Year: 2021
Runtime: 109 min
Language: English
Director: Martin Campbell
Anna is a skilled assassin who studied under the renowned Moody. Following his violent death, she embarks on a vengeful quest, finding herself entangled in a dangerous game of loyalty and deception. Her pursuit leads her to a mysterious killer with a peculiar fascination, creating a tense dynamic where the roles of hunter and hunted become increasingly unclear.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Protégé 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Protégé (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In the sweltering heat of 1991, international assassin Moody Dutton unexpectedly crossed paths with an innocent child named Anna in the midst of a chaotic gang massacre in Da Nang, Vietnam. Fast forward thirty years, Moody transformed Anna into his protégée and adopted daughter, who now runs a rare bookshop in London, cleverly serving as a front for their covert operations.
After a successful hit in Romania, Anna returns home to find her mentor, Moody, gravely ill in the English manor they share. To commemorate his 70th birthday, she gifts him a cherished guitar that once belonged to the legendary bluesman Albert King. This heartfelt gesture sets the stage for a significant new chapter in their lives, as Moody urges Anna to uncover the whereabouts of Lucas Hayes, a man shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
Driven by curiosity and determination, Anna enlists the help of her reliable contact, Benny. Her search leads her to the cryptic Michael Rembrandt at her bookstore. As she digs deeper, the serenity takes a dark turn: Anna discovers the brutal murders of Moody, her housekeeper, and Benny. In the aftermath, she finds hidden files left by Moody, unveiling a complex web of deception that threatens everything they hold dear.
Among the shocking revelations, Anna learns that Lucas’s father, Edward Hayes (played by David Rintoul), was a target of Moody’s deadly skills during their time in Da Nang. Resolute, Anna makes her way back to Vietnam, convincing her old associate Billy Boy to assist her in confronting Jossino Vohl, Edward’s former business partner. Their meeting with Vohl and his lawyer, Duquet, triggers a harrowing sequence of events, resulting in Anna’s kidnapping and brutal torture as Duquet seeks to get answers about her relentless quest for Lucas.
In an unexpected twist, Rembrandt reenters her life, asserting his innocence in Moody’s murder and encouraging her to abandon her search for Lucas due to the perilous forces she faces. However, Anna, undeterred, fights against her captors, eventually escaping to uncover the shocking truth that Lucas has been left severely disabled, cared for by a mysterious benefactor.
Later, Anna agrees to meet Rembrandt for dinner, where he reiterates his warnings against pursuing his enigmatic employer. Shortly after their encounter, he survives an assassination attempt orchestrated by Duquet. Meanwhile, Anna herself tracks down and eliminates Duquet at his residence, preparing to ambush Rembrandt upon his arrival. However, their undeniable attraction culminates in a passionate moment between them.
As fate would have it, Anna finds herself facing Duquet’s henchman, only to be dramatically saved by Moody, who had orchestrated his own supposed death to mislead the murderer into thinking they’ve succeeded. Uniting once more, they learn that Rembrandt’s employer is hosting a charity gala at a fortified mansion, providing the perfect cover for Anna to infiltrate the event disguised as a waiter. Yet, things take an unexpected turn when she is captured and brought to the employer’s secure bunker, where Moody confronts Edward Hayes, the man behind his own apparent demise years ago.
In a powerful showdown, Moody declares that although he is flawed, Hayes embodies true evil. Determined to find resolution and redemption, he detonates a bomb, bringing their confrontation to a deadly end.
In the aftermath, Anna narrowly escapes, drawn back to Da Nang—the very place where Moody found her as a vulnerable child. Bearing the scars of her traumatic past, she orchestrates her vengeful retribution against the gang leader who ruined her childhood, using the very weapon he once taught her to assemble.
At this critical moment, Rembrandt arrives, leading to an intense standoff between him and Anna, each tense moment thick with anticipation. Just as the tension reaches its peak, a gunshot rings out, leaving Anna to emerge from the building alone, her future hanging by a thread.
Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 14:01
Still wondering what the ending of The Protégé (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
*The ending of “The Protege” reveals a complex web of deception, redemption, and haunting pasts. Throughout the film, Anna discovers that both Moody Dutton and Edward Hayes had survived their supposed deaths. Moody, who had been hunting down Lucas Hayes to understand his connection to the crime syndicate, ultimately confronts Edward on a secluded island. There, Moody sets a trap and reveals that Edward had faked his death years earlier to protect his son from dangerous enemies, running his criminal empire from hiding. Moody’s final act is self-sacrifice; he detonates a bomb, killing himself and Edward to close the cycle of violence and guilt.
Meanwhile, Anna faces her traumatic past, which involves losing her family during a violent militant attack in her childhood. Her memories of killing militants and being rescued by Moody are deeply embedded in her psyche. In a climactic moment, she confronts and kills Michael Rembrandt, who was part of the conspiracy, to attain personal closure. In the end, Anna leaves the island haunted but also free from her past, sending coordinates to Rembrandt, implying she has accepted her scars and is ready to move forward. The film concludes with her walking away from her haunting memories, symbolizing her having finally faced and reconciled with her trauma.*
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Protégé 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 The Protégé is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Protégé 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 The Protégé. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like The Protégé that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Protégé (2021) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Protégé (2021) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
The Protégé (2021) Ending Explained & Theories
Movies Like The Protégé – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Replacement Killers (1998) Full Summary & Key Details
The Rhythm Section (2020) Complete Plot Breakdown
Anna (2019) Movie Recap & Themes
The Killer (2022) Detailed Story Recap
AKA (2023) Film Overview & Timeline
The Mother (2023) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Killer Elite (2011) Story Summary & Characters
The Virtuoso (2021) Story Summary & Characters
The Killer (2024) Movie Recap & Themes
The Prince (2014) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Criminal (2016) Movie Recap & Themes
The Killers (1964) Complete Plot Breakdown
Trigger Point (2021) Story Summary & Characters
Assassin Club (2023) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Taken (2009) Ending Explained & Film Insights