Stickmen

Thomas, Wayne, and Jack meet in a bar where Holden explains a high-stakes underground pool tournament run by the Greek crime lord Daddy. The trio agrees to enter under the name 'Stickmen' and pays the entry fee, knowing the prize is $20,000 tax-free. The mood is tense as they realize their risk and the power behind the game.

After leaving the bar, the trio goes to a cafe where Sara flirts with Thomas and shows a growing interest in him. The moment introduces a personal thread that will intersect with the tournament quickly. The others are preoccupied with pool plans, but the attraction between Thomas and Sara becomes a focal point for the night.

The next morning, the three have breakfast and Jack reveals their first match will be against Jimmy and Eric at the Princess Bar. They set their expectations and begin to prepare mentally for the challenge. The announcement marks the formal entry into the tournament slate.

Thomas attends a course on coping with redundancy but is asked to leave, illustrating his precarious employment situation. He later encounters Sara during a management course, and they share a coffee, deepening their connection. The day blends professional setbacks with personal attraction.

Wayne goes to a job interview to drive prostitutes for a brothel run by Daddy. The madam reveals Daddy's ownership of the operation, underscoring the criminal network behind the tournament. The exchange shows how the game is tied to coercion and leverage.

Dave struggles to pay rent on his bar, which is leased from Daddy. Holden visits and, after some friendly chatter, tells Dave that the cheque bounced and breaks his thumb to enforce payment. The confrontation foreshadows the consequences of falling behind Daddy's demands.

The Stickmen arrive at the Princess Bar and defeat Jimmy and Eric in their first tournament match, marking a successful start to their run. They return to Dave's bar to celebrate, where Sara arrives and Thomas shares a drink with her. The win boosts their confidence despite the looming danger from Daddy.

The next morning, Daddy demands a meeting with Jack and Wayne at his barber shop. Thomas does not show up, revealing he slept with Sara and adding strain to the group. The power dynamic tightens as Daddy asserts control and dishes out new pressures.

Daddy informs them that their next match will be against the 'Men in Black,' a feared team of two priests who are surprisingly competent. The Stickmen brace for a tougher challenge and the stakes grow higher with each promotion by Daddy. The tension between players and patrons intensifies as the underworld rules of the game bite deeper.

Holden announces that their semi-final opponents are the Bastinados, who turn out to be Sara and Karen themselves. The revelation complicates Thomas's personal life and the team dynamic as the tournament narrows toward its climax. A sense of inevitability settles in as rivals become teammates on the same board.

During a break, Sara confesses to Thomas that she threw the semi-final and reveals she truly cares about him. Wayne and Jack attempt to stage a comeback for the final by keeping Wayne focused, while the personal tensions threaten the team's cohesion. The rooftop talk sets up the emotional stakes for the final showdown.

Wayne collapses during the final against the Bankers, forcing Jack to step in. Holden intervenes and helps Thomas and Sara reach the winning shot, allowing Thomas to seal the final with a dramatic finish. The Stickmen win the coveted prize and the crowd's roar echoes the triumph over the underworld's rules.

A few weeks pass and Dave has refurbished the bar into a thriving venue, symbolizing a fragile moment of normalcy. The Stickmen celebrate with a friendly game of pool, showing how far they’ve come from their first gig to cultural notoriety. The film closes on a note of camaraderie amid the criminal backdrop.