Private security expert Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), who once held a top-tier reputation as a bodyguard in the European Union while also being a former CIA officer, finds himself in a precarious situation when he is assigned to protect Takashi Kurosawa, a Japanese arms dealer. Bryce's responsibility entails escorting Takashi and his two wives to his private airplane. Although everything seems to be going smoothly, tragedy strikes as Takashi is brutally shot through the airplane window at the last second, leaving Bryce utterly helpless to prevent the horrific event.
Fast forward two years, Bryce has seen his career take a nosedive. Now, he barely scrapes by, guarding drug-dependent corporate figures like Mr. Seifert (Richard E. Grant) in London under the motto "boring is always best." After completing each task, he reluctantly calls upon a clean-up crew to dispose of any threats he has eliminated along the way.
Meanwhile, the ruthless dictator of Belarus, Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), is put on trial for his heinous crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. This tyrant has methodically silenced all opposition within his own country, leading to the unforgivable act of eliminating the family of Professor Asimov (Rod Hallett), who dared to criticize him in writing. With no physical evidence to pin on him and witnesses getting assassinated, the prosecution struggles to build a case against Dukhovich, who is accused of committing genocide on a grand scale.
In a shocking twist, the only hope left for the prosecution hinges on the notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (played by Samuel L. Jackson), who finds himself imprisoned but willing to testify in exchange for the release of his wife Sonia (Salma Hayek). Kincaid, a contract killer with a long rap sheet, understands the gravity of his predicament but insists on securing Sonia’s freedom above all else.
Interpol's Assistant Director Jean Foucher (Joaquim de Almeida) and Director Renata Casoria (Tine Joustra) task Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung), an inexperienced agent and Bryce's former romantic interest, to oversee Kincaid’s transport. With only 27 hours to get Kincaid to The Hague, a convoy made up of a team of elite Interpol agents embarks on the journey. However, disaster strikes when the convoy is ambushed in Coventry, resulting in the deaths of everyone except for Kincaid and Roussel.
The two manage to escape and find refuge in a safe house, where Kincaid tends to his injuries. Realizing they have been betrayed from within Interpol, Roussel reaches out to Bryce, hoping for an ally. Although he holds Roussel partly responsible for the previous mishap involving Kurosawa—a situation that had left him heartbroken—Bryce ultimately decides to lend his expertise in exchange for the chance to restore his tarnished reputation.
As they navigate their distrust and personal grievances, Bryce and Kincaid form an uneasy alliance and strategize their escape to The Hague. Meanwhile, Dukhovich’s thugs are closing in, and chaos ensues when they attack the safe house. Amid all this, the tension escalates when Sonia is taken prisoner in Amsterdam, leading to an emergency response from both Roussel and Bryce as they attempt to thwart Dukhovich’s plans.
With constant twists and unforeseen challenges, Bryce and Kincaid find themselves in a relentless fight for survival as they journey toward the court proceedings in The Hague, battling enemies and their own pasts. Kincaid’s testimony unveils the dark deeds of Dukhovich, leading to an explosive courtroom showdown. Ultimately, when it seems like all hope is lost, bravery and unexpected alliances lead to a thrilling climax where loyalties are tested and justice is pursued.
In a dramatic conclusion, Bryce manages to reclaim his dignity and rekindle his romance with Roussel, while Kincaid also faces the consequences of his past but finds a way to celebrate his love with Sonia once again. As the dust settles, the narrative encapsulates themes of redemption, loyalty, and the enduring power of love in the most tumultuous circumstances.
