Vindicators
Genre: Superhero / Drama / Mystery
Director: Graham Moore
Writer: Jimmy Ellis
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Jayme Lawson, Gillian Jacobs, Derek Theler, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lamorne Morris, Kate Walsh, Rhea Seehorn, Bruce Dern, Angourie Rice, Penn Badgely, Rashida Jones, Wolfgang Novograntz
Plot: The main headquarters of Vindicator Industries stretches 2000 feet over the sprawling metropolis that is Nova City, and on the top-floor is the office of the man who runs it all: Erlich Seltzer (Brian Cox).
One fateful night, as Erlich tends to matters after-hours, a loud bang is heard. He does not act afraid but rather laughs it off telling whoever it is he knew it was coming for a long time. A shadow is seen in the corner of the room. A knife is thrown into Erlich’s shoulder throwing him back into the wall. Erlich reaches in his pocket for a gun, as he raises it another knife strikes his hand pinning it to the wall. As the camera focuses on Erlich a knife is thrown directly into his head, killing him instantly. The next morning, as the news of his death breaks, the superhero community of America and beyond pledge their thoughts and prayers to the late, great pioneer who brought forward the age of heroes we live in today. While details of his death are kept private, Vindicators Industries organises a lavish, expensive memorial, hosted by America’s sweethearts: super-powered couple Pureblood (Luke Bracey) and Alanna Americana (Gillian Jacobs). After delivering a sorrowful speech and introducing the musical guests, Alanna walks back-stage, easily shaking off her mournful facade. A stagehand rushes to hand her a bottle of water, as Alanna eyes up a dorky sound technician in the corner. Moments later, Alanna and the technician hastily hook up in the bathroom. When the technician leaves, Alanna breaks down in tears, before throwing up into the toilet.
Across the city, dishevelled private investigator Jake Kuntz (Mark Wahlberg) sits at a bar in the early hours of the morning, watching the news run constant coverage of Erlich’s memorial. Taking a swig from his beer, Jake leaves, before receiving a mysterious phone call instructing him to arrive at a given location. Jake drives to a secluded mansion hidden in the hills, where he meets Susan Seltzer (Kate Walsh), Erlich’s widow. Catching a whiff of alcohol from Jake’s breath, Susan shows disdain, yet invites him into Erlich’s former study. Susan reveals to Jake the details of Erlich’s death, of which have been suppressed and hidden from the public. Jake suggests perhaps he jumped himself, but Susan believes someone with enhanced gifts is the culprit. Jake asks if she seriously believes one of Erlich’s heroes murdered him; she’s adamant, Erlich wasn’t as well-regarded as it seems. Jake asks why she’d want to hire him; Susan hoped he’d make use of old contacts, and promises that the compensation and “redemption” will do him some good. Jake leaves, considering the offer.
Elsewhere, the board of directors of Vindicators Industries deliberate on who shall assume Erlich’s role, eventually deciding on Beatrix Lazaro (Michelle Pfeiffer). Officiated as the new CEO of the company, Beatrix makes her first task to be the return of the “Vindicator” title, now to be held by young hero Defendress, otherwise known as Erica Ghebo (Teyonah Parris).
Meanwhile, Jake ponders the investigation, before calling Susan to inform her he’ll take it.
Erica receives a call from Beatrix, inviting her to a meeting. At the meeting, Beatrix reveals to Erica a brand-new, sleek, purple outfit, emblazoned with the Vindicator insignia. Erica ecstatically accepts the offer, arriving at a press conference to officially announce her taking of the mantle. Returning to her new home at the Vindicators Tower, Erica checks her social media, hopeful to see the new support and fans garnered. However, what she instead finds is an onslaught of racist, misogynist comments and insults, calling for the return of the glory days when Vindicator was a strong, powerful white man. Disgusted and upset, Erica breaks into sobs, crushing her phone in her hand.
Elsewhere, Jake starts to investigate into the mystery of Erlich’s murder, calling an old friend whom he hasn’t spoken to in years: Alonso Hall (Lamorne Morris), the Jet-Black Jaguar. The two chat at Alonso’s apartment; Jake suppresses any reference to his own history. Jake asks Alonso about Erlich’s death, and Alonso makes no attempts to pretend that he liked the deceased. Jake asks who else hated him, Alonso laughs, telling Jake he’d need to be more specific. Erlich was considered a scumbag by everyone who worked under and with him, but they had to shut up to maintain the facade. Jake asks for the source of this hatred, and Alonso suddenly grows more solemn, requesting his words never leave this room. Jake promises, and Alonso divulges rumours he’d heard; the type of things Erlich would do to the female heroes… disgusting, abusive and unforgivable things. Alonso says he never prodded for answers out of respect for the women’s privacy, but whispers travelled regardless. Jake thanks Alonso for the talk, returning home to research.
Meanwhile, Alanna, appearing at a Christian fundraising event alongside Pureblood, enters Pureblood’s hotel room to retrieve him for the event. Alanna discovers Pureblood intimate with another male hero at the event. Alanna swiftly closes the door, as a mortified Pureblood hastily gets changed. Pureblood exits the room, desperately asking Alanna to never tell another soul. Alanna promises, and the two attend the event.
At Vindicators Tower, Erica speaks with Beatrix, expressing her upset over the backlash she’s receiving online. Beatrix hatches an idea to end the torment: a meeting with the original Vindicator to pass the torch. Erica agrees, feeling better from Beatrix’s consoling.
The morning after the fundraiser, Alanna wakes in her hotel room with 3 strangers in her bed and a heavy hangover. She walks to the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror self-loathingly.
Already hitting the booze in the early hours of the morning, Jake proceeds in his investigation, finding an article dated 15 years ago of allegations made against Erlich settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Jake takes note of the accuser: Maria Bell (Rhea Seehorn), previously known as the hero Indigo.
Jake tracks down the former hero Indigo, having now changed her name from Maria Bell to Maria Tessio and working as a realtor. Maria is reluctant to let Jake in, recognising his name and telling him she doesn’t want to speak to anybody from that side of life anymore. Jake assures her he’s here to help her, and she eventually lets him in. Maria makes the two a cup of tea, as Jake begins questioning her on her past. Maria recalls how her parents had forced her to become a hero when her powers developed at an early age, eventually leading her to audition for Erlich when she was only 17 years old. Maria describes what Erlich made her do; requests she reluctantly gave into, resulting in her hiring. Erlich continued to abuse her throughout her career, along with many other women. When no one else agreed to step forward, she did it alone, losing everything. Jake asks for names, Maria refuses. Maria says no matter what he finds, the damage and trauma done will always be present, no matter how hard they try to make it go away.
Elsewhere, Beatrix and Erica embark on a trip to the southern ranch housing the retired, original superhero, Vindicator (Bruce Dern) (real name Rick Mannix). Rick has since lost his sight, his health deteriorating, but nonetheless greets and welcomes the two. Rick reminisces of his time as America’s first super-soldier, fighting in the Vietnam war and founding the Vindicators against a mystic threat. Beatrix explains to Rick that Erica has been chosen to take up the mantle as the second Vindicator, and Rick suddenly sours. Realising his successor is not only a woman, but a woman of colour, Rick embarks on a tirade, damning the modern world. Rick starts to cough violently, and his nurses help him back to bed as Beatrix and Erica leave. Beatrix apologises to Erica, telling her she had no idea Rick held those beliefs, but Erica ignores her. The footage of Rick and Erica’s meeting is nonetheless repurposed and shaped to depict that Rick is supportive and approving of the decision, yet Erica continues to receive backlash online.
At the Vindicators tower, Alanna meets Erica for the first time in a corridor, noticing she’s upset and inviting her to her room. Erica explains her sorrow to Alanna, Alanna consoles her, telling her she understands. Erica snaps back; Alanna doesn’t understand, she’s America’s sweetheart, she’s always had it good. Erica storms out, leaving Alanna sitting on her bed, empty. Alanna thinks… remembers… a tear strolls down her cheek. She hurriedly swipes it away in panic, shaking herself. She rushes to her phone to call a regular, meaningless hook-up.
As Jake’s attempts to contact heroes he previously knew bear no fruit, he ponders on a particular contact, punching the number into his phone, hesitating to call.
Jake meets with Susan later that day, revealing what he’s gathered so far. The news of Erlich’s tendency for sexual abuse comes as no surprise to Susan, who simply reminds Jake he’s been hired to track down the murderer, not vindicate Erlich’s victims. Returning home, Jake feels he’s hit a brick wall without access to the names of Erlich’s other victims, and with the additional anguish brought on by the sickening descriptions of Erlich’s crimes, he turns to alcohol to soothe his mind.
Elsewhere, Erica is dispatched to her first public mission as Vindicator, thwarting an armed robbery perpetrated by a masked crime syndicate. Displaying her super-strength, Erica reigns victorious, and a crowd forms to cheer and thank her for her bravery. Later, Erica witnesses a series of hateful, bigoted, conspiracist videos release, claiming Erica’s act of heroism was merely a publicity stunt using hired “crisis actors”. Fuelled by instinctive rage, Erica posts an expletive-laden rant online, shaming her relentless harassers and asking them to step back and re-evaluate themselves before attempting to pass criticism on others. Erica’s rant causes concern among Vindicators’ board of directors, drawing Beatrix into the crossfire and tasking her with bringing Erica into line. The hashtag #BoycottVindicator begins to trend as mobs damn Erica for insulting those who she swore to protect, shaming her “lack of tolerance” and suggesting she’d potentially refuse to save someone’s life because of their “opinions”. Meanwhile, Alanna enviously admires Erica’s openness; she herself muzzled by publicists to maintain a wholesome, all-American look, unable to speak up about the causes she believes in. The following day, Erica is brought into a meeting with the board of directors, as a noticeably silent Beatrix sits by while Erica is informed she must apologise for her “rude outburst”. Outside of the meeting, Beatrix apologises, claiming she would’ve stood up in her defence if she could.
Fresh-faced super-teen Zofia Dabrowski (Angourie Rice) meets with an unidentified producer, affiliated with the Vindicators company. He asks about her background; Zofia recounts how her parents, Polish immigrants, moved to Nova City when her powers began to develop, hoping she could become a hero. Calling her a sweetheart, and impressed with her spunky attitude and powers, the producer promises to make her a hero. Zofia beams with pride, hugging the producer in thanks.
Elsewhere, Erica sits backstage at a press conference, reading over the sickening public apology prepared by the company’s publicists.
Meanwhile, Alonso is startled by Jake’s dishevelled appearance standing on his doorstep. Inviting Jake in and fixing up some coffee, Jake asks Alonso to promise to help him by telling him everything he knows. Alonso sits down as Jake reveals everything he’s gathered so far; Erlich’s murder, his abuse, Susan’s ignorance, Maria Bell, “the others”. Jake needs Alonso to help him find who the others are; Vindicators is sitting on a web of abuse that needs to be exposed. Alonso apologises, his career would be finished. Jake stands up to Alonso, asking if he’s just gonna sit on his ass and let another poor girl get abused just so he can keep dressing up like a cat. Alonso punches Jake in the nose, blood gushes to the floor. Alonso orders Jake out; Jake stops at the door, calling Alonso a coward, then leaving. Alonso stares at his clenched, bloodied fist, sighing ashamedly.
Erica preps herself as the clock reaches 5 minutes until her statement. Alanna enters the room, wishing her luck, receiving a monotonous response. Alanna stands in the door frame for a silent moment; she tells Erica she’s really brave, and a “kick-ass” hero. Beatrix enters; it’s time. Erica makes her way on stage.
Jake sits at a bar, blood dripping into his whiskey. Alonso sits beside him, ordering him another whiskey, before commenting it wasn’t a wild guess to assume he’d be at the nearest dive bar. Although he can’t fully help, he can at least push him in the right direction. He hands Jake a piece of paper with a phone number and a name: Tommy Magnus (Dave Franco) aka Metallion, magnetic maestro. Jake thanks him; in return for his help, Alonso demands they never meet again. Jake promises, and Alonso leaves. Jake looks up to the TV, as Erica nervously stands at the podium, swarmed by camera flashes blurring her view. She starts to recite her apology, pausing before a line referring to her harassers as “good people”. She looks up, amidst the flashing lights, seeing a little girl of colour, smiling. Erica smiles back. Standing up confidently, Erica rips up her speech; she has nothing to apologise for. She will continue to stand up against harassment and bigotry, for both herself and for everyone, no matter how many people she offends. Beatrix’s jaw drops. Alanna grins. Jake smirks. Erica smiles proudly; “Any questions?”
Jake investigates Metallion, discovering he is none other than the son of one of Vindicators Industries’ corporate elite. Additionally, he takes note of Tommy’s rampant tendency for partying and promiscuity, as well as his questionably close relationship with his 18-year-old cousin. Piecing together information and deducing where Tommy lives, Jake retrieves his equipment and proverbial shovel, ready to dig some dirt.
Downtown, Alanna joins Pureblood in foiling a terrorist plot at a subway station. The two easily incapacitate the extremists; Pureblood absorbs the bomb’s impact by lying on top of it. The explosion barely leaves a mark on his costume, and the duo are applauded by civilians. They bow, before Pureblood suggests some “traditional American cuisine”. Sipping a McDonald’s’ Milkshake, Pureblood asks Alanna what she makes of all the Erica drama. Interested, Alanna turns the question on him instead. Pureblood admits his respect for her as a fellow superhero, finding issue with her behaviour and general attitude. Continuing, he adamantly states he is nowhere near a racist, but feels Erica is just as toxic as those she opposes. Pureblood asks if Alanna agrees; she changes the topic, noticing a group of kids eager to take a photo.
Meanwhile, Erica wakes up to a barrage of notifications, including several missed calls from Beatrix. Erica meets with Beatrix, who reveals the board of directors would like Erica to lay low for a while, feeling she is too “problematic” to have as the face of the company right now. Erica glares at Beatrix judgmentally, calling her a “fake” and leaving. Erica exits the tower, waiting to cross the road when she sees a truck head toward a young man crossing with headphones on. Erica dashes to the rescue, pushing him to the side as the truck grinds to a halt. The man looks up, disoriented, recognising Erica. His shock turns to disappointment, as he tells Erica this doesn’t change his opinion on her. Erica heads off, thoroughly vexed. Outside Tommy’s house, Jake parks his car and stakes out as night draws in, camera at the ready.
Tommy and his cousin step into his sports car, growing increasingly intimate as Jake snaps pictures from afar. Tommy puts the affections on hold, driving off; Jake ducks to avoid being seen.
Elsewhere, considerable time has passed since Zofia last met her producer, leaving her pleasantly surprised to see an invitation to a luxurious hotel nearby to further discuss her career. He greets her with champagne and charming comments, before deeming it time to get into business and unzipping his pants. Zofia looks on uncomfortably; he promises this will result in his continuing favour. She gulps, nodding nervously.
Tommy returns home after a night of partying, exhausted and euphoric. Suddenly, he receives a mysterious call. The caller reveals what he saw, asking how people will react to such a scandal. Tommy panics desperately, telling the caller he’ll do anything. Across the city, overlooking his photography, Jake grins; he’s got some ideas.
Tommy steps into his father’s office, hacking into the computer and using his magnetic manipulation to leave no traces. Tommy duplicates the computer’s contents onto a blank external hard-drive, commenting on what value could be seen in boring “business and legal stuff”. When the copying is complete, Tommy leaves the room, packaging the hard drive in a yellow envelope. Tommy leaves the envelope at a specified location, hopeful his scandalous relationship won’t be exposed. Hours later, Jake retrieves the package, and starts to search through its files, finding an archive of email conversations had with Erlich. As Jake sifts through, he discovers disturbing, degenerate conversations, stumbling on one that sends a shock through his whole body. The name sears into his eyes; he looks anxiously to his phone, retrieving it and punching in the number he was so hesitant to call before. The number of Vicky Stewart (Rashida Jones), retired heroine Plasmagirl - his estranged ex-wife. He presses call, nervously raising the phone to his ear.
The tension is palpable. The two sit opposite each other in Vicky’s living room, both nursing a cup of coffee. They haven’t spoken in 7 years, not since the divorce. Jake awkwardly asks how she’s been; she’s been fine. A pause follows, and Jake deems it appropriate to cut to the chase. He describes his investigation, and the disgusting secrets he’s unearthed; her face grows dour at his latest discovery. He tearfully asks her if it’s true, if Erlich truly did that to her. She nods grimly. Jake starts to sob, things start to fall into place. He falls to the floor, cursing himself for not supporting his wife at her most vulnerable. To his shock, she kneels down to hug him close, tears strolling down her own cheeks. Later, Jake sits in Vicky’s garden, watching the sunset. He grabs his phone, calling Susan Seltzer. He tells her he quits, he’s glad Erlich’s dead, and hopes his killer lives the best life. Susan is notably ambivalent, informing Jake he is irrelevant as the killer has already been found. Inside, Vicky watches the breaking news of Erlich’s killer: Bobby Duchamp (Paul Mescal), also known as Titanio, former child sidekick of Nocturnoman.
Bobby Duchamp, “Titanio”, former child superhero and side-kick to the late, great Nocturnoman, is now in police custody after confessing to the murder of Erlich Seltzer. The news shakes the superheroic community to its core, with many of his former colleagues speaking up about their shock. Susan Seltzer makes a statement, placing her faith in the justice system and hoping it serves this “despicable villain” the “gruelling sentence” he deserves.
Jake wakes up on Vicky’s couch to the smell of breakfast, feeling a surreal sense of familiarity. The two eat breakfast in silence; a silence that can’t seem to decide between comfortable or cold. Before Jake leaves, they hug, tightly.
Several days spent in custody, Bobby Duchamp is found dead in his cell; seemingly self-inflicted. The media is quick to pin it down as just another pathetic killer unwilling to face the consequences of his actions.
Elsewhere, Jake lies wide awake, thoughts rapidly circling in his mind. This can’t be it, this can’t be how it ends, with Erlich still loved and revered, and all the secrets swept back under the carpet once more. Jake’s wellbeing begins to greatly deteriorate; he hasn’t touched food since that last breakfast. He can’t live with the truth buried, having failed Vicky, and all of Erlich’s victims, lest he forget the many other corporate employees no doubt also abusing their power. But it’s not just Erlich, it’s not just Vindicators… it’s all across the world, in every corner. He can’t vindicate them all, but who will, if he doesn’t try? Jake breaks into Bobby’s old apartment, blocked off by police tape finding himself in an apartment of someone who truly has lost all will to live… not too dissimilar to his own. After almost two hours of searching for something, anything, and coming up short, Jake angrily collapses to his knees, roaring. He punches the floor-board in rage, discovering something underneath: Bobby’s diary.
He opens it, studying the deep darkness Bobby was spiralling into, discovering that throughout his childhood, Bobby was abused regularly by Nocturnoman, and thus planned to kill Erlich, who enabled the abuse despite constant complaints, as a last attempt at catharsis. Jake pockets the diary, leaving.
A month later, an increasingly bored Erica finds herself lying on her mother’s couch, swaddled in a blanket and watching TV, still under instructions to “lay low”. She glances at her phone, uncharacteristically void of notifications following her departure from social media. She switches over to the news, where she sees a “bombshell scoop”: a statement from Rick Mannix’s estate, exposing Erica and Vindicators for misrepresenting him and twisting his words. Erica’s phone starts to ring; she holds her head in her hands, preparing for yet another wave of torment and stress to swallow her whole.
The Vindicators’ publicity team has gone into full damage control, as the recent bombshell dropped by Rick Mannix’s estate reignites the swarm of controversy that has plagued Erica since she took the mantle. The company’s and Erica’s socials become lambasted by posts and hashtags calling for boycotts, with even Beatrix being brought into the mix and being labelled a case of “#GoWokeGoBroke”. As hysteria ensues, Beatrix repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempts to get through to Erica. At her mother’s house, Erica remains seated on the sofa, resistant to move. Her phone insistently buzzes beside her, as her eyes focus on a small speck of dust on the floor. Is this all worth it? Is this what it means to be a “hero”? She thinks back to that little girl at the night of her public apology.
Alanna watches as the relentless harassment and bullying of Erica returns with a merciless vengeance. Slurs, death threats, and hatred upon hatred flood social feeds across the internet; all over someone who just wanted to make the world a better place. Alanna ponders if avoiding this type of onslaught was worth remaining silent all this time.
Beatrix comes under severe pressure and scrutiny from her higher-ups, and although she doesn’t show it, it’s truly getting to her; there’s no way out of this one.
Erica continues to stare at the insignificant, small speck of dust. Even though it’s one of countless others, it’s caught her eye, and moves her. Perhaps being something more than a regular insignificant speck to just one person is worth all the trouble, she wonders. Once more, she thinks back to the little girl.
Alanna scrolls through her social media, as a certain trending hashtag catches her eye: “#PurebloodForVindicator”; fans calling for the role of Vindicator to be restored to its original, white, male, “true American” glory. To her shock, and disgust, Pureblood himself has reshared a post advocating for such, saying how it would be an honour. Alanna is sickened he would partake in the belittling and bullying of a colleague, feeling a burning, rageful, and painful force build inside her.
Erica looks into her closet, lifting the badge from her costume. She holds it in her hands; it no longer carries the weight it once did.
Meanwhile, Beatrix bites her nails in hysteric panic, before receiving a call from Erica. Before Beatrix can vent her mountainous anxiety, Erica informs her she’s left her costume at reception: she’s done.
Alanna’s fingers hover over her keypad, itching to retaliate. Finally, she is compelled to type, and the results are disastrous.
6 months later, the dust has begun to settle. Erica has permanently retired from superheroism, Beatrix has been replaced as CEO, Pureblood is on indefinite hiatus following Alanna’s scandalous outing of his homosexuality, and Alanna, now going by Zofia once more, has moved into a small, dim apartment across the country, no longer employed as an all-American sweetheart. She gets into bed, and stares at the ceiling, ponderously.
Elsewhere, a heavily sleep-deprived man carrying a strong stench of alcohol leaves a package at a number of local news outlets. He remembers all the work, the pain, the stress he’s put himself through to ensure that the truth sees the light, hoping this will be a satisfying conclusion. But then he recalls, to a time that feels most distant, and a sentence he was once left with. Later, he lies in bed, attempting to sleep. The damage and trauma done will always be present, no matter what he does. Jake stays wide awake.
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