The Punisher

Five years before the present, a Mafia car bomb intended for Frank Castle kills his wife Julie and his two daughters. Frank is presumed dead in the blast. The tragedy seeds his transformation into the vigilante known as The Punisher.

In the ensuing years, Castle becomes the city's infamous vigilante and operates from a labyrinth of sewers. He has assassinated 125 mobsters, not counting henchmen, earning his skull-engraved throwing knives. His existence strikes fear into the underworld.

Shake, a stage-performer turned derelict, becomes Frank's sole ally in his war against organized crime. He speaks in rhyme and maintains a wary, streetwise rapport with Frank.

Gianni Franco, the crime kingpin, is forced out of retirement by the Punisher's guerrilla warfare and admits ordering the car bomb that killed Castle's family. He seeks to unify the decimated Mafia families again by restoring control. The new power play deepens the blood feud.

The Yakuza, led by Lady Tanaka, decide to seize control of the Mafia's interests and push their agenda. They kidnap the mobsters' children to ransom them and coerce obedience. This move escalates the war between the criminal factions.

Shake pleads with the Punisher to rescue the children, warning that they will be sold into the Arab slave trade if they are not saved. The Punisher begins targeting Yakuza businesses to pressure the syndicate. The clock is ticking as the children remain in danger.

The Punisher attacks Yakuza businesses and warns that every day the children are missing costs the criminals money. The violence intensifies as both sides prepare for a confrontation.

The Yakuza capture Frank and Shake and attempt to torture them into submission. Frank breaks free and resolves to a direct rescue mission. He saves most of the children and commandeers a bus to evacuate them.

Before the rescue, Gianni Franco's son Tommy had been taken to the Yakuza headquarters. His capture adds a personal stake to the mission.

Police intercept the bus and arrest Frank after he saves the children. In custody, an old partner warns that his many killings will likely earn him execution. Frank is ambivalent, claiming that he is already dead.

Franco breaks Frank out of custody to aid him in saving his son and destroying Lady Tanaka’s plans. The breakout signals a return to action for both men.

Franco and the Punisher raid the Yakuza headquarters and kill Lady Tanaka. Franco betrays the Punisher during the showdown, turning his back at a critical moment. The Punisher defends himself and kills Franco in retaliation.

Tommy Franco confronts the Punisher after his father's death but cannot bring himself to kill him. Castle warns him to grow up to be a good man and reject his father's misdeeds.

Police arrive to find no trace of The Punisher. In his lair, Castle declares that he will be waiting in the shadows.