Sharper 2023

Tom, the proprietor of a quaint used bookstore in New York City, experiences a life-altering encounter when Sandra steps into his world seeking a book. Initially hesitant to engage with Tom, their connection ignites into a passionate romance. However, their idyllic relationship takes a dark turn when Sandra reveals her brother’s life-threatening debt of $350,000. In a moment of desperation, Tom discloses his wealthy background and agrees to pay off the debt. Just as he hands over the funds to Sandra, she inexplicably vanishes, sending Tom into a downward spiral of anxiety and confusion.

As the layers of Sandra’s past unfold, it becomes evident that she is a parolee with a troubled history. In a flashback, before meeting Tom, she finds herself in a precarious situation with her parole officer, who attempts to extort her for money. Fortunately, she is rescued by Max, a seemingly affluent con artist, who introduces her to a life of scams. Their partnership soon blossoms into a romantic entanglement following their first successful con.

Max’s journey complicates when he visits his mother, Madeline, and her boyfriend, Richard Hobbes, in his extravagant apartment. Playing the role of the troubled son, Max feigns being arrested for soliciting drugs, manipulating the situation to extort money from Richard to cover his ‘legal fees.’ As the web of deceit unfurls, Max’s true intentions are revealed—he and Madeline are not mother and son but rather accomplices involved in targeting Richard for his wealth. Max’s volatile relationship with Madeline turns murky when Richard proposes to her, prompting Max to escape law enforcement while pocketing the cash.

Tragedy strikes with Richard’s unexpected death, leaving an overwhelming fortune to Madeline. Tom, now an unexpected heir to only the bookstore, hires a family friend, Pat Braddock, to find Sandra. Despite Madeline’s desperate attempts to thwart the investigation, Sandra is discovered—desperately addicted to heroin and aware of the underlying connection between Madeline and Max. In a bid to control the chaos, Sandra demands that Madeline locate Max, leading to a precarious meeting with untold consequences.

As tensions escalate, Tom confronts Sandra and Madeline in a shocking standoff, eventually resulting in a twisted revelation. With chaos erupting, shots are fired, leaving Tom seemingly dead. Madeline acts swiftly, transferring all funds to Richard’s foundation for self-preservation.

However, as the ride to Oklahoma City unfolds for Madeline, Max, and Sandra, an alarming truth surfaces—Tom is alive, and a bold plan begins to take shape. Working with Sandra, now embracing her nickname “Sandy,” and enlisting the help of Tipsy and his partner Goldie (disguised as Braddock), they orchestrate an elaborate scheme to outsmart Madeline and Max. Celebrating their triumphant con, Tom and Sandra rekindle their bond amidst the chaos, solidifying their commitment to one another as they revel in their newfound success.