Ashby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teen angst meets geriatric assassin next door, leading to a bizarre mentorship that involves football, forgiveness, and a whole lot of questionable moral choices.

🍿 Ashby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

New Kid, New Town

Ed Wallis, a thoughtful and somewhat awkward seventeen-year-old, moves to a new town with his mother, June, following his parents’ divorce. He struggles to fit in and find his place in a new high school dominated by football culture. Ed joins the football team to connect with his absent father, despite his own intellectual inclinations.

The Unlikely Friendship

As part of a school assignment, Ed is tasked with interviewing an elderly person. He meets his neighbor, Ashby Holt, a seemingly unassuming older man. Ashby reveals himself to be a retired CIA assassin with a terminal illness, offering Ed an unconventional perspective on life, death, and morality. Their friendship blossoms as Ashby mentors Ed, helping him navigate his personal challenges.

Ashby’s Past Catches Up

Ashby decides to reconcile with his past by targeting former associates who betrayed him and violated his moral code during his time with the CIA. He enlists Ed, unknowingly at first, as his driver and confidant. As Ed learns more about Ashby’s past, he grapples with the morality of Ashby’s actions and his own complicity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ashby Holt (Mickey Rourke): A terminally ill, retired CIA assassin who befriends a teenager while trying to make peace with his past.
• Ed Wallis (Nat Wolff): A seventeen-year-old high school student who forms an unlikely friendship with his neighbor, Ashby.
• Eloise (Emma Roberts): A quirky and intellectual classmate who becomes Ed’s love interest.
• June Wallis (Sarah Silverman): Ed’s insecure and sexually active mother who is trying to make new friends.
• Coach Bruton (Kevin Dunn): The gruff and demanding football coach at Ed’s new high school.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ashby Holt: “I guess, Eddy, I should say something profound, these being my last words more or less. I got nothin’. Well I guess; be careful of who and what you believe in.” – Ashby imparts some final wisdom to Ed, reflecting on life’s important lessons as he approaches his end.
• Ashby Holt: “Find someone who you love fiercely and who loves you back the same way. And you treat them well and you know it’s of value.” – Ashby reflects on what truly matters in life, urging Ed to cherish love and relationships.
• Ashby Holt: “You shouldn’t be scared of the world Ed Wallis. I kinda suspect the world should be scared of you.” – Ashby encourages Ed to embrace his potential and face the world with confidence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,631
• Worldwide Gross: $122,919

💥 Ashby Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Ashby’ surprisingly touching! It’s not perfect, but the chemistry between Nat Wolff and Mickey Rourke really sold the unlikely friendship. The scene where Ashby teaches Ed how to take a punch actually made me tear up a bit, and I was pleasantly surprised at the emotional depth.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories with a dark comedic edge”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with unconventional mentor-mentee relationships”
  • “Fans of Mickey Rourke’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes including violence and terminal illness”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Brief suggestive content”
  • “Depiction of murder”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “While ‘Ashby’ treads familiar ground with its coming-of-age narrative, Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of a conflicted ex-CIA killer brings a unique edge. The film balances dark humor and heartfelt moments, making it a worthwhile watch if you’re looking for something different.
• Soap Opera Spy: “A touching movie with moments of humour, this is a story about an unlikely friendship between a teen and an aging assassin. It’s predictable in places and it isn’t likely to rock your world, but it might give you a new perspective on life.

Audience Reactions

Mickey Rourke’s performance as the weary assassin was a standout.: Viewers praised the unexpected humor and the emotional core of the film.

Many felt the movie had a unique charm that defied typical coming-of-age tropes.: Audiences appreciated the fresh take on the mentorship dynamic.

Overall Consensus: A quirky, heartfelt dramedy with strong performances, although some found the plot predictable and the subplots underdeveloped.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film blends elements of coming-of-age stories with a dark, comedic twist, exploring themes of mortality and moral redemption.”
• “Director Tony McNamara, known for ‘The Great,’ brings a quirky sensibility to the film, balancing teen angst with a retired assassin’s existential crisis.”
• “While the film features action elements, it primarily focuses on the relationship between the two main characters and their personal journeys.”
• “Filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, ‘Ashby’ aimed for a realistic portrayal of suburban life juxtaposed with the extraordinary circumstances of its characters.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ashby?

As of October 2024, ‘Ashby’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary by region. It is not currently available on subscription services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ashby, you might like these similar films:

• St. Vincent (2014): Similar in its unlikely friendship between a young boy and a grumpy, unconventional older man, exploring themes of guidance and personal growth.
• Grosse Pointe Blank (1997): Shares the dark comedy and assassin themes, blending action with introspective character moments.
• Harold and Maude (1971): Explores an unconventional relationship between a young man and an older individual, challenging societal norms and expectations.
• The Art of Self-Defense (2019): Presents a dark comedy about a young man who finds an unlikely mentor, providing a modern twist on the coming-of-age story.

🛒 Ashby Related Products

• Ashby Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official ‘Ashby’ movie poster, perfect for fans of Mickey Rourke and coming-of-age films. This poster captures the essence of the movie’s unique style and makes a great addition to any collection.
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Model Car: A detailed diecast model of the classic Oldsmobile Cutlass featured in ‘Ashby’. This is a must-have for car enthusiasts and fans of the film, capturing the vintage vibe and iconic style of the movie.
• “Ashby” – Movie-Inspired Graphic T-Shirt: Show your love for ‘Ashby’ with a graphic t-shirt featuring a memorable quote or image from the film. Made from high-quality, comfortable fabric, this t-shirt is a stylish way to celebrate your favorite movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Happy Just to Be Alive” – performed by Christopher Blue

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rest In Peace Lew Ashby (HD)

Lew Ashby was such a memorable character, wasn’t he? This tribute perfectly captures his essence with some great music – definitely worth a watch if you miss him as much as I do!

Every Season of Californication Ranked

Ever wondered which season of Californication was actually the BEST? This video breaks down all the seasons, and some of their points are spot on. See if you agree!

Lew Ashby Needs A Bigger Theme For Hank Moody

Hank Moody and Lew Ashby scenes were awesome, right? This short video compiles a few clips of them. Check this out!

✨ Rate