Uncut Gem

The movie opens with Ethiopian miners extracting an uncut black opal from the earth. The camera zooms inside the rough to reveal the valuable gem hidden within the rock. This discovery sets in motion the series of events that follow, as Howard secures the opal for his dealings.

In 2012, Howard Ratner acquires the uncut opal after months of effort, valuing it at around one million dollars. He plans to sell it at an esteemed auction house to pay off debts and fund his gambling habits. This moment marks the start of his obsession with the gem.

Howard shows the opal to Kevin Garnett, the basketball star, who quickly takes a liking to it. KG wants to take the opal for luck during his next game, but Howard, hesitant, takes KG’s championship ring as collateral for the moment. This adds another layer to Howard's risky dealings.

Howard sells KG’s ring to a pawn shop and places a significant bet on KG’s game that night, hoping to win enough money to buy back his collateral. His gambling addiction drives him to gamble away his assets in pursuit of quick profits.

At his daughter’s school play, Howard notices Phil, an associate of Arno, sitting nearby. After trying to confront him, Howard is forcibly dragged into the back of Phil’s SUV, where his watch and clothes are taken. He calls Dinah for help, humiliating her in the process.

Howard rushes to retrieve the opal from Kevin Garnett, who now has it. However, Demany informs him that KG wants to keep the gem, delaying Howard’s plans. Howard’s obsession with owning the opal intensifies as he tracks it across the city.

Howard finds Julia and The Weeknd using drugs in a club bathroom. When he discovers them together, he violently assaults The Weeknd, leading to a heated argument with Julia. This causes Julia to leave him, escalating his personal turmoil.

Howard’s extended family gathers for Passover at Dinah’s father Gooey’s house. It’s revealed that Arno is Dinah's brother-in-law. Howard shares his plans for the opal, suggesting he’s confident about its value, but the family tensions remain palpable.

Howard takes the opal to auction, only to find its appraised value closer to 200,000 than the expected million. KG bids to buy it, but the price doesn’t rise enough, and Howard’s attempt to inflate the bid with Gooey fails, resulting in a devastating loss.

Howard, devastated by the auction loss, faces confrontations with Arno and Phil outside the auction. After a violent beating, Howard returns to his office, where Demany discovers Howard has been selling fake watches to cover debts, marking his downward spiral.

Kevin Garnett approaches Howard with a cash offer of $175,000 for the opal, but Howard refuses, insisting it will sell for a higher price at auction. Howard prepares to make a final move to secure his fortune, showing renewed confidence.

Howard takes KG’s cash and secretly places it on KG’s game, betting everything in his desperation to turn his luck around. His gamble pays off, and he wins over a million dollars, bringing a fleeting moment of joy and hope.

Overjoyed with his winnings, Howard calls Julia to celebrate. Suddenly, Phil shoots him in the face, killing him instantly. Phil and his cohort proceed to rob the store, leading to chaos as Howard’s dreams of wealth implode in violence.

Howard bleeds out on the floor, with the camera zooming into his face to reveal the black opal within, symbolizing the culmination of his obsession and downfall. The story ends with a haunting reminder of his tragic fate.