Setup

Setup

Year: 2011

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Mike Gunther

CrimeActionDramaThrillerCrime

A group of friends meticulously plan a heist, but it turns deadly when one double‑crosses the others and runs off with the loot. Betrayed, Sonny takes matters into his own hands, allying with the city’s most dangerous mob boss to reclaim what’s his. When he finally confronts his former friend, he must choose between vengeance and his future.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Setup yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Setup (2011)

Trace every key event in Setup (2011) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Plan for the $5 Million Diamond Heist

Three Detroit friends—Sonny, Dave, and Vincent—hatch a detailed plan to steal $5 million in diamonds. They map out routes, roles, and contingencies, weighing the risks of betrayal. The plan marks the beginning of a brutal chain of decisions that will test loyalties and lives.

Detroit
2

Vincent's Betrayal

During the heist attempt, Vincent betrays the others by shooting Sonny and Dave. Dave dies on the spot, and Sonny survives but is gravely wounded. The betrayal sets Sonny on a path of revenge against Vincent and the others.

3

Sonny Aligns with Biggs

Bleeding and enraged, Sonny seeks protection and support from Biggs, Detroit's most dangerous mob boss. They strike a fragile alliance, planning to recover the money and settle scores. The partnership marks a shift from a heist to a personal vendetta.

4

Money Hidden in Cemetery

Biggs dispatches Sonny and Petey to retrieve $2 million buried in a cemetery. They dig up the cash and place it in the trunk of Petey's car; Petey accidentally shoots himself, dying at the scene. The money becomes a focal point fueling the ensuing violence.

Cemetery
5

Petey's Death and the Butcher

Sonny retrieves Petey's body and delivers it to the Butcher, a brutal enforcer who helps manage the crew's dirty work. The grim display underscores the ruthlessness of the mob world Sonny has joined. The event pushes Sonny further toward vengeance.

The Butcher's domain
6

The Fence is Eliminated

The fence attempts to warn Vincent that he must clean up the mess left by Sonny's survival. Vincent retaliates by killing the fence, showing his willingness to erase loose ends. The act signals the depth of Vincent's commitment to his new path.

7

Sonny Visits Dave's Grave

Sonny makes a quiet visit to Dave's grave in the cemetery, reflecting on the price of betrayal and his vow for revenge. The moment deepens Sonny's resolve and plants the seeds for the next moves in the cycle of violence. He leaves with a heavier sense of purpose.

Cemetery
8

Mia Attacked; Vincent Seeks Help

Mia is attacked in her home by the diamonds' owner demanding return of the loot. Later, Vincent visits Mia and discovers her dead body, heightening the personal stakes of the conflict. The brutal act deepens Vincent's involvement in the violent web around the diamonds.

Mia's home
9

Saunders Extorts Vincent

In the prison, Saunders extorts Vincent for $100,000 in protection money to shield his father from danger. The demand illustrates the pervasive corruption and the price of power within the criminal world. The interaction tightens the leverage over Vincent.

Prison
10

Vincent's Father Reveals Sonny is Alive

Vincent's father reveals that Sonny is alive and that Sonny recently visited him in prison. The revelation hints at the shifting loyalties and warns of Biggs's looming moves. It heightens Vincent's sense of danger and resolve to act.

Prison
11

Sonny Steals from Biggs and Hides It

Sonny takes a portion of Biggs's $2 million and hides it in a Teddy Bear, then in a Box to mislead the others. He later falsely claims to Biggs that Vincent has the money, fueling suspicion and mistrust. The subterfuge lays the groundwork for the climactic confrontations.

12

Biggs and Vincent Confrontation

John arranges a meeting between Vincent and Biggs to demand their money. A chaotic shootout erupts with many casualties as loyalties collapse and revenge takes center stage. Vincent manages to escape the carnage, setting up the final acts.

13

Diamond Owner Breaks In; Vincent Kills Him

The owner of the diamonds breaks into Vincent's home and confronts him as he is packing away the money. Vincent shoots and kills the intruder, escalating the dangerous cycle of violence. The diamond conflict comes directly to Vincent's doorstep.

Vincent's home
14

Sonny Ambushes Vincent; Confession and Mercy

Sonny ambushes Vincent just as he is about to open his car door. He douses him in oil and makes him dig his own grave in a tense confrontation. Vincent confesses that he was forced to kill Sonny and Dave because Saunders had threatened his father, and Sonny ultimately spares his life.

Outside Vincent's car
15

Prison Murder and Teddy Bear Ending

In the final twist, Vincent's father is murdered by another inmate in the prison. Meanwhile, Dave's girlfriend receives the Teddy Bear package containing the money Sonny hid, and Sonny quips a grim line before driving off toward an uncertain future. The film closes on a note of blurred revenge and silence.

Prison; various

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:08

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Ruthless Heist Betrayal Movies like Setup

Stories where meticulously planned robberies are undone by a fatal double-cross.For viewers who liked the gritty betrayal and revenge plot of Setup, this list features similar movies about heists collapsing due to deception. If you enjoy stories filled with tense double-crosses, brutal retaliation, and the grim consequences of broken loyalty in the criminal world, you'll find more movies like it here.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives typically begin with a high-stakes, detailed heist plan that immediately unravels when one participant betrays the others. The core of the story is a linear, fast-paced revenge quest, where the wronged protagonist must navigate dangerous alliances and escalating violence, culminating in a final confrontation that questions the true price of vengeance.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their central narrative engine: a heist betrayal that sets off a chain reaction of violence and retribution. They share a dark, cynical tone, high intensity, and a focus on the devastating personal consequences of greed and disloyalty within a criminal framework.

Gritty Crime Stories with Bittersweet Endings like Setup

Stories where achieving justice leaves a bitter taste and emotional scars.If the heavy, cynical feel of Setup resonated with you, this collection features similar gritty crime dramas. These movies explore themes of moral collapse, ruthless violence, and protagonists whose triumphs are ultimately bittersweet or pyrrhic, leaving them—and the viewer—with a somber reflection on the costs of their actions.

grittysomberbrutalcynicalheavyruthlesstensemoral dilemma

Narrative Summary

The narrative journey involves a descent into a violent, unforgiving world, often driven by a need for retribution. The protagonist's path is marked by hard choices and escalating brutality. The climax provides a form of resolution, but the ending is characterized by a profound sense of loss, questioning whether any true victory was possible in such a corrupt environment.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their consistent dark tone, high emotional weight, and a specific type of ending where the outcome feels more like survival than triumph. They deliver a powerful, heavy viewing experience centered on the bleak realities of crime and the elusive nature of true justice.

Unlock the Full Story of Setup

Don't stop at just watching — explore Setup in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Setup is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Setup Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Setup, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Setup Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Setup

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Setup. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Setup

Setup Spoiler-Free Summary

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Setup Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Setup

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