The Enforcer

Ricky “Stray” is a backyard fighter who risks his life daily to make ends meet. Impressed by his determination and courage, Estelle, a woman with a hidden agenda, invites him to her night bar in Miami. Without much exposition, it’s revealed that Estelle is a kingpin running a prostitution ring. She quickly informs Stray that she has clawed her way to the top, and it’s precisely this hustler spirit in him that intrigues her. To further her goals, Estelle pairs Stray with her loyal hitman, Mr. Cuda (Antonio Banderas), assigning them a mission to eliminate a man named Ronnie Fennech. Ronnie is deep in debt to Estelle and has failed to settle his dues, prompting Estelle to send Cuda to finish the job. After successfully completing the task, Cuda grows frustrated with Stray’s inexperience and dismisses him.

The morning after, Cuda tries to reconnect with his 15-year-old daughter, Lola, whom he has not seen since his prison release. He brings her money and inquires about her upcoming 16th birthday, but it becomes clear that Lola is uncomfortable with his presence and hurries away. Later, while lingering near the beach, Cuda encounters another girl, Billie (Zolee Griggs), who has run away from her foster home in Atlanta, seeking a fresh start in Miami. When Billie is caught shoplifting, Cuda rushes to her aid, proving his protective instincts. He takes her to a safe place, paying for her hotel room and giving her cash along with a gold money clip. Cuda sees a reflection of his daughter in Billie, and his kindness marks a significant shift in his character amid his criminal lifestyle.

However, tragedy strikes when Billie is kidnapped from her hotel room. Upon discovering her disappearance, Cuda immediately sets off in search of her, reaching out to Stray for assistance. During a tense moment in a Chinese restaurant while collecting debts, Cuda finds the money clip he had given Billie, trailing him to the hotel manager, who sold her to Freddie (2 Chainz), a businessman with sinister motives. Freddie exploits young girls, coercing them into making explicit content for profit. Cuda realizes that attempting to save Billie may spark a war with Estelle, who is in league with Freddie. Faced with a moral dilemma, Cuda decides that he must act against his employer’s wishes.

Desperate to protect Billie, Cuda confronts Estelle, but she is more motivated by profit and orders her bodyguard, Doom (Mark Rhino Smith), to eliminate Cuda. Just as the situation escalates, Stray appears with bags from Freddie. At this juncture, Stray must choose between loyalty to Estelle or protecting Cuda. In a heroic twist, he aligns with Cuda, and together they confront Doom. In a tense showdown, Cuda seizes the opportunity to eliminate Doom. Estelle attempts to retaliate, but just then, Lexus (Alexis Ren), a former dancer in Estelle’s club, intervenes, shooting Estelle to protect Stray and liberate herself from her oppressive life.

After bidding them farewell, Cuda gears up to rescue Billie and the other girls held captive in a nearby factory owned by Freddie. He summons his courage, takes on Freddie’s guards, and eventually faces Freddie himself inside the darkened lair. Wounded in a fight, Cuda is fortunate that Billie, having escaped, comes to his aid and takes down Freddie, putting an end to his exploitative reign. With everything at stake, Cuda sends Stray and Billie to safety, encouraging them to flee Florida with half a million dollars and start anew, far from Estelle’s grasp.

Stray, Billie, and Lexus relocate to the peace of the mountains, where Stray opens an auto repair shop, living under the name “Ricky.” Cuda’s final requests shape their lives as they forge a future filled with hope. In the end, Cuda, reflecting on his relationship with his daughter, drives to her school, leaving behind his beloved “barracuda” car as a birthday gift for Lola—a legacy from a father yearning to connect. In a poignant finale, Cuda walks to the shore where he reflects on the peaceful existence he can never attain, ultimately finding closure in his final moments as he sits beneath a tree, mirroring the tranquility depicted in a painting he once purchased. Cuda’s sacrifice ensures a brighter future for Stray, Billie, and Lexus—his way of achieving redemption through protecting the lives he cared about most.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 17:24