The Hit List

The Hit List

Year: 2011

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: William Kaufman

ThrillerAction

A bitter man drunkenly teams up with a stranger to compile a hit list, only to watch the names begin turning up dead. As the bodies pile up and suspicion falls on him, he must race against time to protect the people he inadvertently condemned.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Hit List 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!

The Hit List (2011) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Hit List (2011), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Allan Campbell, a once hopeful engineer from Spokane, Washington, endures the worst day of his life as he comes home to a devastating betrayal. After being passed over for a well-deserved promotion, he discovers his wife Sydney Campbell in the arms of his best friend Mike Dodd. The shock is amplified by the looming threat of a shady Mexican business partner, Dom Estacado, who continues to coerce and manipulate him. Complicating matters further, his colleague Brian Felzner looms as a rival for the coveted promotion, leaving Allan feeling boxed in from every side.

Seeking refuge from the crushing day, Allan drowns his sorrows at a dimly lit bar, where a stranger named Jonas Arbor appears with an offer that seems too tempting to ignore. In a swirl of drunken honesty, Allan shares the details of his life’s grievances, and Jonas paints a chilling possibility: if there are people who have wronged him, maybe there exists a way to remove them from his world. Jonas, who reveals he is a contract killer, suggests targeting those who caused Allan pain as a path to the vengeance he craves. Under the haze of alcohol, Allan scribbles a list of five names, a list that reads like a countdown to danger, including his wife and best friend, his creditors, and the powerful men who have shaped his fate. The moment he steps away, Jonas vanishes, leaving behind only a cryptic bar napkin and a tremor of fear that won’t easily fade.

Morning breaks with a brutal confirmation that one of Allan’s targets, Drake Ford, has been found murdered in his home. The reality hits hard: Jonas was not merely talking; the threats have become real, and Allan is suddenly a marked man caught between the killer’s clock and the law’s search for answers. With his own life at stake, Allan makes a desperate bid to warn the remaining people on his list, even as the police grow increasingly involved.

Led by detective Neil McKay, the pursuit tightens around Allan and Jonas in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. The investigation shifts into high gear as the hunt for Jonas intensifies, and the film tracks the mounting tension between those who want justice and a killer who seems to be always one step ahead. The stakes rise with every passing hour, and the chances of survival for Allan and the other figures linked to the list become thinner.

Cornered by fear and driven by a stubborn will to survive, Allan decides to confront Jonas head-on, seeking to end the nightmare before more lives are drawn into the bloodbath. As the clock runs down, the confrontation between hunter and target looms large, and the story builds to a tense, violent showdown. The contract reaches its brutal conclusion, leaving behind a trail of scars and a truth that cannot be forgotten, reshaping the fates of everyone involved and testing the limits of revenge, loyalty, and the human need for closure.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:59

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Hit List

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Hit List 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 Hit List is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Hit List Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Hit List with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Hit List Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hit List

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Hit List. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hit List

The Hit List Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Hit List that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Hit List Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Hit List

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Hit List: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Hit List