The film narrates the story of Ousmane Diakhité (Omar Sy), a rebellious chief in the Paris crime division, and his former friend, François Monge (Laurent Lafitte), a self-absorbed deputy chief of the district judicial police. This dynamic duo reunites for a gripping investigation into a murder case in Valergnes, following the events of the original film, On the Other Side of the Tracks from 2012.
Chief Ousmane, known for his unorthodox methods, is willing to take extreme measures to accomplish his objectives. His reckless nature is showcased in the film’s opening sequence, where he and his partner, Djimo, burst into an underground boxing venue to apprehend notorious criminal Jordan Diaz. Displaying a false bravado, Ousmane attempts to arrest the muscular Diaz without waiting for backup, resulting in a chaotic scene that is caught on camera. After finally apprehending him, Ousmane's superior chastises him for being unmanageable and obsessive, yet refrains from disciplinary actions due to his surging popularity on social media. In a twist, the police department seeks to exploit his image as a public relations tool because of his background, but Ousmane, indifferent to their agendas, adamantly rejects their offer.
Conversely, François Monge finds himself in a therapist's office, grappling with his colleagues' concerns regarding his inflated sense of superiority and overall liability to the department. With charm, he tries to win his therapist over, even while admitting to failing the police chief's exam three times and being denied a transfer to the criminal division on five occasions.
The plot thickens when Monge stumbles upon a severed body while at the Lyon train station. Here, he unexpectedly encounters Ousmane, suggesting a fracture in their friendship dating back to Ousmane passing the police chief's exam while Monge failed, despite his privileged background. News of the other half of the body, belonging to Kevin Marchal, leads Ousmane to Valergnes, where he reluctantly allows Monge to accompany him after some persuasion involving Monge’s family's connections.
Upon arrival in Valergnes, the two cops meet Deputy Captain Alice Gauthier (Izïa Higelin), who brings them to the morgue. They learn about the gruesome manner in which Kevin was killed — shot twice with evidence suggesting a bisection using a sharp, heated object. The investigation unfolds as Ousmane deduces that Kevin was pursued before his fatal accident, prompting them to investigate further.
At Kevin's residence, Ousmane uncovers a hidden lab where Kevin produced methamphetamine known as Pervitin, a fact unbeknownst to his mother. Ousmane's inquiries lead him to Jessica, Kevin's friend and girlfriend, but things take a dangerous turn when Monge and Ousmane confront Carl Muller, a racist man with ties to white supremacy. The confrontation becomes deadly when Monge fatally uses a taser gun on Carl, revealing a deep network tied to a controversial security company called Securitec.
As the investigation takes several twists and turns, Ousmane and Monge pursue leads that suggest the involvement of Antoine Brunner (Dimitri Storoge), the racist mayor of the district, and his outwardly nefarious plans. They soon discover a horrifying plot to commit acts of violence against immigrants, instigated by Brunner and his associates.
The tension escalates as Ousmane and Monge race against time to thwart Brunner's plans while navigating their complicated history and reestablishing their camaraderie. The film reaches its climax as they confront Brunner and his followers, leading to a dramatic showdown where they save the targeted immigrant center from disaster.
Through their ordeal, Ousmane and Monge manage to mend their friendship, with Ousmane seeking to ensure Monge receives the acknowledgment he has long deserved. He contacts Benoit Meaux, the communications director, urging for Monge to take the spotlight instead of himself, resulting in Monge finally getting the recognition he has yearned for. Thus, in The Takedown, we see a tale of friendship, justice, and redemption that unfolds amidst a backdrop of crime and conspiracy.
