The Player

Griffin Mill is a studio executive responsible for reviewing screenwriter pitches and green-lighting films. Each year, he only approves about 12 out of 50,000 submissions, underscoring the competitive and cutthroat nature of Hollywood.

The arrival of Larry Levy, a rising story executive, threatens Griffin's position at the studio. Levy's talent and fresh ideas put additional pressure on Mill as he struggles to maintain his dominance in the industry.

Griffin starts receiving death-threatening postcards, believed to be from a rejected screenwriter. The anxiety of the threats leads Mill to investigate potential suspects among those he's turned down.

Griffin claims to identify David Kahane, a rejected writer, as the sender of the threats and attempts to engage him. Despite his feigned interest in Kahane's work, the situation escalates when Mill is publicly called out for his deceit.

After a heated argument in the parking lot, Griffin and Kahane engage in a physical altercation. In a moment of panic, Mill accidentally kills Kahane, staging the death to look like a robbery to cover his crime.

The day after the murder, Griffin attends David Kahane's funeral and interacts with June, Kahane's girlfriend. June is isolated from other mourners, creating a connection between her and Mill amidst the grim atmosphere.

Mill's participation in the investigation into Kahane's murder intensifies as he becomes a person of interest. Detectives Avery and DeLongpre question him, leading Mill to feel increasingly cornered by the situation.

While waiting for a meeting with the enigmatic writer sending him postcards, Griffin faces two other screenwriters pitching a new film. After the meeting is missed, Mill receives a fax warning him about a deadly surprise in his car.

After a brush with death, Griffin realizes his feelings for June and decides to pursue a deeper relationship. He convinces Bonnie to leave town, allowing him the chance to take June to an awards banquet.

Feeling threatened by Larry Levy's ambitions, Griffin invites him to help with a new script. He devises a plan to sabotage the film, hoping that a failure will allow him to reclaim his status at the studio.

Griffin and June escape to a secluded spa, where their relationship deepens. During their time away, they consummate their romance, marking a turning point in Mill's personal life.

Griffin faces a precarious situation when an eyewitness to Kahane's murder comes forward. His luck holds when the witness fails to identify him in the police lineup, temporarily absolving him of suspicion.

A year later, Griffin's manipulations come to fruition as the reworked film 'Habeas Corpus' premieres with a positive reception from studio executives. Mill has now risen to power, fulfilling his ambitions.

As June now expects their child, Griffin finds himself facing opposition from Bonnie, who is fired for her objections to the changes in studio plans. This shift complicates Griffin's professional and personal dynamics.

In a twist of fate, Griffin receives a pitch from a man revealing himself as the mysterious postcard writer. The script's premise mirrors his own dark deeds, hinting at potential blackmail in their exchange.