Johnny Handsome 1989

Petty criminal John Sedley, better known as Johnny Handsome, played by Mickey Rourke, faces life on the edge due to his deformed appearance. With a remarkable talent for observation and planning, he partners with his friend in a heist at a rare coin shop alongside Sunny Boyd (Ellen Barkin) and Rafe Garrett (Lance Henriksen). However, their plans drastically derail when Rafe and Sunny betray the team, leaving Johnny as the sole survivor of a deadly double-cross.

Sentenced to prison, Johnny learns a stark lesson about his legal future: this second felony conviction could trap him as a “three-time loser,” sealing his fate with a lengthy prison term. Inside, he faces fresh dangers, including a brutal knife attack from fellow inmates. During his recovery in the hospital, he is visited by Lt. A.Z. Drones (Morgan Freeman), who unveils a grim truth: Rafe orchestrated a hit on him. Drones urges Johnny to cooperate with law enforcement to bring Rafe down.

As Johnny recuperates, he meets Dr. Steven Fisher (Forest Whitaker), who believes he can transform Johnny’s life through reconstructive surgery to fix his cleft palate and alter his facial appearance. Dr. Fisher’s hope is that a new look might grant Johnny a second chance in life. However, Drones remains skeptical, asserting that one’s character remains unchanged despite physical alterations. Undeterred, Johnny consents to the surgery, hoping for a fresh start.

After undergoing the transformation, Johnny rejoins society under the condition of ongoing psychological evaluation by Dr. Fisher. He finds a job in construction where he encounters Donna McCarty (Elizabeth McGovern), who sees beyond his past and recognizes his potential. Yet, Johnny struggles with his emotions, pushing her away as he grapples with a singular focus on revenge against those who betrayed him.

In a calculated move, he proposes a new heist to Rafe and Sunny, intending to rob the construction site. As their plan unfolds, tension mounts when suspicions arise, adding uncertainty to their once seemingly foolproof scheme. Johnny’s journey teeters between redemption and vengeance, as he navigates the complex web of betrayal, transformation, and the quest for justice.