What is the plot?

The Pickup (2025) opens with Russell Pierce, a seasoned armored car driver on the cusp of retirement, preparing for what he hopes will be a routine final run. His partner for the day is Travis Stolly, a brash and inexperienced rookie who dreams of becoming a police officer but has yet to prove himself. The two are assigned to a long, isolated route known as the Swedesboro loop, notorious for its poor cell phone reception and lengthy travel time. Russell is eager to complete the job and return home to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Natalie, while Travis is distracted by his recent one-night stand with a mysterious woman named Zoe.

As Russell and Travis begin their route, they are suddenly ambushed by Zoe and her accomplices, Banner and Miguel. Zoe, a cunning criminal mastermind, orchestrates a high-stakes hijacking of the armored truck. During the ensuing chase, Russell tries to surrender the money to save their lives but quickly discovers that the cargo is not cash but contraband. In a desperate move, Russell throws dye packs hidden among the money at the pursuing vehicles, causing Banner and Miguel's car to flip violently. Despite this, Zoe manages to seize control of the armored car.

Travis recognizes Zoe as the woman he had been with the night before. She had deliberately intoxicated him to extract sensitive information about his job and the armored truck's schedule. Zoe reveals that her true objective is not the contraband but to use the armored vehicle to pull off a much larger heist: stealing $60 million in cash from a casino. Assuming Banner and Miguel perished in the crash, Zoe coerces Russell and Travis into cooperating with her plan.

Zoe shares her motivation with the two men. Years earlier, a fire broke out at the casino where her father worked as a security guard. The casino's faulty lockdown system trapped employees inside, and her father heroically held a metal door to allow his coworkers to escape, sacrificing his own life. The casino never compensated Zoe's family for this negligence, fueling her desire for revenge by robbing the casino's vault.

Meanwhile, Banner and Miguel survive their crash and, furious at Zoe for abandoning them, pursue the armored car to reclaim the stolen money. As the trio approaches the casino, Russell's wife Natalie tracks him via mobile phone location. Zoe captures Natalie and restrains her in the armored car alongside Travis, using her as leverage.

At the casino vault, Zoe deceives a WWE star who is present by claiming his rival is defaming him online, prompting the wrestler to leave and clearing the way for the heist. Russell and Zoe successfully extract the $60 million in cash. However, the casino manager recognizes Zoe and apologizes for the past injustice against her father, blaming higher management for the failure to compensate the family.

The heist takes a violent turn when Banner and Miguel ambush the group. Banner takes Natalie hostage, forcing a tense standoff. In the chaos, Russell and Travis accidentally run over Miguel with the armored car. A massive police pursuit ensues, with law enforcement chasing the armored vehicle through city streets. During the chase, Russell's boss Clark calls to complain about the late delivery, only to see the police pursuit unfold live on television, prompting Travis to give him the middle finger.

The chase culminates at a small airstrip where the armored car catches fire and explodes. Banner opens fire on Russell, Travis, and Zoe but is knocked unconscious by Natalie, who fights back to protect her husband and Travis. Russell reunites with Natalie, and Zoe bids farewell to Travis before escaping in a small plane she had prepared in advance.

In the aftermath, the police determine that Russell and Travis were coerced at gunpoint and hold them not liable for the robbery. Six months later, Travis has become a deputy sheriff and contacts Zoe, who is now living lavishly in Bali. Russell, having retired, runs a bed and breakfast with Natalie. He receives a box of money from Travis and Zoe, symbolizing their continued connection. The film closes with a museum curator calling the armored car company to complain about a damaged artifact, a subtle nod to the chaos left in the heist's wake.

Throughout the film, the relationships between the characters evolve significantly. Russell, initially a stoic and cautious man focused on retirement, grows to respect Zoe despite her criminal actions, recognizing the pain behind her vendetta. Travis, immature and impulsive at first, matures through the ordeal, ultimately becoming a law enforcement officer. Zoe, while ruthless and manipulative, reveals a deeply personal motivation rooted in family tragedy, adding complexity to her character.

The Pickup blends action, comedy, and drama, culminating in a high-octane heist that tests loyalties and challenges the characters' moral compasses. The film's ending leaves Zoe free and wealthy, Travis advancing in his career, and Russell settling into a quieter life, all connected by the extraordinary events of the armored truck robbery.

What is the ending?

At the end of The Pickup (2025), Zoe successfully hijacks the armored truck with Russell and Travis on board, revealing her true plan to use the truck for a bigger heist. After a chaotic chase and crashes involving her accomplices Banner and Miguel, Zoe convinces Russell and Travis to cooperate with her. The film closes with the trio preparing for a high-stakes casino cash pickup heist, setting up a new phase of their alliance.

Now, a detailed scene-by-scene narration of the ending:

The climax begins with Zoe, the criminal mastermind, ambushing Russell Pierce, a veteran armored car driver, and Travis Stolly, his rookie partner, during their routine cash pickup route. Zoe's accomplices, Banner and Miguel, aggressively pursue the armored truck in a high-speed chase. Russell, realizing they are outmatched, tries to surrender the money to save their lives. However, he discovers that the cargo isn't just cash but contains contraband, complicating the situation.

During the chase, Russell cleverly throws the money containers equipped with dye packs at Banner and Miguel's cars. This causes both vehicles to crash violently, flipping over and presumably incapacitating Banner and Miguel. With her accomplices down, Zoe manages to hijack the armored truck itself, taking control of the vehicle and the situation.

At this point, Travis recognizes Zoe as the woman he had a one-night stand with the previous evening. He recalls that she had gotten him drunk and extracted sensitive information about his work schedule and route. This personal connection adds tension to the moment.

Zoe then reveals her true objective: she was never interested in the money or contraband inside the truck. Instead, she needs the armored vehicle itself for a larger heist--a plan to rob a $60 million cash pickup from a casino. She proposes that Russell and Travis cooperate with her to pull off this ambitious robbery.

The film ends with Russell, Travis, and Zoe forming an uneasy alliance, preparing to execute the next phase of their plan. Russell, who had been looking forward to retirement and opening a bed and breakfast with his wife Natalie, is now drawn back into the criminal world. Travis, still immature but secretly brilliant, is caught between his dreams of becoming a police officer and the dangerous reality unfolding.

Thus, the fate of the main characters at the end is:

  • Zoe: Successfully hijacks the armored truck and recruits Russell and Travis for her casino heist plan.
  • Russell: Forced to abandon his retirement plans temporarily to cooperate with Zoe.
  • Travis: Involved in the heist plan, conflicted by his personal feelings for Zoe and his career aspirations.

The story closes on this tense, unresolved note, emphasizing the shift from a routine job to a high-stakes criminal partnership.

Is there a post-credit scene?

Yes, The Pickup (2025) features a post-credits scene that hints at future consequences and potential continuation of the story. In this scene, a furious French museum manager is seen yelling at Clark, played by Andrew Dice Clay, who is the boss of the main characters Russ and Travis. The manager is upset because Clark completely messed up a delivery, suggesting that the chaos from the main story is not fully resolved and may lead to further complications or a sequel.

This post-credits scene follows the main film's conclusion, where the characters have seemingly found closure, but the extra scene teases that the aftermath of their actions still has repercussions. It serves as a setup for possible future developments beyond the first movie.

What is the significance of Zoe's relationship with Travis in the plot?

Zoe seduces Travis during a date where she gets him drunk and extracts key details about his work and the armored truck's schedule, which she uses to plan the heist. Travis initially does not realize she is using him, and their past one-night stand complicates their interactions during the heist.

How does the armored truck hijacking unfold and what tactics do the characters use?

During the hijacking, Russell throws money containing dye packs at the pursuing criminals' cars, causing one of their vehicles to flip. Despite this, Zoe manages to hijack the armored truck. The chase is intense and involves high-risk maneuvers, with Zoe's team using high-tech methods to ambush the drivers.

What is Russell Pierce's motivation and personal background in the story?

Russell is a veteran armored car driver nearing retirement who wants to open a bed and breakfast with his wife Natalie. The film highlights their 25th wedding anniversary, and Russell's desire to retire peacefully contrasts with the chaos of the heist.

What role do Banner and Miguel play in the heist?

Banner and Miguel are part of Zoe's criminal team who ambush Russell and Travis. During the chase, their cars crash violently, and they are assumed dead after the accidents, which leaves Zoe to take over the armored truck hijacking.

How does the film portray the dynamic between Russell and Travis?

Russell and Travis are mismatched armored truck drivers paired for the first time. Russell is stoic and experienced, while Travis is immature and impulsive but secretly intelligent. Their clashing personalities create comedic tension, and they must work together to survive the heist and its aftermath.

Is this family friendly?

The movie The Pickup (2025) is not family friendly and is rated R due to its content. It contains moderate violence, including gun violence, characters being held at gunpoint, beaten, kidnapped, and tied up, as well as car explosions. There are frequent strong profanities and sexual references, including explicit sexual discussions. Alcohol and tobacco use are also depicted in some scenes. Additionally, there are mild frightening and intense scenes with flashing lights that might affect sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive people include:

  • Scenes of gun violence and physical fighting
  • Characters being kidnapped, beaten, or run over by a truck
  • Explosions and intense action sequences
  • Frequent strong language and sexual references
  • Some sexually suggestive scenes and explicit discussions
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Mild flashing lights and strobing effects

Given these elements, The Pickup is best suited for mature audiences and not recommended for children or sensitive viewers.