Sam Larson, portrayed by Kevin James, is a solitary figure who has penned a fictional novel titled Memoirs of an International Assassin, but he struggles to find the perfect conclusion, particularly the notable final line. By day, he endures the relentless demands of his boss, who insists he sacrifice his weekends and personal time for work.
After confiding in his friend Amos, played by Ron Rifkin, about his writer's block, he is regaled with a bizarre tale of an assassin known as Ghost. This character, a Mossad operative, was recruited by the British in 1988 to eliminate a Venezuelan general before making a daring escape via helicopter. Despite the helicopter being shot down, the agent manages to survive, allegedly living in hiding. Inspired, Larson weaves these details into his manuscript. However, unbeknownst to him, the novel is subsequently published online by Kylie Applebaum, leading it to be falsely marketed as nonfiction under the title True Memoirs of an International Assassin. The unapproved alterations leave Larson feeling exposed, fearing that people may assume he is a real-life assassin.
Tensions rise as Amos, furious with Larson for disregarding his warning about the Ghost, confronts him. Amidst the unfolding chaos, Kylie arranges for Larson to appear on a live interview with Katie Couric. Overwhelmed by nerves, Larson falters midway through the segment.
His book skyrockets to bestseller status, drawing unwanted attention. Larson finds himself kidnapped and transported to Venezuela, where he meets the revolutionary El Toro, played by Andy García. El Toro mistakenly believes Larson’s novel is based on reality and presses him to carry out an assassination against Venezuela’s President Miguel Cueto, portrayed by Kim Coates. Initially met with skepticism by Juan, El Toro's associate, Larson is taken to Caracas to spy on the President and devise a plan.
The CIA agents Cobb and Cleveland monitor the situation, dismissing Larson's chances for survival. After a daring escape from Juan and an unexpected encounter with corrupt policemen—who turn out to be henchmen of gangster Anton Masovich—Larson finds himself saved by DEA agent Rosa Bolivar, played by Zulay Henao, who has been tracking the drug trafficking operations linked to Masovich.
As events unfold, Masovich pressures Larson into assassinating El Toro, threatening him if he fails to comply. Chaos ensues as General Ruiz, portrayed by Yul Vazquez, seeks to determine Larson's true intentions while both CIA and military forces close in.
In a series of intense confrontations, Larson is forced to play both sides, developing a precarious alliance with Bolivar, who has her own vendetta against Masovich. Their plans go awry, leading to explosive confrontations where loyalties and lives hang in the balance. Ultimately, in a climactic showdown, Larson embraces his unexpected role as a hero, battling against the oppressive forces around him.
In a twist of fate, as Larson and Bolivar jump from a helicopter after defeating El Toro, they narrowly escape the clutches of General Ruiz, only to face one last threat: the true identity of the Ghost, revealed to him by Amos in a surprising act of heroism months later.
Fast forward six months, and Juan has ascended to the presidency of Venezuela, prompting concern from the CIA agents about his newfound power. As for Larson, he has ventured into new territories as a bestselling author, blending real experiences with fiction in his published works. During another TV interview with Katie Couric, when grilled about the authenticity of his stories, Larson laughs it off, declaring, "It's just a work of fiction"—a testament to the wild journey he has endured.
