizing a new beginning beyond their criminal and law enforcement worlds. The film concludes with the crew celebrating their ultimate success, the real gold securely in their hands, and Cyrus and Abby sharing a kiss, signifying that their partnership—romantic and strategic—has finally solidified. The ending underscores the triumph of intelligence and wit over authority and greed, leaving the audience with a sense of victory for the clever criminals.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:01

Unlock the Full Story of Lift

Don't stop at just watching — explore Lift 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 Lift is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Lift Timeline

Track the full timeline of Lift with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Lift Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Lift

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Lift. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Lift

Lift Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Lift? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Lift Ending Explained

More About Lift

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Lift: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Lift

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