Mean Guns

Mean Guns

Year: 1997

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: English

Director: Albert Pyun

ThrillerActionCrimeCrime drugs and gangstersViolent action guns and crime

One hundred mid‑ and low‑level gangsters who have angered their boss are dumped into a newly built, high‑security prison. They are armed with abundant guns, ammunition and baseball bats and told that, in a deadly contest, only the final survivor will claim a suitcase containing ten million dollars.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Mean Guns (1997)

Trace every key event in Mean Guns (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Moon launches the deadly tournament

Vincent Moon unveils the prison and gathers 100 killers. He arms them with weapons and gives them six hours to fight to the death. A $10 million prize is hidden in the prison and will be split among the last three survivors, but Moon’s plan is to sweep in and kill everyone when time runs out.

before opening day newly built prison
2

An uneasy alliance forms

Cam teams up with Marcus and D, establishing a tentative plan to navigate the deadly competition. The group is joined by Lou after he briefly detains Marcus at gunpoint and is reluctantly accepted. They intend to survive and claim the prize.

early in the game inside the prison's arena
3

Lou reveals Lucy's fate

Lou discloses he is caring for Lucy, a girl left in a car outside the prison. He joins the alliance to secure a future for her. This revelation adds a personal motive to the brutal game.

early in the game outside the prison / car
4

The public announcement

The four broadcast an announcement over the prison's PA system, claiming they have found the money and challenging others to fight for it. Chaos erupts as the participants clash and many are killed in the melee. Cam slips away to avoid participation.

shortly after the broadcast prison PA area / public address system
5

D is strangled by Lou

D abandons the group but is killed by Lou when their fragile alliance fractures. The turn of events shows Lou's willingness to remove threats by lethal means. The immediate danger within the prison escalates.

during the early melee inside the prison
6

The location of the money is revealed

Moon reveals the actual location of the prize within the prison. Marcus finds two briefcases at the spot and takes them, while a third is left behind, rigged with a bomb. The strategic distribution of loot sets up the final confrontations.

shortly after the location is exposed secret location inside prison
7

Lucy enters the grift

Marcus brings Lucy into the prison to assist in stealing the cash. Barbie discovers the bomb and is killed when it detonates, blowing off the top of her head. The danger of the prize escalates to include innocent bystanders.

during the cash extraction inside the prison
8

Cam uncovers the truth

Cam retrieves the photographs she planned to give to authorities and shows them to Marcus. She realizes the scope of the syndicate's money laundering and the depth of their corruption. This new information strengthens her resolve to expose them.

as the plan unfolds inside the prison
9

Moon's motivation for a sole survivor

Marcus reveals Moon's motive: he brought Marcus into the game hoping Marcus would be the last person standing. This confession reframes the deadly contest as a calculated trap rather than a random brawl. The plan hinges on forcing a final showdown.

midpoint to final prison arena
10

The four-way showdown is set

Moon summons Cam, Lou, Marcus, and himself to a climactic four-way confrontation. Each is given a gun, and Moon keeps one for himself but does not load Lou's gun. The stage is set for a controlled, fatal duel.

climax prison arena
11

The kills unfold

In the tense standoff, Marcus shoots Cam and then Lou, trimming the field. Moon then attempts a quick-draw against Marcus and is killed by Marcus. The delicate balance between the players collapses under the weight of greed and paranoia.

final showdown prison arena
12

The reveal about Lucy

The wounded Lou claims Lucy is his biological daughter, adding an emotional twist to the deaths. Marcus and Lou kill each other, leaving Cam gravely injured but alive. Lucy's fate remains central to the survivors' next moves.

after the shootout prison arena / aftermatch
13

Cam escapes with Lucy and the prize

Cam awakens to Lucy standing over her; Marcus had killed Lou at Lucy's request and only grazed Cam, allowing her to fake death. Cam escapes in Lou's car with Lucy and the prize money, preserving both the girl and the winnings.

ending outside the prison / in Lou's car

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:03

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Mean Guns

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