War on Everyone Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two very bad cops decide to fight crime by becoming bigger criminals until an even bigger criminal shows up, leading to a philosophical crisis…maybe.

🍿 War on Everyone: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Corrupt Cops in Albuquerque

Detectives Terry Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård) and Bob Bolaño (Michael Peña) are two Albuquerque PD officers known for their unorthodox and often illegal methods. They routinely harass and blackmail criminals, operating with a seemingly reckless disregard for the law. Their behavior has landed them in trouble with their superior, Lt. Gerry Stanton (Paul Reiser), who warns them that their antics are on thin ice.

The Heist and a Dangerous Mastermind

The detectives learn about a planned heist and decide to muscle in, intending to rob the perpetrators after the fact. However, they soon realize that the mastermind behind the heist, Lord James Mangan (Theo James), is far more dangerous and powerful than they initially anticipated. This puts them in a precarious situation, as they find themselves dealing with someone far beyond their usual criminal dealings.

Complications and Relationships

As Terry and Bob navigate this dangerous game, personal relationships and complications arise. Terry begins a relationship with Jackie Hollis (Tessa Thompson), while Bob balances his corrupt lifestyle with his family. These relationships add another layer to the already complex situation as the detectives struggle to stay ahead of Mangan and maintain their own personal lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Det. Terry Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård): A hard-drinking, violent, and corrupt Albuquerque PD detective who skirts the line between law enforcement and criminal behavior.
• Bob Bolaño (Michael Peña): An Albuquerque PD detective and Terry’s partner, who is corrupt but seemingly more grounded with a family and quirky philosophical comments.
• Lord James Mangan (Theo James): A wealthy and dangerous British crime lord who becomes the target of Terry and Bob’s schemes.
• Jackie Hollis (Tessa Thompson): A former stripper who becomes Terry’s love interest, providing a glimpse of humanity within his corrupt world.
• Russell Birdwell (Caleb Landry Jones): An eccentric henchman involved in Lord James Mangan’s criminal activities.
• Lt. Gerry Stanton (Paul Reiser): The exasperated Lieutenant of the Albuquerque PD, constantly warning Terry and Bob about their reckless behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Terry Monroe: “If you hit a mime with your car, does he make a sound?” – Terry casually asks this question after seemingly running over a mime during a car chase, showcasing his dark humor.
• Bob Bolaño: “I’m not gonna lie to you, Terry. We’re not good guys.” – Bob makes this statement to Terry to make it clear that the two are not the good guys.
• Terry Monroe: “Do you know what would happen if I walked around calling people names? What do you think?” – Terry mentions this to Jackie. It’s implied that Terry has a racist attitude.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12 million
• Domestic Gross: $112,174
• Worldwide Gross: $698,036

💥 War on Everyone Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to like this movie more than I did. The premise of corrupt cops is always fun, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be shocking. Michael Peña is great as always, and Alexander Skarsgård surprised me with his comedic chops. But some scenes are so random that they completely throw off the movie’s flow. I laughed a few times, but overall, the movie felt like a missed opportunity.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate unconventional buddy cop movies”
  • “Those who enjoy films with morally ambiguous characters”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb User: “War on Everyone is a mixed bag. Some of the dark humor lands well, thanks to the chemistry between Skarsgård and Peña. However, the film struggles with pacing and a cohesive narrative, making it feel like a series of disconnected skits rather than a unified story. The edgy humor can be hit or miss, depending on your tolerance for offensive jokes.
• IMDb User: “Terrible. Not funny. There is no plot to follow, the story is a mess. The characters are uninteresting and not likable. I think this is one of the worst films I have ever seen and could not recommend it to anyone. This movie is a mess.
• IMDb User: “Hilariously funny in parts, strangely surreal in others, very enjoyable. Parts of the comedy had me laughing until I was nearly crying (the scene in Reykjavik was probably the best example). Personally, I really enjoyed this film, but it appealed to my sense of humour, which I fully accept may not be considered the norm.

Audience Reactions

The dark humor and over-the-top violence appealed to viewers who enjoy boundary-pushing comedy.: Many praised the chemistry between Michael Peña and Alexander Skarsgård.

Viewers who enjoyed the film found the soundtrack and Glen Campbell references particularly enjoyable.: Skarsgard shows some comedic chops, it’s a welcome departure.

Overall Consensus: War on Everyone is a divisive film; some appreciate its dark humor and unconventional style, while others find it offensive and lacking a coherent plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Garrett Hedlund was originally cast in the role of Terry Monroe, but dropped out three weeks before shooting began.”
• “Director John Michael McDonagh chose Alexander Skarsgård after seeing a YouTube video of him drunk at a football match, finding his energy perfect for the role of Terry.”

🖥️ How to Watch War on Everyone?

As of October 2024, “War on Everyone” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region. You can also find it on demand through cable providers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed War on Everyone, you might like these similar films:

• The Guard (2011): Also directed by John Michael McDonagh, this film features a similarly dark and irreverent sense of humor with a corrupt cop in a lead role.
• In Bruges (2008): Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, brother of John Michael, and a similar black comedy style, dealing with violence and dark themes.
• Bad Lieutenant (2009): Features a deeply corrupt and drug-addled cop pushed to the limits of morality.
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): A modern film that blends crime and dark humor, featuring witty dialogue and unconventional characters in a neo-noir setting.

🛒 War on Everyone Related Products

• Michael Peña Signed ‘End of Watch’ Movie Poster: A rare signed movie poster from ‘End of Watch,’ featuring Michael Peña, ideal for fans and collectors, showing the performance for what it could be.
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo Diecast Model (1970): A detailed diecast model of the 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Scale model to immortalize the memorable car from ‘War on Everyone’.
• Glen Campbell’s Greatest Hits: Enjoy a digital download of Glen Campbell’s most iconic songs, providing an emotional connection to the movie’s memorable scenes.
• Buddy Cops: The Ultimate Movie Collection (Blu-ray): A collection of the greatest buddy cop movies of all time. Includes Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, and of course, War On Everyone.

🎧 Soundtrack

War on Everyone features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory)” – performed by M.O.P.
• “Gentle on My Mind” – performed by Glen Campbell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Peña talk War on Everyone with James!

Ever wondered what Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Peña are like off-screen? This interview is hilarious! They sing Sia and share some wild stories—you’ve gotta see it!

War On Everyone reviewed by Mark Kermode

Thinking about watching War on Everyone? Mark Kermode’s review is a must-watch before you decide. He gets straight to the point and has some pretty interesting insights!

Interview Alexander Skarsgard & Michael Pena for WAR ON EVERYONE + being cops + TRUE BLOOD ending

Want the full scoop on ‘War on Everyone’ straight from Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Peña? This in-depth interview dives into their cop roles and even touches on ‘True Blood’!

✨ Rate