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Plot Summary

Red Notice (2021) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 118 min · English
Echo score 49
JustWatch #30,498 1
Directed by
Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Bobby Blish, Bradford Norris, Brandon Parker
Budget
$200M

A renowned art thief and Interpol’s top profiler find themselves reluctantly teaming up to track down the world’s most wanted criminal, known only as "The Bishop." As they navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Hartley and Booth must forge an uneasy partnership, facing thrilling heists and unexpected twists in their pursuit of the elusive mastermind.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 How it ends
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Red Notice
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Red Notice (2021)

Where can you watch Red Notice? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Red Notice: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Red Notice (2021) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Two millennia ago, Marcus Antonius presented Cleopatra with three jeweled eggs as a token of his unwavering devotion. Over the centuries, these treasures faded from memory until a farmer unearthed two of them in 1907, leaving the final egg shrouded in mystery. Fast forward to 2021, where Special Agent John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), a criminal profiler for the FBI, collaborates with Inspector Urvashi Das (Ritu Arya) to probe the theft of one of these priceless eggs on display at the Museo Nazionale Di Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Hartley uncovers that the displayed egg is a clever forgery, realizing that the genuine artifact has been snatched away.

In a tense moment, as Das secures the exhibition room, international art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) manages to slip away just before the doors lock. This sets off a thrilling pursuit, where Booth skillfully evades Hartley’s grasp. Eventually escaping to his Bali residence, Booth is surprised to find Hartley, Das, and an Interpol strike team waiting for him. He is apprehended, and the egg is confiscated, but the true mastermind, Sarah Black, also known as The Bishop (Gal Gadot), covertly swaps the authentic egg for another forgery during the hustle.

The next day, Das confronts Hartley, suggesting his involvement in the egg's theft is suspicious, especially after tracing a substantial payment made to him on the same day of the crime. This leads to Hartley’s imprisonment in a remote Russian facility, where he shares a cell with Booth. During their time together, Booth reveals a tantalizing opportunity: an Egyptian billionaire is willing to pay a staggering $300 million for the complete set of three eggs.

Not long after their arrival at the prison, they are brought before Black, who proposes an alliance with Booth to track down the elusive third egg, revealing that she is aware of its hidden location. Booth, however, declines her offer, prompting her to suggest that he will receive a diminished cut should she locate the second egg first. In a twist of fate, Hartley proposes a collaboration with Booth, aiming to capture Black and thus restore his reputation as the premier art thief in the world.

The duo stages an escape from prison and journeys to Valencia, where they intend to secure the second egg from the clutches of notorious arms dealer Sotto Voce (Chris Diamantopoulos), who is hosting an extravagant masquerade ball. At this event, they once again cross paths with Black, who has her own agenda for obtaining the egg. As their caper unfolds, Hartley and Booth navigate a series of challenges, including evading Das, who is also in attendance, intent on capturing them both.

Inside Voce's vault, a chaotic showdown ensues as the three of them engage in a gripping battle using a variety of weapons on display. Things take a shocking turn when Voce’s security team arrives, and Black betrays her supposed allies, revealing that she had tipped Voce off about their heist plans. While enduring intense torture at the hands of Voce, Black betrays him as well, asserting her new advantage.

Hartley, convinced he must capture Black to vindicate himself, is forced to contemplate the irony of their choices as they race towards Egypt—the alleged resting place of the third egg. Amid the drama, Booth reveals the egg’s true location lies in Argentina, a secret encoded on a cherished watch belonging to his late father. With a shared resolve, they traverse the Argentinian jungles, unveiling a clandestine bunker filled with Nazi memorabilia, including the coveted egg.

Just as they claim victory, Black seemingly swoops in to seize the egg at gunpoint. Their escape is soon compromised by Inspector Das and her local police unit, culminating in a high-speed chase through a treacherous copper mine. The action-packed encounter peaks with a daring leap into a waterfall, where Booth swims ashore clutching the egg—only to discover Hartley and Black share deeper ties, both professionally and personally, each operating under the "Bishop" moniker.

In Cairo, Hartley and Black present the three eggs to their billionaire buyer during a wedding ceremony—echoing the legendary gift originally given to Cleopatra. Yet, the moment is dampened when the bride turns her attention to guest performer Ed Sheeran. Just as they celebrate, an Interpol raid disrupts the festivities, leaving Hartley and Black on edge. Meanwhile, Booth suddenly reappears in the picture, divulging that he tipped off Das about their substantial payout hidden in a Cayman Islands account. With authorities closing in, Booth extends an offer for a new heist that promises to require all three of their unique skills, steering them towards a thrilling escapade at The Louvre in Paris.

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:30

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Plot questions answered

Red Notice Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Red Notice (2021): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does John Hartley agree to work with Nolan Booth after catching him?

Hartley proposes the collaboration because he needs Booth's help to clear his name. After being framed for the egg theft and imprisoned in Russia, Hartley realizes he cannot capture Sarah Black alone. He needs Booth's expertise as a master thief to track down the remaining eggs, catch Black, and restore his reputation as the world's greatest art thief.

Foreshadowing: Hartley's criminal profiler background and his knowledge of art theft methods hint at his true skills.

  • john hartley
  • nolan booth
  • collaboration
  • prison alliance
  • clear name
Q2

How does Sarah Black steal the egg during the Bali arrest?

While Hartley, Das, and the Interpol team apprehend Booth at his Bali residence, Sarah Black covertly substitutes the authentic egg with a forgery during the chaos. She uses the distraction of the arrest to make the swap, allowing her to walk away with the real egg while authorities believe they have recovered the stolen artifact.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that Black is the true mastermind known as 'The Bishop',' capable of elaborate schemes.

  • sarah black
  • egg swap
  • bali
  • forgery
  • the bishop
Q3

What makes the three Cleopatra eggs so valuable?

The three jeweled eggs were originally gifted by Marcus Antonius to Cleopatra around 30 BC as a symbol of his devotion. Over two millennia, they became legendary treasures worth hundreds of millions. An Egyptian billionaire offers $300 million for the complete set, making them the most valuable artifacts in the criminal world.

Foreshadowing: The historical prologue establishes the eggs as priceless ancient treasures with romantic origins.

  • cleopatra eggs
  • treasure
  • antiquity
  • value
  • history
Q4

Why does Inspector Das arrest Hartley in Russia?

Das arrests Hartley because she traces a substantial payment made to him on the same day the egg was stolen from the museum. This evidence suggests Hartley orchestrated the theft himself, leading to his imprisonment in a remote Russian facility where he unexpectedly shares a cell with Booth.

Foreshadowing: Hartley's knowledge of art theft techniques and his ability to identify forgeries planted seeds of doubt about his true identity.

  • john hartley
  • urvashi das
  • arrested
  • prison
  • frame
Q5

Where is the third Cleopatra egg actually located?

The third egg is hidden in Argentina, not Egypt as initially believed. Booth reveals the location is encoded on a watch belonging to his late father. The secret leads to a clandestine bunker in the Argentinian jungle filled with Nazi memorabilia, where the final egg is discovered.

Foreshadowing: Booth's attachment to his father's watch and his hesitation to share details foreshadow its importance.

  • third egg
  • argentina
  • hidden location
  • bunker
  • nazi memorabilia
Q6

Why does Booth tell Hartley the eggs are in Argentina instead of Egypt?

Booth reveals the true location because he and Hartley have finally built genuine trust after their adventures together. Additionally, Black had already betrayed them in the vault, making cooperation essential. The watch belonging to Booth's late father contains the coordinates, which Booth shares as a sign of their partnership.

Foreshadowing: Booth's emotional attachment to his father's watch and his growing friendship with Hartley set up the reveal.

  • nolan booth
  • argentina
  • trust
  • father watch
  • location
Q7

Who is The Bishop in Red Notice?

The Bishop is Sarah Black, a notorious art thief and the film's main antagonist. However, a major twist reveals that John Hartley is also operating under the Bishop codename, making them partners in crime. Both Hartley and Black use the same alias, which explains how they work together seamlessly and share similar criminal expertise.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at this connection through Hartley and Black's synchronized moves and understanding of each other's methods.

  • sarah black
  • the bishop
  • john hartley
  • identity reveal
  • twist
Q8

Why does Sarah Black betray Booth and Hartley in the vault?

Black betrays them because she plans to claim all three eggs for herself. She had tipped off Sotto Voce about their heist plans, hoping the chaos would eliminate her rivals. Her strategy involves double-crossing everyone, both her supposed allies and her enemies, to walk away with the complete set of eggs.

Foreshadowing: Black's earlier refusal to share a fair cut with Booth and her mysterious proposal hint at her manipulative nature.

  • sarah black
  • betrayal
  • vault
  • sotto voce
  • double cross
Q9

How do Hartley and Booth escape from the Russian prison?

Hartley and Booth orchestrate a daring escape by creating a distraction and overpowering guards. Their plan allows them to break out of the remote Russian facility and travel to Valencia to pursue the second egg. The escape sets the stage for their ongoing partnership against Sarah Black.

Foreshadowing: The prison setting forces them together, establishing the dynamic that makes their eventual escape plausible.

  • escape
  • russian prison
  • hartley
  • booth
  • prison break
Q10

What is the relationship between John Hartley and Sarah Black?

Hartley and Black share a deep professional and personal connection, they are both art thieves who operate under the Bishop codename. At the film's climax, they work together to present the three eggs to the buyer in Cairo, confirming their partnership. Their working relationship suggests long familiarity and mutual respect in the criminal world.

Foreshadowing: Their synchronized tactics and understanding of each other's methods throughout the film hint at their shared background.

  • hartley
  • black
  • relationship
  • connection
  • partnership
  • bishop
Q11

Why does Booth inform Inspector Das about the heist in Cairo?

Booth tips off Das because he wants to keep the eggs for himself and Hartley rather than handing them over to the buyer. By alerting authorities, he creates chaos that allows him, Hartley, and Black to escape with the eggs while everyone else is distracted by the Interpol raid. This move sets up their new partnership for future heists.

Foreshadowing: Booth's self-serving nature and his joke about wanting a 'clean slate' foreshadow his willingness to manipulate situations.

  • booth
  • das
  • tip off
  • cairo
  • interpol raid
  • escape
Q12

What happens with the three eggs at the Cairo wedding?

Hartley and Black present the three eggs to the Egyptian billionaire buyer during a lavish wedding ceremony, mirroring Cleopatra's original gift. However, an Interpol raid disrupts the celebration. In the chaos, Booth reveals he alerted Das, allowing the trio to escape together. The film ends with Booth proposing a new heist at The Louvre in Paris.

Foreshadowing: The wedding setting directly parallels the historical prologue about Cleopatra and Antonius.

  • cairo
  • wedding
  • eggs
  • interpol raid
  • louvre
  • heist
Q13

If only two eggs were found in 1907, where did the third egg come from?

The third egg was never discovered by the farmer in 1907, it remained hidden throughout history. Sarah Black reveals she knows the location of the missing third egg while in prison, and Booth later discovers its location encoded on his father's watch. This explains how all three eggs become available despite only two being unearthed centuries earlier.

Foreshadowing: The timeline explicitly states the final egg remained 'shrouded in mystery,' leaving its whereabouts unknown.

  • third egg
  • hidden
  • history
  • farmer
  • 1907
  • mystery
Q14

What is Inspector Das's role in tracking down the thieves?

Inspector Urvashi Das serves as the determined Interpol agent pursuing both Hartley and Booth throughout the film. She initially arrests Hartley for the theft, then chases the trio across Valencia, Argentina, and Cairo. While she始终 remains focused on capturing them, Booth ultimately uses her persistence to outmaneuver everyone at the final deal.

Foreshadowing: Das's persistent questioning of Hartley early on establishes her as a competent investigator who trusts evidence.

  • urvashi das
  • interpol
  • chase
  • pursuit
  • arrest

Ending explained

What Happens at the End of Red Notice?

How Red Notice (2021) ends, in short: the final scene, the last twist and what it means for the characters. The full ending explained, with every spoiler, lives on its own page.

Read the full ending explained

In the end, the three main characters—Nolan Booth, John Hartley, and Sarah Black—manage to outsmart the authorities and each other to keep all three of Cleopatra’s legendary eggs. After a series of twists and clever deceptions, Booth reveals that only two of the eggs are genuine, and the third is a fake he had prepared earlier. They then make a deal with the Egyptian billionaire, exchanging the eggs for a hefty reward. However, during the bishop’s betrayal at the wedding, Hartley and Sarah are framed and arrested, but Booth secretly tips off Interpol and escapes. Several months later, Booth visits Hartley and Sarah while they’re vacationing, revealing that he manipulated the law to tip off the authorities about Bishop’s large stolen fortune. He offers to team up with them for one last heist, promising riches and freedom. The trio then infiltrates the Louvre, where more thefts are planned, and as the story ends, they’re once again on the run, operating outside the law, with unresolved tensions and a sharply uncertain future. The ending leaves the audience questioning whether their criminal escapades will finally catch up with them or if they will continue their daring adventures, always one step ahead of the law.**

Red Notice ending explained in full

Movie threads

More Movies Like Red Notice, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Red Notice tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Witty Heist Adventures like Red Notice

Playful, high-stakes capes filled with clever dialogue and international intrigue. Find more movies like Red Notice that blend thrilling action with sharp comedy. This collection features globe-trotting crime capers, charismatic thieves, and stories where the banter is as exciting as the heists, perfect for fans of fast-paced, playful adventures.

  • action-packed
  • witty
  • playful
  • globe-trotting
  • banter-filled
  • thrilling
  • Tone: light, witty, playful
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often follow skilled professionals—thieves, agents, or con artists—as they engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse across exotic locations. The plot is driven by a series of elaborate set pieces, double-crosses, and a central rivalry or partnership built on sharp, humorous dialogue.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared high-energy, playful vibe. They prioritize spectacle and cleverness over deep drama, creating an entertaining experience defined by charismatic characters, elaborate heists, and a consistent undercurrent of humor that keeps the tone light even during intense action.

Movies with Competitive Duos like in Red Notice

Rivals forced to team up, where trust is the ultimate gamble. If you liked the rivalrous partnership in Red Notice, explore these stories of unlikely allies. These films feature charismatic opposites forced to work together, blending action, comedy, and a central relationship built on deception, trust, and clever one-upmanship.

  • unlikely partnership
  • deceptive
  • competitive
  • banter-filled
  • shifting allegiances
  • charismatic duo
  • Tone: light, deceptive, competitive
  • Pacing: fast, variable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative centers on a duo defined by their professional opposition. Forced into a temporary alliance to achieve a common goal, their partnership is a constant negotiation of trust and suspicion. The story unfolds through a series of challenges where they must rely on each other's skills, all while anticipating the next double-cross, leading to a finale that redefines their relationship.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by the central dynamic of a competitive partnership. The appeal lies in the tension between cooperation and rivalry, the chemistry between the lead actors, and a plot structure that uses deception and shifting allegiances as its primary engine, resulting in a fun, unpredictable ride.

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Movies Like Red Notice

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Every angle

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