Year: 2006
Runtime: 134 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Mann
Budget: $135M
Set in the vibrant and dangerous landscape of 1980s Miami, two undercover detectives, Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, navigate the city's criminal underworld. They confront ruthless drug traffickers and become immersed in a world of murder, where the lines between right and wrong blur. As they pursue justice, their personal lives become increasingly complicated by loyalty, desire, and the constant threat of betrayal.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Miami Vice (2006), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
While conducting an undercover sting operation to apprehend a pimp named Neptune, Miami-Dade Police detectives James “Sonny” Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) receive a desperate call from their former informant, Alonzo Stevens (John Hawkes). Stevens, fearing for the safety of his wife Leonetta, discloses that he intends to flee town. Crockett learns that Stevens had been working with the FBI but has had his cover blown. Swiftly, they alert FBI Special Agent John Fujima (Ciarán Hinds) about Stevens’ predicament. Utilizing a vehicle tracker and aerial surveillance, they manage to intercept Stevens on I-95, where he reveals that the Colombian cartel was aware of the FBI’s involvement from the onset and has threatened Leonetta’s life with a C-4 necklace bomb if he fails to confess. Rico assures Alonzo that he is not obligated to return home, but the weight of despair proves too much for Stevens, who tragically takes his own life by stepping into the path of an oncoming semi-truck.
As they hurry to the murder scene, a call from Lt. Castillo (Barry Shabaka Henley) instructs them to steer clear and to meet him downtown instead. Here, they are introduced to John Fujima, who heads the Florida Joint Inter-Agency Task Force composed of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI. An irate Crockett and Tubbs confront Fujima about the missteps leading to Stevens’ death, questioning why Miami’s police were not involved. Fujima explains that the Colombian operation is highly sophisticated, led by Jose Yero (John Ortiz), who was initially believed to be the group’s chief. Consequently, Fujima enlists the detectives as deputies in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force to further investigate the cartel’s go-fast boats trafficking narcotics from the Caribbean.
Disguised as drug smugglers using the aliases “Sonny Burnett” and “Rico Cooper,” Crockett and Tubbs approach Yero, only to discover that he actually serves as the cartel’s security and intelligence officer. Following a tense meeting, they are introduced to Archangel De Jesus Montoya (Luis Tosar), the notorious kingpin of drug distribution in South Florida. During their investigation, they uncover that the cartel is collaborating with the Aryan Brotherhood to distribute drugs and is equipping them with advanced weaponry. As Crockett becomes increasingly drawn to Montoya’s financial advisor and lover, Isabella (Li Gong), he embarks on a secret romantic entanglement which alarms Tubbs, who worries that his partner is becoming too deeply entrenched in his undercover persona.
The situation escalates when Trudy (Naomie Harris), the unit’s intelligence operator, is kidnapped by the Aryan Brotherhood and threatened with a bomb, mirroring the danger Leonetta faced unless the drugs they were transporting are given directly to the gang. With assistance from Lt. Castillo, they manage to triangulate Trudy’s location at a mobile home in a trailer park, leading to a rescue operation. However, tragedy strikes when Tubbs fails to clear her from danger in time, resulting in a bomb explosion that leaves Trudy critically injured. Soon after, Crockett and Tubbs confront Montoya, Yero, and the Aryan gang at the Miami port in a fierce showdown.
Following the chaos, Crockett calls for backup, and when Isabella spots his police badge, the realization hits her that he’s working undercover. In a state of betrayal, she demands the truth from him. After the confrontation, Crockett must inform Isabella that she must leave the country, sending her back to Cuba for her safety. As she departs on a boat, they exchange a lingering look that speaks volumes. Meanwhile, Tubbs stays at the hospital, holding Trudy’s hand as she begins to regain consciousness from her coma, while Isabella weeps on her boat, and Crockett heads into the hospital to be by Trudy’s side.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 01:59
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.
Stories of agents whose identities blur as they infiltrate dangerous criminal worlds.If you liked the high-stakes infiltration and blurred loyalties in Miami Vice, explore these movies like it. This collection features tense crime thrillers and dramas where deep-cover agents risk everything, facing moral ambiguity and the threat of being consumed by the world they're trying to bring down.
Narratives in this thread follow agents on a dangerous assignment that pushes them beyond standard police work. The central conflict often becomes internal, as the protagonist must navigate their own shifting identity, allegiances, and desires while maintaining their cover under extreme pressure, leading to significant personal cost.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the psychological toll of deep-cover operations. They share a tense, gritty tone, high emotional stakes, and explore themes of identity, loyalty, and the often-bittersweet price of justice.
Visually striking crime tales where style and substance collide with tragic consequences.For viewers who enjoyed the slick, atmospheric style and high-octane action of Miami Vice, this list highlights similar movies. Discover films that blend a fast-paced crime narrative with a distinct visual flair, creating a immersive and intense experience in dangerous, glamorous underworlds.
These stories often unfold in a world that is both alluring and treacherous. The narrative is propelled by a fast pace, combining explosive action with complex character relationships set against a backdrop of organized crime. The endings are frequently bittersweet, reflecting the high cost of operating in such a dangerous and seductive environment.
These movies are united by their fusion of a fast-paced, high-intensity crime plot with a polished, atmospheric visual style. They create a specific vibe that is tense, cool, and ultimately tragic, appealing to viewers seeking a visceral and stylish cinematic experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Miami Vice 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 Miami Vice is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Miami Vice 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 Miami Vice. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Miami Vice: 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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