Running with the Devil

Running with the Devil

Year: 2019

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Jason Cabell

Echo Score: 48
DramaThrillerCrime

A large shipment of cocaine goes wrong, forcing a ruthless drug lord to dispatch his top enforcer and longtime partner on a dangerous mission to recover the lost supply. As they work to secure the cartel’s operation, they encounter various traffickers and gangsters while facing increasing pressure from determined Federal Agents who are closing in on their every move. The chase becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse with high stakes for everyone involved.

Running with the Devil (2019) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Running with the Devil (2019) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the shadowed corridors of a sprawling drug empire, a massive cocaine shipment goes awry, threatening to unravel the delicate balance that sustains the cartel’s profit‑driven world. The loss sends ripples of panic through an operation built on precision and secrecy, turning everything from remote farms to bustling ports into a high‑stakes battlefield where every misstep could spell disaster. The atmosphere is thick with tension, a relentless cat‑and‑mouse dance that blurs the line between hunter and hunted, and the stakes feel as heavy as the cargo itself.

Tasked with retrieving the compromised load are two seasoned operatives whose partnership has weathered countless crises. The Cook commands the mission with a blend of meticulous planning and cold efficiency, drawing on his deep knowledge of the cartel’s inner workings. Beside him, The Man relies on street‑wise instincts and brutal pragmatism, providing the muscle and intuition needed to navigate the treacherous underworld. Their contrasting styles forge a dynamic that is both complementary and volatile, hinting at a history of loyalty forged in fire and forged anew with each new danger.

On the opposite side of the law, a determined federal team inches closer, led by a sharp‑tongued leader whose reputation for relentless pursuit is matched only by the quiet, resourceful informant at her side. Agent in Charge brings a disciplined, by‑the‑book approach, while The Snitch offers inside knowledge that keeps the agency one step ahead. Their presence adds a tightening noose of pressure, turning every move the enforcers make into a calculated risk against a backdrop of relentless surveillance.

The film settles into a gritty, pulse‑pounding tone that captures the bleak beauty of a world where loyalty is scarce and survival hinges on quick wit and sharper instincts. As the two forces converge, the story promises a tense, atmospheric chase through a labyrinth of betrayal, greed, and fleeting alliances, leaving the audience eager to see which side will ultimately outmaneuver the other.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 01:39

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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.

Gritty Cartel Operation Thrillers like Running with the Devil

Dive into the ruthless mechanics and high-stakes logistics of criminal empires.For viewers who liked the behind-the-scenes look at a drug cartel in Running with the Devil, this list features movies that explore the mechanics of criminal empires. Discover similar crime stories with a focus on supply chains, enforcement, and the ruthless business of illegal trade.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often follow a multi-pronged approach, tracing a valuable commodity—drugs, weapons, money—through its dangerous journey. The narrative juxtaposes the meticulous planning of the criminals with the relentless pursuit of law enforcement, creating a tense procedural that highlights the fragility and brutality of the entire system.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the operational details of high-level crime. They share a grim, cynical tone and a fascination with the logistics that power criminal enterprises, offering a grounded and often bleak look at this dangerous world.

Bleak Cat and Mouse Crime Thrillers like Running with the Devil

Desperate chases through criminal underworlds where no one escapes unscathed.If you enjoyed the high-stakes chase between cartel operatives and federal agents in Running with the Devil, you'll find similar tense thrillers here. These movies feature desperate cat-and-mouse games in corrupt worlds, with fast pacing and bleak endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a race against time, often triggered by a single catastrophic event. It follows multiple parties—criminals, law enforcement, intermediaries—whose paths violently intersect. The journey is one of escalating stakes and paranoia, where alliances are fleeting and survival is the only goal, typically culminating in a devastating and morally ambiguous resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core cat-and-mouse dynamic, fast pacing, and overwhelmingly tense and bleak atmosphere. They share a heavy emotional weight and a focus on survival in a world where trust is fatal and victory is pyrrhic at best.

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Running with the Devil Summary

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Running with the Devil Summary

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Running with the Devil Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Running with the Devil

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Running with the Devil

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