Year: 2016
Runtime: 107 min
Language: English
Director: Renny Harlin
A Hong Kong detective and an American gambler unexpectedly team up to pursue a formidable Chinese crime lord. Their pursuit takes them on a thrilling chase across the Chinese mainland, filled with dangerous stunts and action-packed sequences as they navigate a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Skiptrace (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film begins at a bustling shipyard where Hong Kong detective Bennie Chan discovers his partner, Yung, rigged with a bomb. With the countdown ticking down to less than 30 seconds, Yung entrusts his watch to Bennie, promising to safeguard his daughter, Samantha, before making the ultimate sacrifice and leaping from the tower as the bomb detonates, seemingly claiming his life.
Flashback to nine years prior, Bennie, alongside his colleagues Leslie and Esmond, is on the trail of Victor Wong, a suspected crime lord known as the Matador, in Hong Kong. However, their efforts lead them to encounter Handsome Willie, Wong’s loyal lieutenant. Bennie skillfully infiltrates their operation, only to be thwarted by an unexpected encounter with a dog. An errant tennis ball distracts the canine, drawing the attention of the henchmen. After dispatching the henchmen, Bennie’s team inadvertently causes a calamity that leads to extensive property damage, much to the chagrin of Police Captain Tang, who angrily relieves Bennie of his duties.
In another subplot, American gambler Connor Watts arrives in Macau, having been exiled from the US. While engaging in light conversation with the enchanting Samantha, he quickly finds himself pursued by the Russian mafia. After a thrilling chase through the casino and witnessing the murder of a woman named Esther Yee, Connor opts to flee back to Russia, unaware that Willie is already tracking him down due to his association with Samantha.
The next day, Samantha confides in Bennie about her connection with Connor, prompting Bennie to travel to Russia searching for the gambler. There, in an act of desperation, Bennie rescues Connor from a precarious situation where he was being interrogated by Russian mobsters over an alleged affair with Dima’s daughter, Natalia. Just when it seems their luck has changed, they become entangled in a high-stakes game of survival, escaping together only to be forced onto a chaotic train ride toward China.
Upon arriving at the Mongolia-China border, Connor’s recognition of Wong as the assassin complicates matters further. In a twist of deception, he falsely claims Bennie has kidnapped him, leading to their arrest. As they are implicated in the murder of Esther, their journey spirals further into peril. An ambush by the Russian mafia allows them to escape once more, but they soon find themselves relying on improvised transportation through the Gobi Desert.
Their adventure takes a lighter turn as they bond with local Mongolian residents for a night filled with laughter and festivities before they reach the border. Once in Hong Kong, the stakes skyrocket as Samantha finds herself in grave danger at the hands of Willie, who threatens her life to manipulate Bennie. In a desperate phone call, Bennie learns of her capture, igniting his resolve to confront the looming threat posed by Willie and his henchmen.
As the plot unfolds, Bennie and Connor engage in a relentless pursuit to rescue Samantha, culminating in a heart-pounding zip line escape. However, their trials lead them to uncover a more profound revelation about Yung’s dual life as the real Matador. Just as they think they can save Samantha, chaos ensues with betrayals and revelations, culminating in a dramatic showdown involving the Russian mafia and Willie’s crew.
In the end, after harrowing encounters and personal sacrifices, Yung’s unexpected return adds depth to the story, leading to a tragic yet noble resolution as he sacrifices himself for his daughter. As the dust settles, Connor returns to Russia, now a father, while Bennie and Samantha embark on a new chapter, embracing serenity among the alpacas on a tranquil ranch, fulfilling a dream once cherished by Bennie.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:11
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.
Mismatched partners on a high-stakes adventure filled with banter and chaotic action.If you liked the hilarious partnership and action-packed chaos of Skiptrace, this list features movies with similar high-energy adventures. Discover other great buddy comedies where mismatched heroes face danger with humor and heart.
These stories typically pair two contrasting personalities—often a rule-follower and a loose cannon—who must overcome their differences to achieve a common goal. Their journey is punctuated by fast-paced action, comedic mishaps, and a character arc that sees them form a genuine, loyal partnership.
These films are grouped by their successful mix of a high-intensity, fast-paced plot with a light, humorous tone centered on a core relationship. They deliver an entertaining experience that is both thrilling and emotionally rewarding.
High-stakes pursuits that race across international borders and exotic locations.For viewers who enjoyed the international chase from Russia to China in Skiptrace, this list collects movies with similar sprawling crime adventures. Find more films where the pursuit of a criminal mastermind spans multiple countries and cultures.
The plot follows protagonists as they track a formidable villain or valuable object across a series of distinct global locations. This structure creates a sense of epic scale and constant forward motion, weaving cultural backdrops into the fabric of the action and intrigue.
This thread connects films that share the specific narrative engine of an international chase. The similarity lies in the fast pacing, the high stakes of a powerful criminal conspiracy, and the visual and cultural variety provided by the multiple settings.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Skiptrace 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 Skiptrace is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Skiptrace with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Skiptrace. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Skiptrace that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Skiptrace: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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