The Ringer

Steve Barker is promoted at his company and is forced to fire his friend Stavi, a hardworking immigrant janitor. He reluctantly does so but then offers Stavi a job around his apartment to keep him employed. The firing sets off a chain of difficult moral choices for Steve as he tries to balance loyalty and opportunity.

While working around Steve's apartment, Stavi loses three fingers in a lawnmower accident. He reveals that he does not have health insurance, triggering Steve's vow to raise 28,000 dollars within two weeks for surgery. The urgent need forces Steve to pursue a drastic plan to save his friend's hand.

Steve's Uncle Gary confesses a $40,000 gambling debt and suggests they fix the Special Olympics in San Marcos, Texas to solve both of their problems. The scheme would let Gary place a large bet on the outcome. Steve is reluctant but begins to consider the high-stakes plan as a possible path to help Stavi.

Steve enters the Special Olympics under the guise of 'Jeffy Dahmor,' a high-functioning young man with a developmental disability. He hopes to influence the results, anticipating that Jimmy Washington will not win. Gary bets $100,000 that Jimmy will lose, raising the pressure on Steve and the plan.

During the competition, Steve starts to fall for Lynn, a volunteer. Their growing connection complicates his ruse and adds personal stakes to the scheme. The romance also deepens Steve's emotional conflict about what he is risking for Stavi.

Six other contestants see through Steve's act, challenging the deception. He chooses to tell them the truth about Stavi and why he got involved in the first place. The group reacts with a mix of anger, surprise, and reluctant sympathy, reshaping the competition's dynamics.

The contestants urge Steve to stay and help Stavi despite the deception. He agrees, forming an unlikely alliance with the participants who want to see Jimmy lose and to support his friend. Together they begin training and supporting each other for the finals.

Steve befriends the other contestants and encourages Thomas to pursue a girl he likes, even taking the group to see Dirty Dancing. He also discovers that Lynn is seeing David, and that David has been cheating, which strains his relationship with Lynn.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Steve confesses his deception in a church, but the priest rejects him, even punching him out of the confession booth. The brutal moment deepens Steve's sense of shame and resolve to make things right. He contemplates whether to continue with the ruse or come clean.

In the final competition, Glen wins first while Steve finishes third behind Jimmy. At the medal ceremony, Steve reveals that he is not developmentally disabled and shares his real name, expressing accountability for his actions. He even gives his medal to Thomas, who finished fourth.

Lynn is upset and rebuffs Steve after the revelation, while Uncle Gary still wins the bet because Jimmy's loss satisfies the condition. The fallout underscores the personal cost of Steve's deception and the fragile nature of trust.

Six months later, Steve quits his job and begins a career in theater, producing a play with his friends and Stavi, who has had his fingers reattached. The new path centers on friendship, art, and the possibility of redemption.

Lynn forgives Steve after learning from Stavi why he pretended to be developmentally disabled, and the two share a kiss. The reconciliation signals emotional healing and a hopeful future together.

In the mid-credits scene, Steve and his friends dance onstage with the Kids of Widney High as they perform the song 'Respect.' The upbeat moment provides a playful coda and celebrates the community they've built.