Tom Ripley is a wealthy American residing in Hamburg, Germany. He finds himself entangled in a forgery scheme, where he artificially inflates auction prices of supposedly newly-discovered artworks by an artist who has staged his own death. During an auction, he meets Jonathan Zimmermann, a picture framer suffering from leukemia. Upon introduction, Zimmermann coldly comments, >"I've heard of you," which leads to an awkward departure.
Enter Raoul Minot, a French criminal, who proposes to Ripley that he eliminate an American gangster. Initially, Ripley refuses the job but feels compelled to take revenge for Zimmermann's previous slight. He whimsically suggests that Minot use Zimmermann as the hitman. Ripley spreads rumors of Zimmermann's declining health, prompting Minot to offer him a lucrative deal to take out the gangster. Although Zimmermann initially declines, facing the reality of his illness, he ultimately agrees to accompany Minot to France for a second opinion. Minot manipulates the medical results to instill a sense of urgency in Zimmermann, compelling him to comply with the assassination plot for the sake of his wife, Marianne, and son, Daniel.
In a surprising turn, Ripley visits Zimmermann before and after the planned murder, presenting himself as merely seeking a framing service. Unbeknownst to Zimmermann, Ripley is the architect behind this deadly scheme, yet a bond begins to develop between them after Zimmermann apologizes for his earlier rudeness.
Minot updates Ripley on the success of Zimmermann's hit, yet an unsettling request follows: Zimmermann is to kill another gangster aboard an international express train to instigate a gang war. During this tense scenario, the gangster manages to catch Zimmermann off guard. However, at a critical moment, Ripley emerges and assists Zimmermann in overpowering both the target and his bodyguard, disposing of their bodies from the moving train. Back in Hamburg, Ripley admits to recommending Zimmermann to Minot, and when offered money for the second hit, he gracefully declines while urging Zimmermann to keep his involvement secret.
However, living a double life proves to be taxing for Zimmermann, creating strain in his marriage. Marianne grows suspicious of his stories about travel and experimental treatments, ultimately deciding to leave with Daniel. This departure sends Zimmermann into despair. Minot soon visits, inquiring whether Zimmermann has insights into a recent bombing at his flat. When Zimmermann mentions, "we killed the man on the train," it raises Minot's suspicions about Ripley's loyalty.
In desperation, Zimmermann reaches out to Ripley. The two men prepare for an oncoming threat from the assassins they expect. When they are ambushed, Ripley and Zimmermann spring into action, taking down the American gangsters. However, chaos ensues as Minot, having been captured and beaten, makes his escape amidst the confusion.
Ripley manages to gather the bodies into the ambulance provided by the gangsters. Before they can make their exit, Marianne confronts Zimmermann, revealing that the French medical reports were fraudulent. Offering a way out, Ripley suggests they all team up to navigate the ensuing crisis. As they head towards the coast in the ambulance, Ripley ignites a dramatic closure by dousing it in gasoline and lighting a fire. In a heart-pounding moment, Zimmermann loses control of the car and tragically dies at the wheel, while Marianne miraculously pulls the emergency brake, escaping the catastrophe.
On the beach, Ripley reflects to himself, "Oh well. We made it anyway, Jonathan. Be careful."
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