Genre: Drama/Comedy/Sports
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: Mo Buck & Chad Taylor
Cast: Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Billy Magnussen, Wyatt Russell, John Carroll Lynch, Alice Eve, David Harbour, John David Washington, Jason Schwartzman, Greg Kinnear, Hafbor Jullius Bjornsson
Plot: We’re in 1986, in the backstage area of a crowded arena, where thousands of people watch two wrestlers doing what they do best: entertain. During this time, Dr. Hank Love (Jon Hamm), is giving steroids to his best friend, Tommy Goode (Chris Hemsworth). Goode is one of the most popular wrestlers on Earth, everyone knows his name, thanks in large part to his out-of-this-world physique. Goode has always been jacked but since he met with Dr. Love, he has been even larger than he ever imagined. His physique brought him to the top of the wrestling world, where he holds the Championship belt of the biggest company in the world, World Wrestling United, based in the United States. The syringe is still in Goode’s calf when Stu Benson (Greg Kinnear), owner of said promotion comes in. He tells them that he’s tired of seeing them doing drugs and they should do that somewhere else, the government is watching them. Stu says he’s been under fire recently for the steroid usage in his company and Tommy Goode is one of the only reasons why. He thinks that it would be for the best if they send him down to another, smaller promotion to lay low until this whole government things cools down. Love says that there’s no way he remains here while Goode leaves and Benson tells him that he must go to, because, after all, he’s the one giving the drugs to the wrestlers. Before he leaves, Stu adds, to Goode’s anger that he’s dropping the title tonight and that he will fake quitting after the match. It doesn’t sit well with him, but he agrees. Goode gets up to leave the room, but Love forgot to remove the syringe from his calf. He hits the door and pushes the syringe further into his calf. He’s in pain, as Love removes it and says he’s sorry.
We see Candi Johnson (Alice Eve), a wrestling valet for Sun Belt Wrestling (SBW), from behind, giving a blowjob to her husband, the much older owner of SBW, Jules Jamieson (John Carroll Lynch). Jamieson is on the phone with Stu Benson. Jamieson is one of the many wrestling promoter who wants Tommy Goode working for him. He tells Candi to slow down and he negociates with Stu. A pesky manager in the organizaton, Ephraim Goldstein (Jason Schwartzman) watches them through the window. Jules says that he's willing to pay top money to get Goode, but he should get a discount because he's helping Benson to get out of trouble, and thus keeping him in business (a steroid scandal could kick the company out of business). Stu accepts with the discount, it's much higher than any other offers he received so far. Jamieson is power hungry and he has big dreams for SBW. He's not afraid to throw in the big bucks to get his company to the next level, as shown with the Goode deal. As Stu accepts, Candi finishes her job and she cleans everything. Jules orders her to keep it a secret, he wants to keep the surprise. As Candi leaves, she notices Ephraim and his clear erection and calls him a creep.
2 Weeks Later; Hot Springs, Arkansas. A group of wrestlers hang out backstage at SBW - a southern based promotion that is much more regional than the one we've seen before (and is hoping to reach that level in the future). George Shaw (David Harbour) is the most respected of the group as a 16-year veteran of the business. He has plenty of stories to tell, especially about the way the business has changed from when he first started. "Pretty Boy" Phillip Lord (Billy Magnussen) is the most social and outspoken of the group, particularly about his racist, sexist, and homophobic views. This notably clashes with his in-ring character who is overly effeminate and flaunts traits commonly associated with queer cultures (even though they won't outright say that the character is gay). Since SBW is based in the south, this character gets the most reaction out of the audience, who hate him with a passion. The only person he tones down the racism around is Clarence "Motown" Brown (John David Washington) - mainly because Motown is SBW's resident drug dealer. General Rhett Gunn (Wyatt Russell) is sitting on his own, wrapping his wrists with tape and keeping his head down. His in-ring character is draped in military regalia, a nod to Gunn's own past service.
Ephraim Goldstein waltzes in and, in a whispery tone, says that he has heard rumors that there is going to be a new arrival with a big ego tonight - but you didn't hear that from him. Every one eagerly turns their eyes to the door but in walks Goldstein's 7-foot managerial client Goliath (Harbor Julius Bjornsson) eating a triple cheeseburger. Goliath, who does not speak English, sees everyone looking at him and gives off a big smile with the food still in his mouth. He is soon followed through the door by a slightly drunk Jules Jamieson. He informs them that he has just acquired a major talent for the promotion and that this could be huge for taking them to the next level. In walks Goode and Love, followed by some shocked faces and minor groans. Goode immediately complains about the conditions while Love introduces himself as Goode's personal physician. With a big grin on his face, Pretty Boy whispers to Motown that he is going to use Love to get to get to Goode's physique and become a top wrestler in the world. Goode, meanwhile, catches a glare from George Shaw who is staring him down. Goode gives him a wink.
Candi is the first one to have an appointment with Dr. Love. She kisses him on the border of the mouth, which bothers Love. He doesn't want to have a relationship with a patient, it's the ethical thing he maintains, because the rest of his practice is sketchy, at best. Candi complains about back pain and she's really forward with Love. She keeps bending over to show her backside to him and she flirts with him. Love rejects her advances and he reminds her that she's a married woman. She acknowledges thst fact, but she adds that she's married with an old man. She gets closer to Hank and he kicks her out of his office, irritated. The next person to pay him a visit is Pretty Boy, who invites Love to go out drinking with the boys after the show tonight. Love is reluctant but is already feeling lonely here in Arkansas and accepts the offer to come along with the caveat that he is sober and won't drink. Pretty Boy then tells Doc about his ambitions to bulk up, turn face and leave SBW for the big leagues - giving Doc a wink while he says this. Love remains stoic but says that point him to the right diet regime that might help him reach his goal.
On the town, the group is segregated into good guys and bad guys (character-wise) as they must maintain pro wrestling's illusion in public. Some of the guys noticed Candi's fixation on Dr. Love and Motown thinks it is a gold digger back up to her old tricks (because Love is likely more affluent than Jules). Things escalate fairly quickly when Pretty Boy starts to get drunk and run his mouth. In a one-way conversation with Goliath, he says that he is happy that Doc Love is here because this means that he can fulfill his drug needs from a white man. A drunk game of telephone ensues as word gets around to Motown that Dr. Love might threaten his throne as SBW's head dealer. At the bar, Love gets Gunn to open up as Gunn says he is in need of anti-depressants. Love starts to ask him about his time in the military but they're interrupted when a fight breaks out in the background between Pretty Boy and Motown. Chaos ensues as people start to take sides - Gunn throws a punch Pretty Boy's way while Shaw and Goode seize upon this opportunity to go after each other. Ephraim - as a proxy voice for Jules - breaks up the fight and scolds Goode and Shaw for breaking kayfabe as they are both fan favorites and should be on the same side.
On the ride to the next town, Love asks Goode why he is already contentious with George Shaw. Goode explains that when he first entered the business, Shaw was his mentor. However, despite being better in the ring, Shaw grew irritated that Goode became a bigger hit with the fans and has been resentful ever since. Love seems skeptical of Goode's explanation but nods his head in agreement. At the next show, Candi seeks out Doc to apologize for her behavior in Hot Springs and says she felt terrible about risking Love's job given her husband is the owner. She explains that she was young and naïve and Jules was someone who could give her stability (in the form of semi-permanent employment). He responds by apologizing for her lashing out against her but that he is peculiar about his moral code. Their conversation feels much more natural this time than before and they share a few laughs at the expense of the other wrestlers.
The next day, Pretty Boy enters Love’s office with one clear goal in mind, getting steroids. Love denies that he’s a drug distributor, but Phillip tells him that everyone knows why he got fired from the previous company, but nobody will talk about it, well, except Phillip Lord, who says everything that crosses his mind, offensive or not. Pretty Boy wants to get bigger, it could do wonders for his career. Love starts to whisper and he opens a suitcase full of steroids. He gives some to Phillip, but he warns him to shut up his loudmouth and nobody needs to know that he gave him that. Pretty Boy leaves and as soon as he exits, Ephraim enters. He gives Love an advice, he should be careful about what he’s doing, because there’s a rumor around that there’s an FBI informant within Sun Belt Wrestling. They go to the locker room area, where Ephraim helps Love figure out all the possibilities. Is it Goliath, the giant who never speaks and only eats cheeseburgers ? Is it Pretty Boy, the loudmouth who think rules don’t apply to him? Is it Rhett Gunn, the ex-military who’s on antidepressors? Is it George Shaw, the grizzled veteran with a phantomic presence in the locker room? Could it even be Motown Brown, the notorious pusher of SBW? No one knows…
As Ephraim leaves, Candi grabs Love by the arm and drags him in his office. She complains about back pains again, but this time, she’s not sexually suggestive. She has a bruise on her upper-body that Love notices when he examines her. He asks her how she got that and she doesn’t want to talk about it. Love insists and she starts crying. She reveals him that her husband, Jules, was drunk (as always) yesterday and he forced her to do things that she didn’t want to do and when she refused, he started to hit her until he fell asleep. Love thanks her for opening to him and he tells her that the back pains could come from those wild nights. Candi says he’s lucky to not be in a relationship like that. Love says that he once in a relationship with a woman, but at one point, when Love’s career really started to take off, she decided she wanted a divorce. She attacked him in court on all fronts and, in part due to his alcoholism, he lost access to his kids and his house in the process. He hasn't drank a sip of alcohol a day since. Love is now crying with Candi and they share a hug, to try to console the other from their past or present suffering.
Hank vents his frustration over the rumored FBI informant to Goode, who is also obviously worried by this. They both feel like they're being black-balled from the industry as sacrificial lambs. The next day, Shaw suffers a shoulder injury in a match and Love treats him after the match. Hank tells him that his initial fear is that Shaw might have just wrestled his last professional match but he will have more medical tests done to see. Shaw tells him that he can't give up wrestling just yet as he has to have a match with Tommy to prove his worth. Hank, thinking back on what Goode told him earlier, tells Shaw that he will be remembered as just influential in the business (if not more) than Goode. George tells him it is more than that - Goode falsely accused of rampant racism and ended up costing him career in the big leagues which is how Shaw ended up banished to regional promotions in the South for so many years. This was likely Goode's way of getting Shaw out of his way for the spotlight. And that's why Shaw wants a match to prove those years did not go to waste. When Motown goes to visit Love after his match, things seem a bit awkward between them and Motown asks if he has heard about a possible FBI informant and Love affirms. They come to agreement that they will watch each other's backs, but Motown warns Hank not to get too comfortable on Motown's turf.
As Gunn and Hank walk to a private room, Pretty Boy struts on by as he walks towards the entrance ramp with a long sequined yellow robe and two oiled up younger men following behind to him to ensure that his robe does not touch the ground. Hank gives Gunn the meds he was asking for and Gunn starts to break down crying. Hanks consoles him and says he understands as his dad fought in the Second World War but Gunn tells him it isn't that. He says that, as a gay man, his military experience was a unique one. He loved his country but not the warped sense of values that it is laced with and he felt the brunt of that while in the Army. Now he is pigeon-holded by his veteran status and is constantly reminded of his tortured past by dressing up in military regalia every night. And on top of that, there is a homophobic asshole in Pretty Boy who goes out every night and leeches off the crowd's hatred of gays while exuding every stereotype under the sun. Hank is a bit stunned by all of this but offers a sympathetic ear to Gunn as he vents. Once they leave, Goliath peeks his head from an adjoined room and leaves with a scantily-clad young lady once they see the coast is clear.
On the road, Goode asks Hank how he likes it with this promotion. Love says he is actually enjoying it and able to connect with these wrestlers more than he has in the past. Tommy suggests Love maybe consider staying down here at SBW when Goode goes back to Benson. Meanwhile, Motown starts to notice his sales take a hit and puts two and two together that it is Hank's dealings that is the cause. Backstage, he confronts Hank about this and gets physical, which causes Goode to step in between and push Motown back. This turns into a brawl which results in a broken jaw for Motown - which spells trouble for Jules as Motown is the face of the promotion. In the background, Ephraim whispers to Pretty Boy that he has heard a rumor that Rhett Gunn might be gay. When Pretty Boy asks where he heard this, he says Doc Love told him.
Just as things calm down a bit in the locker room, Pretty Boy decides to tease Gunn by making a veiled homophobic joke. Instead of sitting in silence per usual, Gunn stands up and shoves Pretty Boy to the ground - prompting Phillip to say "So it's true?!". Gunn cocks back his fist to punch Lord but he opts to walk out instead. All the wrestlers are shocked at both the revelations and what just went down. Ephraim starts a rumor that Gunn told that to Love in confidentiality but he broke it by telling Pretty Boy. Jules enters the chaos and is absolutely furious at all that has went down. In a panic about Motown's injury, he says they might as well use this heat to earn some profit and so their new top feud will be Gen. Rhett Gunn vs. Pretty Boy Phillip Lord. There is a general sense among the locker room that this is a scummy move by Jules, but who are they to say something.
In his office, Jules comes to the conclusion that Goode is to blame for the recent chaos and so he has to punish him in some way. Looking at his papers, he sees Shaw's name and a lightbulb goes off. He calls Goode into his office and tells him he will be facing George Shaw at the next show and taking the pin clean. Goode is furious about this.
The night before the big show, there is a doomed feeling in the air. Love realizes that something is wrong when everyone - including Candi - seem to look at him with disgust. At the hotel, Love sits alone in his room and stares out the window at a neon sign for a bar. In his room, Jules is drinking heavily as he worries about the show going off well. When Candi asks if they can go out tonight for dinner, he backhands her hard enough to leave a bruise. Crying, she storms out and wanders down the hallway. Meanwhile, Love is leaving his room (presumably to go to the bar outside) and encounters a hysterical Candi. She breaks down into his arms and he helps her back to his room. Candi asks Hank why he outed Gunn and he swears that he would never do anything like that and she believes him. When she tells him what happened with Jules, Love said he is going to go down there and take care of Jules - employment be damned. Candi tells him not to do that and instead just make her feel loved. The sexual tension is too undeniable for Hank this time as he carries her to his bed and they have sex. Later, a drunk Jules sits at the end of the hallway, waiting for Candi to arrive back. He sees her leave Love's room but she doesn't see him. He makes note of that door number and later discovers that the room belongs to Love.
The show with Goode-Shaw and Gunn-Lord is a massive success for the company but Jules is on a path of revenge and is still unsatisfied. He pulls Pretty Boy into his office and tells him of his new plan to betray his agreement with Stu Benson. He plans to convince Stu to take back Goode, which he will presumably do after the success of last night. Since Goode is going, Love will likely follow and Jules is also going to offer Lord. Pretty Boy's eyes light up, seeing this as his opportunity to make it big. Jules tells him to cool his jets as he will have a specific purpose: plant the drugs given to him by Love into the bags of the WWU wrestlers and then call the authorities. Jules says this will cause a massive scandal for Stu that will be hard to recover from and thus SBW will have a shot at becoming top dog - and Pretty Boy will be their top star. This prompts Lord to have a big grin and he says the plan is crazy but it might just work.
On the road to Michigan, Love laments his downfall at SBW to Goode. He is bummed about being falsely accused at betraying a patient's confidentiality. He confesses to Goode that he slept with Candi but Tommy shrugs his shoulders and says that Jules was a dick, so it's whatever. At WWU, Pretty Boy has the drugs on him but is contemplating which way his best shot at stardom. Unfortunately (or luckily) for him, he does not have to make the decision as Tommy Goode rats him out immediately to Stu Benson, who is disgusted by Lord's plotting. He fires him on the spot, even though he insists he had no bad intentions. Additionally, Goode betrays Love by telling Stu that Love slept with one of his patients at SBW. Even though he is used to turning a blind eye to Love's distribution of steroids to Goode, Benson tells Love that he can't be employed here if he will be doing stuff like that. Love is in shock and, on his way out, Goode tells him "It was either you or the both of us."
Driving away from the arena, Love contemplates what just happened. He wonders to himself if Goode is the one in cooperation with the FBI and was ready to sell his friend out. He pulls over and stops at a restaurant for a bite to eat. He asks to use their phone, which he uses to call Candi and tell her he is coming back to see her and that they can go anywhere she wants. He hangs up the drink and orders a coffee. The door to the restaurant slings open and a man wearing an FBI jacket walks in. He goes in the opposite direction of Love and so they don't see each other. Love sits lonely in his booth, fiddling with his napkin. He calls the waitress back to his table and tells her to scrap the coffee and get him a whiskey on the rocks.
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