Stick

Ernest 'Stick' Stickley is released after serving seven years for armed robbery. He steps back into a world that has moved on without him and begins weighing his chances at a new life. The reunion marks the start of his attempt to restart his life in earnest.

Stick reunites with Rainy for a supposed quick stop near the Florida Everglades, hoping to keep a low profile. The deal is an illegal drug sale arranged by Rainy's dealer, Chucky, which spirals out of control. Rainy is killed by Moke, and Stick barely escapes the carnage.

With Rainy's death behind him, Stick goes into hiding to elude Chucky and his killers. He moves from place to place, staying vigilant as the cartel closes in. The pressure mounts as his safety hinges on staying one step ahead.

In a stroke of luck, Stick helps Barry Braham into his locked car and is hired as Barry's driver. The job offers him a comfortable home and a chance to rebuild his life. He also begins reconnecting with his daughter Katie through the new arrangement.

As he settles into his new life, Stick becomes involved with Kyle, a financial consultant who serves as Barry's adviser. Kyle's presence gives Stick a sense of purpose and a potential future beyond his past. He balances his family ties with the growing relationship.

Stick goes to Chucky to demand the money Rainy owed, intending to fund a new life. Chucky refuses, and Nestor, a voodoo-obsessed cartel boss, pressures him to eliminate Stick. He then sends Moke and other hitmen to hunt Stick down.

To force Stick out of hiding, Nestor has Stick's daughter kidnapped. The threat becomes personal as Stick weighs risk to his family against his own safety. The clock is ticking as the cartel tightens the noose.

Stick corners Chucky and Moke on the balcony of Chucky's high-rise apartment. Moke taunts Stick, trying to provoke a fatal mistake, while Chucky intercedes and shoves Moke over the railing. Moke falls to his death, and Chucky also meets a deadly fall, leaving Stick victorious.

Stick tracks down Nestor's henchmen at his home and methodically eliminates them one by one. The violent sweep clears a path to face Nestor directly. The display of determination showcases Stick's resolve to protect his family.

Stick confronts Nestor; after a tense standoff and a burst of gunfire around the bar area, Nestor yields and agrees to leave Stick and his daughter alone in exchange for his life. The cartel's grip loosens as Stick secures his family with a hard-won peace. The power dynamics shift in Stick's favor.

With his daughter safe, Stick solidifies his new life and reconnects with Kyle. He calls Kyle on a mobile phone and arranges for the two lovers to meet on the highway median. The family is safe for now, and trust begins to rebuild.

Stick and Kyle meet in the median of a highway and share a moment of relief and affection. They embrace, choosing a future together away from the violence that defined Stick's past. The film closes on a note of cautious optimism for their new life.