Pusher (2012)

As Tonny prepares for his imminent release from prison, he receives a profound monologue from his cellmate, encouraging him to face his fears and seize control of his life. This advice resonates with Tonny, whose mind is plagued by the significant debt he owes to the Duke, a notorious gangster and, regrettably, his father. With the Duke’s menacing reputation preceding him, Tonny ventures into his father’s garage business, hoping to earn a position and prove his worth. Although hesitant at first, the Duke concedes to offer Tonny a trial, insisting that he must show some degree of competence first.

Eager to win his father’s approval, Tonny makes the rash decision to steal a Ferrari, only to face harsh criticism from the Duke, who roundly rejects his efforts. This incident foreshadows Tonny’s turbulent journey as he grapples with a complicated web of relationships and obligations.

Just as things spiral further, Tonny is taken aback by the news that he has a child with Charlotte, a local woman who has been parenting alone. Faced with this shocking reality, Tonny vows to support them but soon finds his paternal instincts intensifying, putting him at the heart of the matter when he engages in a perilous car heist for the Duke—though it comes at the humiliating cost of being forced to hide in the trunk of the getaway vehicle.

As Tonny’s notoriety as a formidable wheelman spreads, he becomes embroiled in a risky heroin deal masterminded by Kurt the Cunt, a troublesome pimp. When the deal collapses and Milo, a Serbian drug lord, sends his henchmen to collect on the debts, Kurt panics and flushes away his stash, leaving him desperate. To make matters worse, Kurt persuades Tonny to assist in acquiring a firearm and orchestrating a botched robbery, all part of a scheme to fool Kurt’s financial backer into believing he was the victim of a heist.

As Tonny ventures deeper into this murky world, he experiences growing discord with Charlotte, who finds herself neglecting their child for a night out. Meanwhile, Ø, an old friend of Tonny’s, steps in as a voice of reason, sharing news of his own impending marriage and the arrival of his child. However, this timely reminder of responsibility arrives too late, and Tonny remains ensnared by his personal demons.

At Ø’s wedding celebration, the Duke delivers a backhanded toast, praising Ø as if he were his son while disparaging Tonny for his ongoing failures. The evening spirals further out of control for Tonny when he confronts Charlotte, who is caught using cocaine in the kitchen with Gry, Ø’s fiancée. Angered and humiliated, Tonny loses control and chokes Charlotte, only to be pulled back by several guests determined to intervene.

As the chaos of the night subsides, Tonny grapples with the fallout of his actions, meeting up with Kurt outside the club to share their miseries. This latest blow only plunges Tonny deeper into a pit of despair, leaving his grasp on reality increasingly tenuous. With Kurt’s desperation mounting, he pressures Tonny into participating in a destructive spree in his apartment, claiming it’s necessary to maintain their cover story. In exchange for Tonny’s cooperation, Kurt promises to leverage their connection with the ever-powerful Duke. However, when Kurt lashes out violently at a prostitute from his bedroom, Tonny’s patience snaps and he rushes out, horrified by Kurt’s brutality.

Once burdened with these harsh truths, Tonny seeks guidance from his father to rectify the tangled mess he’s found himself in. He volunteers to act as a thug, intending to intimidate Jeanette, the Duke’s ex-wife, as she fights for custody of her half-brother. Initially reluctant, the Duke is eventually swayed to agree with Tonny’s brother Red, who vouches for Tonny’s capabilities following their successful heist. Yet when the Duke instructs Tonny to eliminate Jeanette, Tonny’s moral compass begins to waver. The visit to Jeanette at Kurt’s brothel only showcases his faltering resolve, and he ultimately fails to carry out the hit.

Devastated by this failure, Tonny returns home to face a furious tirade from the Duke, who lashes out at him with unrestrained fury. In a moment of rage, Tonny strikes the Duke down, ultimately killing his father in a fit of violence. This act sends him spiraling into a life of flight from the chaos he has helped create. Seeking refuge with Ø, he unexpectedly confronts Gry and Charlotte, who are wallowing in irresponsible behavior, leaving a baby unattended. Emboldened, Tonny saves the child and boards a bus, escaping the tumultuous life and turmoil behind him. The film closes hauntingly with a lingering shot of the tattoo inked on Tonny’s head, bearing the ominous declaration: “Respect.”

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:11