Da 5 Bloods Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Old dudes go back to ‘Nam for a mid-life crisis, some gold, and maybe a ghost or two.

🍿 Da 5 Bloods: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mission and the Gold

During the Vietnam War, a squad of Black US Army soldiers, known as the ‘Bloods’, are tasked with securing a crashed CIA plane. They discover a cache of gold bars intended as payment for local allies. The squad, led by Stormin’ Norman, decides to bury the gold with the intention of returning for it after the war. However, a fierce battle ensues, Norman is killed, and a napalm strike obliterates the landmarks, making the gold impossible to find.

Reunion and Return

Decades later, four of the surviving Bloods – Paul, Otis, Eddie, and Melvin – reunite in Ho Chi Minh City. Inspired by a recent landslide that uncovered the wreckage of the CIA plane, they decide to return to the jungle to find both the gold and Norman’s remains. They grapple with the lingering effects of the war and the challenges of navigating a changed Vietnam. Otis reconnects with a former lover, Tiên, who reveals he fathered her child.

Greed and Paranoia

Joined by Paul’s son, David, the Bloods venture into the Vietnamese countryside with a local guide. As they search for the gold, tensions rise within the group, fueled by paranoia and the resurfacing of old traumas. The film explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the complex relationships between the veterans. One of the Bloods, Paul, exhibits increasingly erratic behavior rooted in PTSD and his political views.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul (Delroy Lindo): A troubled Vietnam War veteran grappling with PTSD and guilt, whose paranoia and pro-Trump views create conflict within the group.
• Otis (Clarke Peters): A pragmatic and grounded Vietnam War veteran who seeks to reconcile with his past and reconnect with a former lover.
• David (Jonathan Majors): Paul’s concerned son, who joins the veterans on their return to Vietnam, hoping to mend his strained relationship with his father.
• Stormin’ Norman (Chadwick Boseman): The fallen squad leader of the Bloods, who serves as a moral compass and source of inspiration for the veterans.
• Desroche (Jean Reno): A French businessman who agrees to help the Bloods smuggle the gold, but ultimately betrays them for his own gain.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Stormin’ Norman: “If I die, and ya’ll don’t come back for this gold, I’m gonna haunt all you chickenshit motherfuckers!” – Norman jokingly threatens his squad before their fateful mission, foreshadowing their later quest.
• Paul: “We fought in an immoral war that wasn’t ours.” – Paul expresses the disillusionment and resentment felt by many soldiers, especially Black soldiers, during the Vietnam War.
• Otis: “Home is where you’re loved. I’m gonna make a home here with my family.” – Otis reflects on his connection to Vietnam and his newfound relationship with his daughter.
• Paul: “Donald Trump is my brother!” – Paul emphatically declares his support for Donald Trump, showcasing his character’s controversial and divisive political stance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $87 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Da 5 Bloods Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie really hit me hard. The way Spike Lee showed the flashbacks without de-aging the actors was jarring at first, but it really drove home the idea that these men are still living in the past. I especially loved Delroy Lindo’s performance; his character’s struggles with PTSD and paranoia felt so raw and real. The action scenes were intense, and the ending, though bittersweet, felt earned. Definitely a film that will stay with me for a while.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Spike Lee”
  • “Viewers interested in Vietnam War stories”
  • “Those seeking thought-provoking dramas”
  • “People interested in stories about Black experiences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Themes of PTSD and trauma”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Spike Lee delivers a sprawling, ambitious, and deeply felt film about the Vietnam War’s lasting impact on Black veterans, blending heist thriller with poignant reflections on race, trauma, and redemption.
• Rolling Stone: “A powerful and timely film, ‘Da 5 Bloods’ confronts the Vietnam War through the lens of Black soldiers seeking treasure and closure, elevated by Delroy Lindo’s searing performance.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Spike Lee’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’ is a bold, uneven, but ultimately moving exploration of the Vietnam War’s lingering wounds, told through the eyes of aging Black veterans searching for gold and reckoning with their past.

Audience Reactions

The performances, especially Delroy Lindo’s, were incredible and heartbreaking.: Viewers praised the film’s powerful performances, especially Delroy Lindo, and its unflinching look at the experiences of Black soldiers in Vietnam.

The mix of action, drama, and social commentary made it a thought-provoking experience.: Many appreciated the film’s blend of genres, which kept them engaged while also prompting reflection on important social issues.

Overall Consensus: A powerful and thought-provoking film that resonated deeply with audiences due to its strong performances, relevant themes, and Spike Lee’s signature directorial style.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Actor)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was Chadwick Boseman’s final film released during his lifetime. He filmed this and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ while undergoing cancer treatment.”
• “Spike Lee chose to use the same actors to portray the ‘Bloods’ in both the Vietnam War flashbacks and the present day, without using de-aging technology, to emphasize the lasting impact of the war on their minds and bodies.”
• “The film incorporates real historical footage and photographs to provide context and commentary on the Vietnam War and the experiences of African American soldiers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Da 5 Bloods?

Da 5 Bloods is exclusively available on Netflix. As a Netflix original film, it is not available for purchase on physical media or through other digital retailers like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Da 5 Bloods, you might like these similar films:

• Apocalypse Now (1979): Both films explore the psychological impact of the Vietnam War and feature a journey into the heart of darkness.
• Three Kings (1999): Similar theme of soldiers seeking hidden treasure in a war-torn region, grappling with moral dilemmas.
• The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948): Explores the themes of greed and the corrupting influence of gold, similar to the Bloods’ quest.
• Dead Presidents (1995): Focuses on the experiences of Black Vietnam War veterans and their struggles upon returning home to America.

🛒 Da 5 Bloods Related Products

• Da 5 Bloods Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official ‘Da 5 Bloods’ movie poster, perfect for fans of Spike Lee and collectors of film memorabilia.
• The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick [Blu-ray]: An in-depth documentary series providing comprehensive historical context for the Vietnam War, enhancing the understanding of the film’s themes.
• Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Vinyl): A classic vinyl record featuring the iconic ‘What’s Going On’ album, heavily featured in the film’s soundtrack.
• MAGA Hat – Donald Trump: Replica of the MAGA hat worn in the movie

🎧 Soundtrack

Da 5 Bloods features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – performed by Marvin Gaye
• “What’s Going On” – performed by Marvin Gaye
• “The End” – performed by The Doors

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

QMR: Guns Akimbo, Honey Boy, Da 5 Bloods, Becky, The Lovebirds & More!

Want a quick take on ‘Da 5 Bloods’? Chris Stuckmann gives his thoughts in this rapid-fire review alongside a few other movies. I don’t always agree with his takes, but he’s always interesting to listen to!

Spike Lee Discusses His New Film “Da 5 Bloods” | The View

Ever wondered what inspired Spike Lee to make ‘Da 5 Bloods’? He breaks it down in this interview on The View, also touching on the protests. Seriously, hearing directly from the director is always worth it!

Da 5 Bloods reviewed by Mark Kermode

Thinking of watching ‘Da 5 Bloods’? See what Mark Kermode thinks first! His reviews are always super insightful and well-reasoned, even if you don’t always agree with him.

5 bloods Delroy Lindo deep message #5bloods #bestperformance #monologue #epic

Delroy Lindo’s performance in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ is seriously something else! This monologue really blew me away – it’s raw, powerful, and definitely worth a watch.

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