Criminal Network (2023) Movie Script

[helicopter whirling]

[police siren blaring]

[tires screeching]

[engine humming]

[cars honking]

[sirens blaring]

[radio static]

[indistinct

police radio chatter]

[man grunting]

[engine thrumming]

[sirens blaring]

[man] It's time to go.

[sirens blaring]

[radio static]

[loud blast]

[man] Okay, Constable.

I'll take it from here.

[cars honking]

[pensive music playing]

[camera clicking]

You've been busy, James,

these last 48 hours.

We've been watching you.

Who are you? The police?

Would you prefer

to speak with them?

I'm sure Scotland Yard

will be more than willing

to accommodate you.

Well then,

I suppose you are stuck with us.

I wanna see him.

The emergency services

were too late.

Ryan is no longer with us.

He was too far gone

when we arrived.

Please take all the time

you need,

but we do need to know

everything that happened

from the beginning.

Well, I guess it all

goes back to two years ago.

[clock ticking]

[Simmons] This past year

has been great, Ryan, huh?

Safe to say, you've restored

my faith in teaching.

You remind me

a lot of myself, really.

We're the same, you and me.

You like to play,

and you play to win.

That's all there is, you know.

That's what business is, really.

It's a game.

[soft relaxing music playing]

Too bad a degree won't help me.

[Simmons chuckles]

You can't rely on yourself

more than a degree, Ryan.

I mean, your grades are the best

I've seen in a long time.

And you've made so much

more money, so I hear.

Don't believe

everything you hear.

Well, there's so much more

I would like to offer you.

I would like

to make you an offer.

You get your degree,

and in two years,

I'd like to offer you

a special internship

in one of my businesses.

First, get your degree.

And then, we'll see

how we get on together.

What do you say?

No.

Last investment I made

fell through.

I lost everything.

Can't afford

the tuition fees anymore,

so I'm no longer a student here.

Goodbye, Professor.

Ryan.

Ryan!

[music fades]

So, how did it go then?

Oh, man.

How did you lose it all

overnight?

[exhaling loudly]

What are you gonna do now?

Are you gonna get a loan?

"We regret to inform you

your loan application

has been denied."

Have you got any friends

that can lend you the money?

You are the closest thing

I've got to a friend,

and I don't even like you.

Well, there's gotta be

something you can do.

What about Professor Simmons?

No chance.

All available funding

has already been taken.

No one can help me.

[gun clicking]

[footsteps crunching]

[Cormac] You're late.

Doesn't look like I've

missed much. Where is he?

He won't be coming today.

In that case, you can

tell him we'll reschedule.

And next time,

please don't waste my time.

[Cormac]

You said you wanted out.

-He'd like to buy it from you.

-Seriously?

This isn't another one of

his stupid jokes

-he likes to play, is it?

-No.

You held up your end,

as you keep saying.

So, he is willing to offer

a price.

How much?

Half the current market value.

Half. Why would

I settle for half

when I could get the full

amount selling it as a pub?

You don't reckon

the price would be affected

if people knew what this place

was used for?

Don't even pretend

you'll let it slip

because you'll be the ones

that end up in prison.

Still playing

the innocent card, are we?

You knew what this place

was to be used for,

and yet you chose to ignore it.

I didn't see anything.

It's amazing

what people don't see

-when there's money involved.

-Look, I'm not stupid.

I know how much he's made here

and what he can afford.

The vans that keep coming in

in the early hours

of the morning?

I didn't have to keep

this place closed, you know.

You owe me.

You're right.

Without you, we wouldn't have

all what we have here today.

So, you'll tell him

I want the full asking price.

Otherwise, I'm selling

this place to someone else,

and you guys can pack your bags.

[pensive music playing]

[James] You know,

I've been thinking a lot lately

about how I've changed,

especially since graduating.

I thought I'd go on

to do great things, but...

it's been two years

since I've seen my brother now.

Well, with how I left things,

I don't know what

sort of trouble he's in.

I wish I could take it back.

I just didn't care at the time.

I wanted to live my life

to the fullest.

Just wish I could say sorry.

But it doesn't look like

that's gonna happen, though.

Anyway, time's up. Back to work.

It's good talking to you.

[paper wrapping scuffling]

[phone chimes]

[train chugging]

[pensive music continues]

♪

[indistinct announcement

over speakers]

[James] Got to admit, I was

surprised when you text me.

I thought--

You thought what?

I was expecting

the worst, you know?

Well, you're not far wrong.

Well, it's nice to know

you're not laying in

the gutter somewhere, at least.

Been there, done that.

Ryan, come on.

Can't be that bad, surely.

So, you said something about

needing my help.

-What was it?

-My job.

At the moment, I've been

doing it myself, but...

things are... different, and...

now I'm not too sure.

Okay. Doing what?

I can't really tell you.

I'd have to show you.

Whatever you need. Where is it?

I don't know yet.

Okay. When is it?

I don't know.

You don't know much

about this job, do you?

Are you sure you got a job?

I have to wait for a text.

It's all right. I was, uh,

I'm a bit short of money lately.

I was thinking maybe

I could stay at your place.

I-- I could take the sofa,

if that's all right with you.

-Whatever.

-[James] Oh, yeah.

And, uh, I didn't forget,

I just didn't

know where to send it.

I got you, uh, a birthday

present for last week.

Look, I called you here

because I need help with my job.

That's it.

I don't wanna know anything

about your personal life.

I don't wanna play

happy families.

And I certainly

don't want any piece of crap

you managed to afford for a day

that you

weren't even around for.

♪

Why does he seem

to resent you so much?

Well, a few years back,

me and Ryan came into

some inheritance money.

University seemed like

a good idea for the both of us.

I paid for the fees up front.

But Ryan...

he paid for

the fees in installments

and invested his money.

Seems awfully risky for someone

without any experience.

Not entirely.

I mean, he grew quite close

to one of the professors.

They'd talk all the time,

play games, do puzzles.

Ryan made a ton of money

with the professor.

And so, you fell out

over Ryan's success?

Not quite.

I borrowed some money from Ryan,

where he had so much of it.

I didn't think he'd noticed,

but when his investments

fell through,

he found out and he's

resented me for it ever since.

[cars honking]

[James] So, what's there

to do in London

while we wait for this text?

There's a natural history

museum.

Uh, pass on the skeletons

if that's all right with you,

-while I'm eating my lunch.

-I don't know.

I quite like looking at

the prehistoric human skulls.

Hobby?

Envy.

Well, I wouldn't envy them

too much. They're dead.

Yeah. But think

about how they died.

Not hooked up to machinery

with the thought of death

lingering in their mind.

No, they died in

the heat of conflict.

Adrenaline rushing through

their body.

I'll take that over

a hospital bed any day.

Yeah. Don't get too excited.

I only rent the top floor,

but there is a spare room.

[bed creaks]

[sentimental piano music]

[phone chimes]

[James] Are you sure

you got the right place?

That's the point, I suppose.

It's right where no one

would think to look.

But we can't go in yet.

Not until everybody's left.

So, how exactly

is this earning you money?

[Ryan] We'll find out.

Look, if you're

gonna steal something--

I'm not stealing anything.

Unlike you, I don't

take things that aren't mine.

You're still bringing that up?

If I still had that money,

I could've carried on.

But then you would've lost

even more.

[Ryan] So, that makes it yours,

does it?

-Is that what you're saying?

-Well, no. I'm not saying that.

I wouldn't have dropped out.

That money

would've kept me going

for at least another six months.

Look, what do you want me to do?

I've said I'm sorry.

Like, how many times

can I say I'm sorry?

I've spent the money.

If I had it, I'd give it to you.

What do you want me to do?

[Ryan] Well, you can

start by keeping a lookout

while I go in.

Ryan, it's been two years.

After all this time, I'm the

only person you can call?

You're still isolating yourself.

You got no friends.

What are you, a psychiatrist?

I had hoped something

would've changed, I suppose.

[train chugging]

[suspenseful music playing]

[phone chimes]

♪

[thud]

I'm in.

-What do you see?

-[Ryan] Tunnels.

Tunnels?

[Ryan] I'm going further in,

but I might lose the signal.

♪

[James] Ryan? Ryan?

There's people coming.

Just do what you need to do

and get out.

They're the police.

[phone chimes]

[footsteps crunching]

[phone chimes]

[motorcycle engine hums]

[suspenseful music building]

[camera clicking]

Ryan, just do what

you need to do and get out.

[gas hissing]

[loud blast]

[fire crackling]

[Ryan grunting]

♪

[Ryan grunting]

[strained grunt]

♪

[Ryan grunting]

[train horn blaring]

♪

[Ryan grunting]

-[fire crackling]

-[fire extinguisher hissing]

[fire extinguisher hissing]

-[can popping]

-[James] Okay, you really need

to start explaining

what's going on.

What was all

that about back there?

You wanted to be a part of this.

I'm happy to help

in any which way I can,

but I need to know

what's going on first.

It all started a while back

when I was homeless.

I stayed in Central for a while.

'Til I was moved on.

I ended up stealing a car.

They normally leave the keys

in the old ones

ready to be broken down,

so I didn't think anyone

would come looking for it.

[suspenseful music playing]

[suspenseful music plays]

[tires screeching]

[crashing]

[car hissing]

♪

[Ryan]

I decided to leave the car.

But then,

later that evening, I was found.

I'm not sure who they were.

They took me to this place.

I don't know where it was.

They gave me a phone.

I was told to

await instructions,

and I'd be paid each time

I did a job

with some big payout

coming out at the end.

So, at nighttime, I'd wait

for a message and head out.

It did involve just

taking photos of warehouses,

but more recently,

drugs and guns.

-All packaged.

-So, you don't have any names?

No.

Do you even know

who you're working for?

All I get is these texts

from a man named Mr. Black,

which I'm sure is a fake name.

So, you don't have any names,

you don't know

who you are working for

or what you're

getting yourself into?

No. I don't need to know,

and I don't want to know.

I'm never going back

to how it was.

Never.

Ryan, this is clearly

some sort of organized crime.

I haven't done anything illegal.

That's not gonna stop the

repercussions, though, is it?

Look, if you are

not happy with this,

by all means, I'll keep

your half of the money.

So, decide right now.

Do you want

to be a part of this?

If you agree,

there's no turning back.

Okay. Where to next?

[cars honking]

[James] I don't

wanna seem ungrateful,

but have you ever thought about

maybe moving away

and trying something else?

[Ryan]

You think you can just move away

from something like this?

Well, I don't

think you've tried.

[James]

And what would you have me do?

Nine till five job?

Three kids and a mortgage?

No, thanks.

I'll take my chances here.

Looks like there's police

and security inside.

Yeah. They must

be raiding the place.

Or making a collection.

[footsteps crunching]

[wind howling]

[tense music playing]

[phone chimes]

[James]

Ryan, what are you doing?

[ominous instrumental]

There was a girl inside.

All right.

So did they see you?

[Ryan]

You don't understand.

She was dead.

Let's just-- [sighs]

let's just go.

-I've got the photos.

-[James] What?

You're not serious.

We can't do that.

Ryan, we need

to phone the police.

The police were already here.

If you wanna talk to them,

go ahead.

We can try a different police.

What good will that do?

-Will it bring her back?

-[James] Whoever done this,

they need to be caught

and stopped.

That's what we're doing.

We're stopping them.

These photos,

someone wants them for a reason.

You're crossing the line.

We're not--

we're not doing this.

I already agreed to do this.

If I don't--

if I don't do it, I--

I don't know what they'll do.

[harmonious instrumental]

All I know is

they're powerful people.

So what?

They're gonna come after us?

So ditch that phone,

and they'll never find us.

You wanna take that risk?

They found me before.

They knew my name,

my situation, everything.

And that was

when I was homeless.

I told you before,

there's no turning back.

This is my job.

I earn good money,

why should I give it up?

Ryan, there's plenty

of other ways to earn money.

No. That's all part of the lie.

That you can have

anything you want in life,

all you have to do is work hard.

Well, I did everything I was

supposed to do. Everything.

And it all failed.

They lied.

They lied to us.

You tell me. You did everything

as you were supposed to.

What has it got you so far?

[somber music playing]

You brought me into this

'cause you had

no one else to call.

You're lonely.

[somber music continues]

[Ryan] I'll phone the police

when we get back.

-Wait. Oh, no!

-[James] What?

[Ryan]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

[James]

What have you forgot?

[Ryan] My wallet.

I must have dropped it.

Everything was in there.

[James]

[sighs] Not your ID? Oh.

[Ryan] Yeah, everything.

My number, your number.

I had it all written down.

[James]

Why did you write it down?

[Ryan]

Because I don't like having

that sort of stuff on my phone.

[groans]

Get away from me, James.

Get your own taxi back.

[car honking]

[somber instrumental]

♪

Stop here.

[somber music fades]

[phone ringing]

[suspenseful music playing]

Hello.

Who is this?

[Simmons]

Oh, come on.

Surely you haven't forgotten

your old professor.

Simmons.

[Ryan]

You were behind all of this?

I am a man of business.

Regardless of the industry,

I'm in to make money.

You really do have no limits.

You were one

of my best students. [sighs]

You could have

been part of all of this.

As I said, we could

have gone far together, Ryan.

But, no. No, you just left.

You took off.

I lost everything, remember?

Your advice on investing.

If you needed money,

then you could have come to me.

I would've helped you.

But, no. No, no, no.

You gave up in the world.

You-- you-- It was too hard.

You just decided

to take it and roll over.

It was easier to have

your dreams taken away

rather than to-- to actually

try risking yourself.

Easier to blame somebody else,

am I right Ryan?

Well, of course, you know

what I'm gonna have to do now.

The same as

what you did to that girl?

Oh, I'm not gonna kill you, yet.

I'm gonna destroy you.

But first, I think

we'll have one more little game.

No, thank you.

Ryan, if you end

this phone call,

I swear you will regret the day

you set foot

inside of my university.

Goodbye, Professor.

-It's Simmons.

-Simmons?

-Simmons, who?

-Simmons, Simmons.

As in, Professor Simmons.

He's the one behind all this.

The drugs, the guns,

the distribution,

it all belongs to him.

That sounds like

too much of a coincidence.

I don't think any of

this happened by a coincidence.

He killed that girl.

A bullet in the head.

My guess is she got

mixed up with him somehow and

that's how she ended up.

-We both need to leave.

-Okay.

I won't stay in the flat

in case there's any problems.

There's some things I need

to do, so give me a few hours

and then meet me

at Camden Lock bridge

tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.

Just get out of London, James.

Ryan?

[phone vibrating]

Hello?

Hello, James.

You. Where's Ryan?

Well, I'd like to tell you

he's unharmed.

But if you're a man

in my position can hardly

let something like this go.

So far, we've given

him a few drops of a--

a potent immobilizing drug.

Probably for the best

as he won't feel what's coming.

Look, you--

you don't need to do this.

-Please, just--

-Ryan didn't want

to play the game,

so you're gonna have to fill in,

all right?

Maybe save his life.

You can talk to him if you like,

'cause he can you can hear

everything you were saying.

I mean, I would talk

to him if I-- if I were you,

this might be your last chance.

I'd-- I'd make the most of this.

What do you want from me?

I want to give you a chance.

I mean, if you win, well,

you can, um, you can save Ryan.

Anyway, you better listen up,

John Wolfe Barry, 1894.

That's your clue.

A clue? A clue for what?

I don't understand.

Jesus. Even Ryan

used to challenge me.

I can see where the brain cells

went in your family.

[James] Okay. Okay. Please,

just give me a moment, okay?

Just give me a moment.

Ryan.

Ryan, if you can muster

the strength

to answer

your brother's question,

then, please, be my guest.

Come on.

Your life depends on it.

Ryan.

I've got it.

He built Blackfriars Bridge.

You cheated.

So, is that--

[Simmons] Well, I see

you've got about 42 minutes

before the cab arrives

on the bridge

to take you to Ryan.

But then if you are not

in the cab when it leaves,

a bullet will

go into Ryan's head.

Well, I'm in Camden.

Well, then I'd a get

move on if I were you.

Oh, and James, I'll be watching.

[tense dramatic music playing]

♪

[James]

I can't do it.

I'm not gonna make this.

I can't do it.

[Simmons] Does it make you

feel sad, James,

to see that you're such

a failure as an older brother?

Does it make you

feel depressed that,

despite being surrounded

by thousands

and thousands of people,

you've never been more alone?

Listen, I am going to let you

earn an extra 30 minutes.

I want you to walk

into Victoria Station,

and I want you to say

at the top of your voice,

"Attention, there is a bomb

in the building."

You're insane.

Clock's ticking, James.

I'd a get a move on

if I were you.

[cars honking]

[Cormac]

Are you sure about this, boss?

It might be

even too much for us.

We don't know who James and Ryan

have been talking to.

We don't know who they work for.

We have to discredit anything

they may have said.

After that,

you can give the order.

[woman speaking over the PA]

[James] Attention! There is

a bomb in the building.

[crowd screaming]

[police siren, cars honking]

He's done it.

They've got

his name and picture.

[siren blaring]

I'm here. I'm here. Where is he?

[woman speaking over the PA]

My men can't see you.

[James]

You said Blackfriars Bridge.

[chuckles] No,

you said Blackfriars Bridge.

I said you cheated.

Oh, you were so close, James.

You bastard.

[chuckles] Listen,

by my watch you have--

you've got about

10 minutes anyway,

so perhaps another little clue.

Um, it's 801 feet long

and 213 feet tall.

The Tower Bridge.

Ah, 9:50, James.

[determined instrumental]

How are you doing, Ryan?

You're still hanging in there?

Drugs not wearing off?

God, you must be

very disappointed

at this feeble attempt

to save your life.

You know, you mean

nothing to your brother.

He's not even trying.

I was more family to you

than he ever was.

Ah, he must disappoint you.

But then,

you burnt down my stores.

Hmm.

Did you think

I would let that go?

I own this city.

I mean the public, they just

go about their everyday lives.

They haven't got a clue

what's going on.

They don't really understand.

They're totally unaware

of what's really happening.

Unaware that I am king.

[tense dramatic music playing]

Five.

[James] Ryan, Ryan, if you

can hear me, don't worry.

-Four.

-[James] I'm coming, mate.

-I'm almost there.

-Three.

-I'm almost there.

-Two.

-[James] I'm almost--

-One.

-[Simmons] Goodbye, James.

-[gunshot]

[somber music playing]

♪

[cop]

All right. Calm down, sir.

Right. Just take a moment.

Take your breath and, uh,

would you care to sit down?

Sit down?

I haven't got time for that.

We need to get him now.

All right. Okay. Let me just

take a few details.

Uh, right. So what's your name

and your brother's name?

-I'm James.

-James.

My brother's name is Ryan.

Ryan. Okay. Ryan.

And, uh, where do you think

he might be now?

[James]

I spoke to him 30 minutes ago.

Can-- can you trace my phone?

All right. When and where

did you last see him?

-Soho Square.

-Soho. Okay. And, uh,

who do you think

might have done this and, uh,

where do you think

we might find them?

A professor from the university.

His name is Professor Simmons.

[cop]

Professor Simmons. Okay.

Just you wait right there, sir.

I need to radio this through.

[car honking]

[pensive music playing]

[grunting]

[straining]

[gate clangs]

[train rumbling, chugging]

[thud]

[phone vibrating]

-Ryan.

-Yeah, I'm okay.

Simmons, he's-- he's turned all

of disused underground London

-into some kind of network.

-[James] A network?

Yeah. Transportation.

Any disused tunnel,

service track, railway,

he's turned them all

into some sort

of distribution network,

all connected.

With The King's Head pub

right at the center.

Ryan, you have to know I tried.

I really,

really tried finding you.

[Ryan] Yeah.

I know.

[emotional music playing]

[Ryan] Who would've thought

two years ago

that this is how it would go?

I did my best, but it never

seems to be bloody good enough.

Are you safe?

If I can find my way

out of this place then... maybe.

Come and meet me

before you do anything.

There's police outside looking

for me and probably you too.

I'll call you when I'm ready.

Ready? Why? What'd you need?

The king's head.

[thrilling music playing]

[gate creaks, closes]

♪

[water running]

[helicopter whirring]

[police siren wailing]

[tires squealing]

[cars honking]

[tires squealing]

[sirens blaring]

-[radio static]

-[man] Nick,

the boss needs you

in right away.

I'll make a move now.

Where is he?

[man] Looks like

he's heading towards Soho.

[man] We don't know where

he's going yet, Nick.

The units have lost him.

He's heading back to

Soho Square.

Be ready for me

and keep the public away.

[motorcycle engine roars]

[floor creaks]

[pensive music playing]

[Simmons speaking

other language]

[floor creaks]

Well, you're

remarkably resilient.

So what's this, huh? A truce?

You take one more step

and I'll have

your fucking head blown off.

[Ryan]

That girl...

I found her body.

Why did she have to die?

What could

she possibly have done?

It's just business, Ryan.

It's a game and she lost.

I don't force anyone

to take part in this.

People choose

to do it themselves.

And-- and-- and then

they blame someone else

when they don't

get their own way.

I don't remember signing up

for any of this.

[Simmons]

[chuckles] Oh, you-- you did

when you burnt down my stores.

Who paid you?

Why would I tell you anything?

[Simmons] You don't have to.

In fact, I think

it's about time we ended this,

don't you?

After all, I think we both know

only one of us is gonna

walk out of here alive.

So what do you say, Ryan?

One last game?

One bullet, six chambers?

Or I could just take you down

to the station right now.

You think you've beaten me.

Well, you haven't.

I have the best.

The justice system works for me.

And I own this city, kid.

Now, if you lock me up today,

I will be out next week

and you better look

over your shoulder

because I'll be coming for you

and your brother.

Unless, of course,

we settle this now.

[motorcycle rumbling]

[police siren blaring]

[man]

It's time to go.

Where is he now?

[man 2] He was seen running past

Soho Square.

Shit! He's not going

to Ryan's place,

he's going

to The King's Head pub.

Tell the boss to get out now.

[helicopter whirring,

cars honking]

I've got eyes on him.

It's now or never.

What's the boss say?

[man 2] We can't get a hold

of the boss right now.

[static crackling]

[man 2] Under no circumstances

can James be arrested.

Gotta be taken out

before he can talk.

I know the route he's taking.

Meet me at Ramillies Place.

[motorcycle engine roars]

-[motorcycle thrumming]

-[police siren blaring]

[masked man]

We're holding the public back.

You got five minutes before the

other units start turning up.

You know the blind spots,

don't miss.

-That's not gonna work.

-Ryan, what happened to you?

The Ryan I knew was like me.

You know, I-- I blame

those nine to five simpletons.

You know,

they try and drag us down.

Am I right, Ryan? No?

Shut up.

[Simmons] But tell me,

could you live with this?

Wondering if

you could have been with me?

Hmm?

Do you remember

what I always told you?

Do you remember?

We're the same.

We have to play

and we have to win.

What do you say?

Shall we find out

who's the better man?

[pensive music playing]

[police siren wailing]

[man]

Got ya.

[gunshots]

[motorcycle rumbling]

One bullet, six chambers.

One bullet.

Six chambers.

[Simmons]

Oh no, you first.

I'll take

whatever bullet you don't.

[barrel clicking]

-One.

-[gun clicks]

Two.

[gun cocks]

-[gun clicks]

-Three.

[gun cocks, clicks]

Four.

[gun clicks]

-[gun cocks]

-Five.

[gun clicks]

[gun cocks]

-[gunshot]

-[heavy thud]

Ah, you shot me,

you little prick!

Oh, why didn't you just kill me?

Goodbye, Professor.

[floor creaks]

[police siren blaring]

Ryan, I didn't teach you this.

[loud blast]

[car honking, sirens]

And that's all you know, is it?

Were you expecting more?

Should you divulge

any of the information

I'm about to share with you;

you'll be swiftly taken to the

UK's maximum security prison.

Now, Professor Simmons

is the remnant of a dying breed.

People like this we know about.

But due to

his extensive criminal network,

we've experienced difficulty

dealing with him.

He has judges, police officers,

even secret servicemen

under his control.

Any attempt

to bring him down failed

until he became involved

with a young woman,

a woman,

unknown to the professor,

the daughter of someone

of great importance.

-So why didn't you do anything?

-We did.

But we needed to know exactly

what we were dealing with

in order to avoid

the legal ramifications

of an official inquiry,

which would've given

the professor

a distinct advantage.

You paid Ryan.

You sent him the phone.

We needed to find someone close

to him and Ryan was selected.

Of course,

Ryan was unaware of any of this.

But we did agree to pay over

a sum of money on completion,

which I have no issues

on passing onto you.

Very convenient for you,

wasn't it?

That Ryan's investment

just suddenly fell through

right when he needed the money.

If it hadn't,

he might still be alive.

As I told you before, James,

we were too late for Ryan.

[pensive music playing]

♪

Criminal Network (2023) - full transcript