“Land of Bad” starts in the deep Philippine jungle. Sergeant J.J. Kinney, an inexperienced soldier, joins a seasoned crew to save a high-value asset from brutal terrorists. Led by an old-fashioned but empathetic Captain “Reaper” from the distant base station, they navigate treacherous terrain, tense standoffs, and technological glitches. This action-packed film explores the complexities of modern warfare, questioning the reliance on technology and highlighting the unwavering courage of soldiers on the ground.
This article contains spoilers.
Land of Bad (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The film opens with helicopters flying over land. Sergeant J.J. Kinney, aka Playboy, is confused about what to eat: froot loops or frosted flakes. He is assigned to join a rescue operation to bring a Philippian asset. The crew for the operations are Sergeant Abell, Sergeant Bishop, and Master Sergeant John Sweet. Their target is Petrov, a Russian arms dealer and a former KGB who has problems with Abu Sayyaf. Captain Eddie Grim, aka Reaper, operates the base station. The soldiers in the base station are basketball fanatics and troublemakers. They manage to get on Reaper’s nerves. Nia is Reaper’s staff commander, helping in this mission. Nia is getting married soon and wants to ask Reaper something, but work keeps getting in the way. Moreover, Reaper requests the boys to watch the phone before entering the mission, as his wife is in labor.
On the helicopter, Bishop is giving Kinney a hard time as he isn’t as experienced and tells him to keep up on the ground. Subsequently, the soldiers are airdropped into a jungle in the Philippines. Reaper gives an update to Playboy on all the help and eyes they have on air. Playboy gives Reaper an update on their location. On the ground, they are trying to locate the asset, and Kinney and Bishop argue about technology and warfare. Bishop believes if all the batteries run out and the technology stops functioning, then the only thing left will be for a man to kill another.
Playboy asks Reaper to check out movement that they notice, but unfortunately, there is a malfunction in the system. Bishop calls it an irony, and the team cautiously moves ahead. They see a movement, and it turns out it is just a pig. They have eyes on Petrov and keep an eye. All four of them set up camp and watch. They watch Petrov’s wife and child in the area as well.
Trucks are approaching, and it turns out it is Abu Sayyaf and the gang meeting with Petrov. Reaper is back as the systems are functioning again. They have eyes on Petrov and Abu Sayyaf. Meanwhile, after exchanging pleasantries, Abu Sayyaf shoots at Petrov and takes him hostage. Furthermore, he beheads his wife in front of him. His gang blindfolds and brings his son to be killed next, and the soldiers are unable to watch this. They ask Reaper to send in jets to scare the gang. Unfortunately, the jets are going to take a few seconds, so the soldiers start shooting at these men, and the child escapes.
Reaper delivers with a weapon, hitting the target. Kinney hears noises below him and realizes it’s a cave, and Abu Sayyaf’s men are emerging out of it. The other soldiers have an eye on them and ask him not to move. They manage to kill these men, but a grenade is put where Kinney is. However, he pushes it out at the last second. Abell is surrounded, and the others are helping him out. Unfortunately, he is shot, and Kinney tries to rescue him.
Bishop and John Sweet ask Kinney for assistance and remind him that Abell is dead. Kinney tries to help, but he sees an RPG hit near them, and Kinney begins his escape plan. The weapons sent by Reaper take time to destroy the targets. Kinney finds cover in the jungle for now, and Reaper confirms that the 500 meters in front of him is clear. However, Kinney isn’t moving because he is freaking out.
Reaper pumps him up, and Kinney starts moving. He is 5km away from the rescue helicopter. Reaper and Nia see movements of armed and another group on Kinney’s east and west. Kinney takes cover under a canopy-like structure on the river. A group passes by, but their canine approaches Kinney. Its owner comes to bring it, and luckily, they don’t see him. The area is now clear. He is within 1.2 km away from the escape position. In fact, he starts moving in that direction. Reaper and Kinney converse and realize they are both from Ohio.
Reaper tells Kinney about his wife and kids. In reply, Kinney tells him about his late father. Kinney can see the rescue helicopter and runs towards it when he is attacked from all sides. The helicopter is attacked as well. An RPG is fired at the helicopter, but they dodge it and tell Kinney that the machine is hot and they will be back soon. Kinney fights back with Reaper’s help with the weapons from the air.
They realize the enemy can spot him with night vision. Kinney starts moving towards the new escape plan, and as he is chatting with Reaper, he slips and falls inside a water body. His rifle is on the ground, and enemies are coming towards him. Kinney manages to kill one with a pistol, and he starts to run. He reaches a dead end with only one way out. Subsequently, he jumps into the waterfall and hides as long as he can, but these men capture him. He is captured and tied up.
Sweet is alive, and he comes to Kinney’s rescue. He informs him that they need to rescue Bishop as he is captured. They take everything they can and continue on their journey. Meanwhile, Kinney uses innovative ways to communicate with Reaper. Kinney comes up with a plan as they see the caves. He contacts Reaper and gives him instructions on when and how to fire the missiles and bring the cave down. However, Reaper is asked to leave the base station as he has been overworked for the day. After an intense fight with his senior, he leaves. They enter the area and stealthily kill a couple of the enemies.
However, things start to get ugly, and Sweet is shot. Both Kinney and Sweet are captured and met with Bishop in the cell. Kinney tries to warn Abu Sayyaf’s men about the bombs, but they don’t pay attention. They drag Sweet out and kill him. Abu Sayyaf brings Kinney out next and tortures him to reveal where the other members are. Kinney tells them that only three are left, but he won’t hear it.
He tries to warn him about the bombs again, but he asks his men to drown Kinney. At that time, the first bomb is dropped, and most of these men are dead. Kinney is still alive and finds a vent leading to the top, and he breathes. He rushes to rescue Bishop but finds the asset and helps him first. Reaper is shopping in a supermarket, constantly on a call with his wife. The soldiers at the base are engrossed in the basketball game.
He reaches Bishop’s cell, and Abu Sayyaf is waiting. Kinney takes out all his frustration and stabs Abu Sayyaf. He then hits him with a brick constantly. Bishop is shocked to see Kinney in rage. He rescues Bishop and heads out. Kinney is trying to get a signal to contact the base station. Eventually, he contacts them with a lot of difficulty. But one of the soldiers informs him Reaper isn’t there and gives his cell number without listening to what Kinney has to say.
Land of Bad (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
Can Kinney save his crew from the enemies?
Kinney calls Reaper but is talking to his wife and ignores the call as it is an unknown number. Kinney leaves a voice message, takes Bishop and the asset, and walks towards the exit. In the base station, they are ready to fire the next bomb. Reaper listens to the voice note and tries contacting the base station, but it is ignored. He drives like a maniac, reaches the base station, and calls in the man on air to abort the mission just as the three men walk out of the cave. Kinney smiles and waves to Reaper.
Reaper is mad, and he takes a club, congratulates the soldiers on the win, and tells them what they did. He breaks the television and asks them to protect the people on the ground who need their support. Nia asks the question she has wanted to all this while. She asks Reaper to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. He says it’s his honor, and they do a little father-daughter dance.
“Land of Bad” has a happy ending with Kinney and crew rescued and Nia and Reaper having a sweet familial bond. In the beginning, Kinney’s crew teases Kinney for being young and inexperienced, but he is the underdog who rescues and neutralizes the enemy. The film also makes you think about the use of technology in warfare – if it’s a boon or bane. The story, however, had little to do with the background story of the enemies but more about the mission and the crew’s camaraderie on the ground and at the base station.
