Semper Fi

In 2005, five close friends—Cal, Milk, Jaeger, Snowball, and Oyster—enjoy a night of bowling at Westside Lanes in Bridgewater, NY. Their camaraderie is clear as they joke and roughhouse, but they face a threat of removal by an employee named Tony, until Cal shows his police badge to diffuse the situation.

The five friends balance their leisure time with their jobs and serve in the Marine Corps Reserve at Fort Drum. During their training, Cal serves as their Staff Sergeant, while Oyster often acts recklessly, picking fights and forgetting uniforms, which leads to him receiving punishment within military ranks.

Cal and Oyster have frequent arguments at home. Their discussions intensify due to Oyster's prior felony convictions and dreams that Cal sees as empty. During one particularly heated exchange, a physical scuffle ensues, resulting in Oyster sustaining an accidental injury, causing further strain in their relationship.

Late one evening, the friends gather at the Old Point Bar where Cal impresses others with tattoos that signify loyalty. Tensions rise as they encounter Jaeger’s ex-girlfriend Clara, and a shift occurs when Oyster, who wants to buy drinks for some girls, is urged by Cal not to become too drunk.

After obtaining money for drinks, Oyster attempts to impress the girls but quickly encounters trouble in the restroom. When a fight breaks out with Ben, Oyster reacts violently, leading to an accidental tragedy when Ben hits his head and becomes unconscious, prompting alarm and chaos.

Cal receives a call while studying at home and realizes he must rush to the bar to confront the situation. He finds Oyster has fled and searches for him, leading to a discovery that transforms their relationship in an irreversible way, setting them on paths of fear and consequence.

When Cal locates Oyster at Snowball's apartment, he is forced to face his brother and arrest him, though witnessed by Snowball who tries to intervene. The arrest is heart-wrenching as it comes with the knowledge that Ben has died, and Cal is conflicted about taking his brother in as the reality of a potential murder charge sinks in.

Oyster begins serving his 25-year sentence at Franklin Correctional Facility, where he tries to keep a low profile and get through the day. However, conditions deteriorate as guards find ways to exploit and abuse him, leading to a brutal encounter that exposes the darker side of prison life.

Eight months later, Cal, along with his friends, returns home from active duty in Mosul, Iraq. While they are celebrated as heroes, Cal carries the burden of his brother's situation and feels isolated, highlighting the emotional toll of military service and the complexities of their friendships.

A visit between Cal and Oyster proves tumultuous, overshadowed by anger and betrayal. The long-standing resentment boils over, and despite Cal’s attempts to mediate, the confrontation only heightens their rift, leaving both brothers emotionally wounded.

Disheartening by Oyster's situation, Cal and Snowball begin investigating potential avenues to appeal Oyster's sentence. They take action against the abuses within the prison, risking retaliation, as their bond as friends and brothers fuels their determination for justice.

The group visits Jaeger at Walter Reed Medical Hospital, where he faces the aftermath of losing part of his leg due to injuries sustained in combat. This visit reinforces the reality of their military service and the sacrifices they have made, affecting Cal’s mental state deeply.

After sleepless nights and emotional turmoil, Cal struggles with the idea of justice and accountability while feeling helpless about Oyster’s lengthy sentence. His friends offer support, reminding him that he is needed, even as he wrestles with overwhelming feelings of rage and despair.

The friends devise a plan for Oyster’s escape from prison, utilizing their military training to strategize effectively. Cal insists on taking this risk, and with encouragement from Snowball and Jaeger, they all commit to the dangerous but necessary mission.

Oyster successfully escapes to Canada with the help of his friends, while Cal turns himself in as a gesture of loyalty and sacrifice. This act highlights the strength of their bond and raises questions about justice, family, and forgiveness amidst turmoil.