No Sudden Move

The 2021 American crime thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh is set in 1954 Detroit and follows gangster Curt Goynes (Don Cheadle), who, in need of cash, agrees to a dubious job alongside fellow criminals Ronald Russo (Benicio del Toro) and Charley (Kieran Culkin). They are tasked with holding the family of General Motors accountant Matt Wertz (David Harbour) hostage while Wertz retrieves a secret document. The plan unravels when Charley attempts to kill the family, prompting Goynes to shoot him. Realizing they've been set up, Goynes and Russo delve deeper to uncover the true value of the document, which turns out to be blueprints for a catalytic converter—a technology that could revolutionize the auto industry. Their quest entangles them with various crime bosses, including Frank Capelli (Ray Liotta) and Aldrick Watkins (Bill Duke), as well as corporate interests represented by Mike Lowen (Matt Damon). The film explores themes of betrayal, greed, and corruption, illustrating how small-time criminals can become embroiled in larger conspiracies. In the end, after a series of double-crosses and betrayals, Goynes declines a large sum of money, opting instead for the agreed-upon $5,000, and leaves the city, distancing himself from a world mired in corruption and violence.