Year: 2020
Runtime: 113 min
Language: English
Director: Guy Ritchie
Mickey Pearson has built a profitable marijuana empire in London, but he's looking to sell and walk away. This decision triggers a series of events as rival criminals and opportunistic schemers attempt to seize control of his operation. A complex web of blackmail, bribery, and double-crosses ensues, testing the loyalties of everyone involved in this wickedly entertaining and stylish crime story.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Gentlemen (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The curtain lifts on a gritty narrative of crime and deception, centering around Mickey Pearson portrayed by Matthew McConaughey as he sits in a shabby pub, enmeshed in thought while speaking to his wife over the phone. Little does he know, a sinister plot is brewing, with an unseen figure lurking behind him as a taunting voice on the other end of the line disturbs his wife’s peace. The calm atmosphere is abruptly shattered by the echoing sound of gunfire, causing a splash of crimson to decorate Mickey’s pint glass.
Just as Raymond, Mickey’s loyal right-hand man portrayed by Charlie Hunnam, hosts a visit from Fletcher, the cunning journalist represented by Hugh Grant, the layers of deception unfurl further. Fletcher, under the employ of Big Dave (Eddie Marsan), is on the prowl for compromising intel about Mickey – a quest intensified by their rocky history. A previous encounter turned sour when Mickey refused a handshake with Dave due to an article that scandalously revealed a close associate’s gay affair. Now, tempted by a lucrative 150,000-pound offer for dirt on Mickey, Fletcher has his own agenda, demanding a whopping 20 million pounds from Raymond for exclusive intel that could be transformed into a sensational screenplay.
Assuredly, as Fletcher shares his insights into Mickey’s world, it becomes apparent that Mickey is far from a typical gangster. A self-made man with humble beginnings, Mickey cultivated a flourishing marijuana business during his time at Oxford University, earning a reputation for ruthless retaliation; those who dared to cross him did so at their own peril.
Whispers of Mickey’s impending retirement are swirling, especially following his latest dealings with Matthew Berger played by Jeremy Strong, surface as he plans to hand over his lucrative empire in exchange for a staggering 400 million pounds. However, his wife Rosalind, that fiercely protective spirit portrayed by Michelle Dockery, is not pleased with this arrangement, cautioning him about Berger’s cunning ways.
Meanwhile, a calculated gangster known as Dry Eye, played by Henry Golding, schemes to take advantage of Mickey’s potential retirement, approaching him with an offer to buy out his business. However, when Mickey rejects the proposal, Dry Eye’s attempts at intimidation provoke Mickey’s fury, sparking a brutal showdown in which Mickey dispatches Dry Eye’s henchmen with lethal expertise before turning the gun on Dry Eye himself. Yet this explosive scene is nothing more than a mere fabrication, spun by Fletcher to add drama to his narrative; the truth is that Mickey merely stood his ground against petty threats.
As Mickey proudly reveals one of his prosperous weed farms to Berger, the plots are strategically sited on the land owned by Lord Pressfield, the father of the notorious Laura played by Eliot Sumner, with whom Mickey has developed a lucrative partnership. Unfortunately, tranquility is short-lived as the Toddlers, a ragtag group of aspiring rappers and boxers, attack Mickey’s guards, recording their chaotic confrontation and sending it to Raymond, who readily shares it with Coach, portrayed by Colin Farrell.
This alarming footage prompts Coach into action, finding himself in a tangle as he fends off a group of intruding youths in a restaurant, all while Big Dave instructs Fletcher to investigate Mickey’s dealings with Lord Pressfield. When Laura mysteriously vanishes, Lord Pressfield seeks Mickey’s assistance, leading Raymond and his men on a dangerous quest to rescue her from a dreadful junkie den. The rescue attempt ends tragically with the death of Aslan, a tragic moment that punctuates the chaos and violence surrounding them.
With tensions escalating, Mickey decides to confront Lord George at his restaurant, intending to send a message. He taints the tea, a symbolic act of vengeance for George’s previous attempts to undermine him, alongside the destruction of one of George’s heroin labs. As George turns to Dry Eye for answers, it becomes evident he is playing a dangerous game, and Dry Eye is prepared to strike back.
Fletcher’s investigation hits a pivotal moment when he uncovers collusion between Dry Eye and Berger, presenting Raymond with incriminating audio recordings of their conspiracy. This startling revelation reveals the extent of the treachery at play, laying the groundwork for an inevitable confrontation.
As the narrative unfolds, Fletcher creates a bridge back to Mickey and Rosalind’s lives, revealing their imminent danger as Dry Eye confronts Rosalind in a tense pub showdown. With Raymond thwarting the impending threat, the couple must summon every ounce of resourcefulness to outmaneuver their enemies, including finding a hidden weapon within a seemingly innocuous gift.
In a culmination of deceit and desperation, Mickey finds himself face-to-face with Berger, whose frantic proposals only serve to infuriate him further. In an empowered stance, Mickey demands retribution for Dry Eye’s violent transgressions against his wife, pushing Berger into a corner until he capitulates to Mickey’s terms.
As Fletcher returns to Raymond’s grounds to reclaim his payment, he realizes he himself is being surveilled, leading to a chilling confrontation highlighted by Fletcher’s alliance with Aslan’s father, a formidable figure in the Russian KGB. The reality of Mickey’s predicament becomes increasingly dire, creating a web of chaos and retribution that spirals ever deeper.
In the climax of events, Coach proves his worth by eliminating threats at Raymond’s home, while the Toddlers take on brutal vengeance for Mickey. As the stakes intensify, Mickey’s survival hangs in the balance. With Fletcher pitching his explosive account to Miramax, he unwittingly seals his fate just as Mickey strategizes his next move, plotting for salvation while reveling in newfound freedom with Rosalind, encapsulating the essence of their hard-fought journey.
Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:33
Still wondering what the ending of The Gentlemen (2020) 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 Gentlemen” reveals how Eddie and Susie, after navigating through a web of deception, violence, and betrayal, manage to come out on top. Throughout the series, both characters face threats from rival drug gangs, greedy family members, and scheming outsiders like Stanley Johnston. In the final moments, Eddie pulls a clever move to outsmart Johnston by faking his bid to buy the marijuana business and secretly exposing Johnston’s tax evasion to the authorities, leading to Johnston’s arrest. Meanwhile, Bobby Glass, the powerful drug lord, reveals he never intended to sell his empire but orchestrated the entire plan to keep Eddie and Susie fully invested in the business, ensuring their compliance and loyalty. Eddie, having killed Henry Collins and secured ownership, effectively becomes a stakeholder in the drug enterprise, blurring the lines between legality and crime. The series concludes with Bobby and Stanley Johnston in prison, hinting at ongoing alliances, while Eddie and Susie are poised to take control of the empire, hinting at future power plays. Ultimately, the ending underscores how cunning and ruthlessness—combined with a bit of luck—are vital to survival in this dangerous world, leaving open the possibility of more battles and schemes ahead.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Gentlemen 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 Gentlemen is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
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