Directed by Renny Harlin, “The Bricklayer” is an action-thriller dealing with an international conspiracy narrative. The script was written by Hanna Weg & Matt Johnson based on Paul Lindsay’s novel of the same name. It follows Vail, who is made to come out of retirement from his job at the CIA. He is assigned to unravel a conspiracy about a man who kills international journalists and blames the agency. Most of the film takes place in Greece, Bulgaria besides the United States. The central cast of “The Bricklayer” includes Aaron Eckhart (“The Dark Knight”), Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries”), Tim Blake Nelson (“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”), Ilfenesh Hadera, and Clifton Collins Jr. Spoilers ahead.
The Bricklayer (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
What is ‘The Bricklayer’ about?
“The Bricklayer,” starring Aaron Eckhart & Nina Dobrev in the lead roles, follows a global conspiracy tale. We meet a retired CIA operative who is brought back to unravel a conspiracy against the agency. The film begins with Viktor Radek (played by Clifton Collins Jr.) coming to meet journalist Greta Becker (played by Veronica Ferres). He brings confidential CIA documents that can be detrimental to people’s trust in the institution. Right after she checks the papers, he shoots her dead. Before killing her, he accepts that he wants the news to get out for his personal motives.
Soon, the news goes public, and people start believing the CIA is behind the death – because Becker was an outspoken critic of US intelligence activities abroad. Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Leontaris (played by Akis Sakellariou) also has a negative opinion about the agency. In the CIA HQ, agent Kate (played by Nina Dobrev) checks through the security footage around the place of murder. She recognizes ex-CIA agent Radek in one of the videos. So, she immediately informs her senior – O’Malley (played by Tim Blake Nelson) about it. Radek was considered to be dead, but the authorities never found his body. Therefore, O’Malley decides to find a way to fight against this covert operative.
How do Kate & O’Malley decide to fight Radek?
To fight against Radek, Kate & O’Malley decide to seek the help of a retired agent – Viktor Vail (played by Aaron Eckhart), off the books. O’Malley wants Vail to go to Greece with Kate to find Radek. Initially, Vail refuses to go on this mission. He reveals that he has moved on in his life and has become a bricklayer. But soon, a couple of shooters attack him. Naturally, this makes him change his mind. Eventually, he reaches Kozani with Kate and meets his old friend Patricio (played by Oliver Trevena). With Patricio’s help, Kate & Vail put on disguises, get armed, and head to Thessaloniki. They check into a hotel.
While Kate goes to take a shower, Vail sneaks out to rekindle some memories – related to Radek & his family. Later, he enters a fancy party and meets his old flame, Tye (played by Ilfenesh Hadera). He tells her that O’Malley sent him to find Radek – who is not dead as they thought. She warns him about Kostas. That night, Vail enters a pool party to meet Sten (played by Ori Pfeffer) and Crystal (played by Lili Rich) – to know any details about Radek. Sten does not reveal anything. Instead, he threatens Vail, who takes it badly and fights Sten’s pawns. Luckily, Kate arrives there in time – because she had put a tracker on him. Once in the car, she starts asking him about his history with Radek.
What does Vail know about Radek’s past? Why was Radek blackmailing the CIA?
Radek was performing assignments for them. He joined the CIA for asylum. But once his cover got blown, the Russians killed his family. So, he went on a killing rampage. As a result, the CIA asked Vail to track down Radek & neutralize him. Back in the US, the CIA receives a threat message from a person who wants to punish them for their wrongdoings. In exchange for not killing people, he expects a huge payment in Bitcoin. In Greece, Vail decides to follow Sten with Kate. They break into Sten’s house and look for any signs of his connection to Radek. Kate finds Greta Becker’s phone.
Soon, one of Sten’s pawns enters the house. Vail and Kate fight back and escape after Vail kills him. Kate apologizes that she froze during the fight. Vail asks her not to be so hard on herself. Patricio tells them where they can find the next target – Alekos Melas (played by Michael Siriopoulos). They reach the location and see a peaceful march turning into a fight. Vail suddenly receives a call from Radek. Radek believes the agency blew his cover because he couldn’t complete one of their assignments. That’s why he started blackmailing the CIA. Before Vail can catch him, Radek kills Melas and drives away.
What happens after Melas’ death?
Kate fears that Radek’s list of active targets will antagonize the agency. Vail thinks that O’Malley is the mole, working with Radek and leaking information to him. Because of this, Vail finds it difficult to trust the agency. His accusations make Kate angry. Still, he firmly believes them. He goes to meet Tye and reignite their old spark. She wants him to return home to protect himself from Kostas. But he doesn’t let that change his mind. On the other hand, Kate finds two burner phones in Vail’s bag. So, she suspects he is working with Radek. He accepts that he is in contact with Radek but does not disclose why.
Later, they both reach Patricio’s storehouse to meet. Unfortunately, by that time, he was killed by Sten’s men. Vail starts shooting them one by one. However, they find Kate and blackmail him to act as per their needs. He offers himself in exchange for her safety. Moments after, a bomb goes off – leaving all of Sten’s crew dead, whereas Vail walks out safely. Suddenly, O’Malley decides to remove Vail from their mission. Then, he sends Kate to finish what they had started. When in Greece, she reunites with Vail. He enters a room to transfer the money online and speaks with Radek.
The Bricklayer (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
Do Vail & Kate find Radek?
Vail asks Radek to meet in person. Radek tells him about his one final assignment – a hit on Kostas. He plans to broadcast the dark truth of the agency on a big scale. By the time he reveals this, the money transfer is over. Right after, a bomb explodes. Vail escapes and immediately starts driving to the venue where Kostas is giving a speech. As Vail suspected, Radek had reached the spot and put a target on Kostas. So, Vail finally manages to find Radek in person. He notices Radek on a stage with other journalists. He immediately picks up a hammer, destroys the stage, and stops Radek from getting hold of his gun. Vail apologizes to his old pal for not protecting his family. Then, Vail shoots Radek.
O’Malley saves Vail from getting incriminated by saying he was working for the agency. Turns out, the Bitcoin wallet transfer wasn’t done. Vail most likely made Radek believe that. However, thanks to his efforts, the CIA finds Radek’s manifesto with all his targets. At the end of “The Bricklayer,” Vail meets Tye in her hotel room to learn she worked against him and helped Radek with the list. While Tye’s men come outside to kill Vail, Tye leaves and starts driving. Luckily, Kate reaches there and shoots her dead. Later, O’Malley offers Kate a promotion. Instead, she decides to stop working for the CIA. She hopes to work for the country but not for the agency.
Why is ‘The Bricklayer’ called ‘The Bricklayer’?
After his retirement, Vail returns to his as a Bricklayer. During the film, Vail says that a brick’s ‘form gives him purpose.’ O’Malley considers that to be just an incoherent rambling. Besides that, the film does not provide any clear reason why he chose to be a bricklayer.
