Peppermint

An unknown woman engages in a fierce struggle with a man inside a vehicle. The confrontation escalates until she decisively pulls the trigger, shooting him in the head, marking the beginning of her quest for vengeance.

Five years before the events of the confrontation, Riley North is portrayed as a banker living in Los Angeles. She battles daily struggles while her husband Chris runs a struggling mechanic shop, highlighting their efforts to build a happy life for their daughter, Carly.

In an attempt to compensate for the absence of friends at Carly's birthday party, Riley and Chris treat their daughter to pizza and a trip to a carnival. Carly's choice of peppermint ice cream becomes a significant detail that connects to the film's title.

As the family returns to their car after the carnival, they are ambushed by gunfire from the men of Diego Garcia, a notorious drug lord. In a brutal onslaught, both Chris and Carly are killed, while Riley miraculously survives despite being wounded.

Despite her injuries, Riley identifies the gunmen responsible for the attack. However, the detectives are hesitant to take action due to the fear of the powerful drug cartel led by Garcia, leading to frustration and a lack of justice.

As Riley prepares for the preliminary hearing, the defense attorney of the shooters attempts to bribe her. He tries to undermine her credibility by pointing to her anti-psychotic medication, exploiting her vulnerability to paint her as an unreliable witness.

Judge Stevens dismisses the case against the assailants due to a lack of evidence, further infuriating Riley. This dismissal grants freedom to her family’s killers, deepening her sense of injustice and loss.

In a fit of anguish, Riley attempts to attack the men who killed her family but is tasered and subsequently confined to a mental institution. Ultimately, she manages to escape, disappearing from the public eye as she plots her revenge.

Five years later, detectives discover the three shooters executed and displayed on a Ferris wheel at the carnival. This striking display indicates that Riley has not only survived but is aggressively enacting her revenge on those who wronged her.

FBI Agent Inman learns that prior to her disappearance, Riley had robbed the bank she used to work for. Following this, Riley emerges from hiding, armed and ready to take down those responsible for her family's murder.

Riley escalates her campaign against those involved in her family's case by killing Judge Stevens with an explosion. This act further solidifies her transformation from victim to a relentless force seeking retribution.

Riley infiltrates one of Diego Garcia’s money laundering operations, eliminating several of his men while taking one alive for interrogation. Her actions catch Diego's attention, as he vows to retaliate against her.

During a confrontation with Diego, Riley hesitates when faced with his young daughter, a painful reminder of her lost child. This moment of humanity leads to her injury as Diego escapes from her grasp.

Detective Carmichael, secretly allied with Diego, betrays Inman by shooting her and informing Diego of Riley's whereabouts. This betrayal complicates the already tense situation, leading to disastrous consequences.

Riley invites both the press and the LAPD to her location as she confronts Diego. In the tumultuous chaos, she faces him, resulting in a confrontation where Diego shoots Carmichael but is ultimately confronted by Riley.