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Plot summary

All About the Money (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

All About the Money (2017) movie poster

All About the Money is a 2017 action and adventure film, running 1 hour 30 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 426 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 15 key events in order, 4 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for All About the Money.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
15
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
All About the Money (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is All About the Money About?

The premise of All About the Money in 289 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where a single headline can turn desperation into a wild opportunity, three unlikely companions hear about a colossal bounty for the capture of a notoriously elusive outlaw. The promise of a life‑changing reward pulls them from ordinary concerns into a high‑stakes chase that feels both reckless and oddly hopeful, setting the tone for a restless, edge‑of‑your‑seat adventure that balances humor with tension.

Vince drifts through menial work, his days a blur of door‑to‑door sales that barely keep the lights on. Chris carries the weight of a fractured marriage, his confidence frayed by personal disappointment. Kurt once enjoyed the comforts of a secure position, only to find himself abruptly adrift after an unexpected dismissal. Their disparate pasts leave them restless, each quietly yearning for a chance to prove themselves and reclaim a sense of purpose.

United by a shared sense of aimlessness, the trio decides to chase the bounty, their inexperience clashing with a bold, almost naïve optimism. The prospect of a hefty payoff forces them to confront a landscape far removed from their familiar routines—foreign streets, uncharted customs, and the looming shadow of an outlaw whose reputation fuels both fear and fascination. Their chemistry oscillates between uneasy camaraderie and playful rivalry, creating a lively dynamic that keeps the journey as much about personal discovery as about the hunt.

As they step onto this precarious path, the world around them feels simultaneously exhilarating and treacherous, offering glimmers of adventure that test their courage, resourcefulness, and the fragile bonds of friendship. The promise of the reward looms large, a tantalizing beacon that drives them forward into unknown danger, leaving the audience eager to see how far they’ll go when the line between ambition and survival begins to blur.

Full plot

What Happens in All About the Money?

The complete story of All About the Money, from the first scene to the last, in 426 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

As their lives began to unravel in 2016, three former best friends found themselves at a pivotal moment, starkly different from the hopeful ambitions they held thirty years earlier. The ghosts of their troubled past resurfaced when Vince, now struggling to make ends meet by selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, confronted his stagnant existence while crashing on Chris’s couch. Meanwhile, Chris grappled with the fallout from his failed marriage, all while balancing the expectations of his wife’s affluent sugar daddy boyfriend.

In contrast, Kurt enjoyed a life of comfort working for the influential father of his wealthy wife. However, a disastrous presentation led to his abrupt dismissal, leaving him feeling shattered and rudderless. Amidst their collective aimlessness, a flicker of hope ignited in Vince’s mind—a $25 million bounty offered by authorities for the capture of a notorious drug lord.

Armed with Kurt’s wife’s credit card, the trio booked first-class tickets to South America, naively believing they were headed to Mexico. But upon arrival in Colombia, Kurt succumbed to the temptations of the cocaine trade and quickly fell into the clutches of Diego, a merciless player in the drug business. However, it was Garcia, the cartel’s fearsome leader, who took a shine to Kurt’s creative ideas for drug distribution through Canada, leaving him at the mercy of this cunning figure.

With Chris and Vince scrambling for a strategy to rescue their friend while also claiming the reward, they unexpectedly crossed paths with John Waters, a battle-hardened special ops soldier known for his guerrilla warfare expertise. Clad in his distinct attire, Waters proved to be an enigmatic but invaluable ally, employing unorthodox tactics that would change the course of their mission.

The stage was set for an audacious assault on Garcia’s stronghold, coinciding with an impending offensive from the Colombian Army. As Waters led the charge, Chris and Vince found themselves caught in an explosive whirlwind of gunfire and chaos. Amidst the pandemonium, Kurt managed to escape, but not before tragedy struck when Maria, the daughter of Garcia, fell victim to the tumultuous violence.

As the dust settled, the trio celebrated their hard-won victory, with Garcia now in custody and the reward just within reach. However, news of their daring exploits reached audiences back home, revealing that a new cartel leader had emerged from the turmoil—none other than Kurt Pomeroy himself. With the bond among the friends now precariously hanging in the balance, they were presented with yet another thrilling adventure: the chase to capture an American terrorist hiding in Afghanistan, paving the way for an exhilarating sequel ahead.

Timeline

All About the Money Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “2016: Lives Unravel” to “A New Adventure Awaits”. 7 events name a place, across 3 locations.

  1. 1

    2016: Lives Unravel

    In 2016, three former best friends, Vince, Chris, and Kurt, find their lives taking unexpected turns. They reflect on their lost ambitions and troubled past as they face different challenges in their personal lives.

    When:2016

  2. 2

    Vince's Struggles

    Vince struggles to make ends meet by selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. After hitting rock bottom, he crashes on Chris's couch, indicating the depth of his despair.

  3. 3

    Chris's Marriage Fallout

    Chris is dealing with the aftermath of his failed marriage, navigating complex emotions while balancing the expectations of his wife’s wealthy sugar daddy boyfriend. This creates a tumultuous situation that weighs heavily on him.

  4. 4

    Kurt's Dismissal

    Kurt, in stark contrast to his friends, initially enjoys a comfortable life courtesy of his wealthy wife. However, a disastrous business presentation leads to his abrupt firing, leaving him feeling lost and adrift.

  5. 5

    A Glimmer of Hope

    With their lives in disarray, Vince is inspired by the prospect of a $25 million bounty for capturing a notorious drug lord. This idea becomes the catalyst for their next series of reckless decisions.

  6. 6

    Booking the Trip

    Using Kurt’s wife’s credit card, the trio impulsively books first-class tickets to South America. They mistakenly believe they are heading to Mexico, unaware of the complexities awaiting them in Colombia.

    Where:Colombia

  7. 7

    Kurt's Downfall

    Upon arriving in Colombia, Kurt succumbs to the allure of the cocaine trade and becomes entangled with Diego, a significant player in the drug world. His descent marks the beginning of a perilous journey for the group.

    Where:Colombia

  8. 8

    Cartel Encounter

    Kurt impresses Garcia, the cartel's leader, with his creative ideas for drug distribution to Canada. This precarious alliance puts him at the mercy of Garcia, leading to high-stakes danger ahead.

    Where:Colombia

  9. 9

    New Ally: John Waters

    In their quest to save Kurt, Chris and Vince meet John Waters, a skilled special ops soldier known for his guerrilla warfare techniques. Waters becomes an invaluable ally, bringing unorthodox tactics to their plan.

  10. 10

    Assault on Garcia's Stronghold

    Armed with a new strategy, the trio prepares for an explosive assault on Garcia's stronghold just as the Colombian Army mounts an attack. The scene is set for an intense confrontation filled with chaos.

    Where:Garcia's stronghold, Colombia

Show the other 5 events of All About the Money
  1. 11

    Pandemonium Erupts

    During the assault, chaos ensues with rampant gunfire as Chris and Vince find themselves caught in the turmoil. Amidst the violence, Kurt manages to escape but not before tragedy strikes.

    Where:Garcia's stronghold, Colombia

  2. 12

    Tragedy Strikes

    In the aftermath of the explosive chaos, Maria, Garcia’s daughter, falls victim to the violence. This tragedy adds a layer of complexity to their mission and weighs heavily on the group’s conscience.

    Where:Garcia's stronghold, Colombia

  3. 13

    Celebrating Victory

    Once the dust settles, the friends celebrate their victory with Garcia now in custody. Yet, they are soon struck by news that their recklessness has unexpected consequences back home.

  4. 14

    Kurt Becomes a Cartel Leader

    News breaks that Kurt has emerged as a new cartel leader back home, turning the tables on their previous adventures. This development presents new challenges and tests their friendship.

  5. 15

    A New Adventure Awaits

    With their bond strained but not broken, the friends are presented with an exciting new opportunity: capturing an American terrorist hiding in Afghanistan. This sets the stage for their next thrilling adventure.

    Where:Afghanistan

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in All About the Money?

4 characters, among them Vince (Eddie Griffin), Chris (Casper Van Dien) and Kurt (Lin Shaye): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Eddie Griffin as Vince (Eddie Griffin) in All About the Money

    Vince (Eddie Griffin)

    Played by Eddie Griffin

    Vince is a man struggling to make ends meet, forced into a mundane existence selling vacuum cleaners. His desperation for change drives him to join his friends on a reckless adventure. His character represents the struggle of those yearning for a better life, caught in the throes of past failures.

    • 😓 Struggle
    • 🤝 Loyalty
    • 🥴 Redemption
  • Casper Van Dien as Chris (Casper Van Dien) in All About the Money

    Chris (Casper Van Dien)

    Played by Casper Van Dien

    Chris is dealing with the fallout of a failed marriage and the complexities of his wife's affluent relationship. He embodies the conflict between personal aspirations and familial obligations, making his journey a search for identity and purpose amidst chaos.

    • 💔 Heartbreak
    • 🔄 Change
    • 🏃‍♂️ Determination
  • Lin Shaye as Kurt (Lin Shaye) in All About the Money

    Kurt (Lin Shaye)

    Played by Lin Shaye

    Kurt appears to have a comfortable life but is ultimately driven by greed, leading him to a precarious situation with the drug trade. His transformation from a seemingly secure character to a key player in a dangerous environment illustrates the impact of temptation and poor choices.

    • 💰 Temptation
    • 🚀 Ambition
    • 🚷 Vulnerability
  • Stephen Stanton as John Waters (Stephen Stanton) in All About the Money

    John Waters (Stephen Stanton)

    Played by Stephen Stanton

    John Waters is a formidable ally with a military background, bringing experience and unconventional strategies to the group’s chaotic mission. His character adds depth to the story by bridging the gap between danger and the necessary tactics to confront threats.

    • 🎖️ Military
    • 🤜🤛 Allies
    • 🔫 Strategy
Setting

Where and When Is All About the Money Set?

All About the Money is set in South America, Colombia and Mexico (2016). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

2016

The events of the film unfold in 2016, a time marked by significant political and social changes in various parts of the world. During this period, issues related to drug trafficking and crime were prevalent in South America, affecting lives and communities. The characters' personal struggles mirror the larger societal challenges, highlighting themes of desperation and the quest for a better life.

Where

South America, Colombia, Mexico

The movie primarily takes place in South America, specifically Colombia, where the protagonists are drawn into the dangerous world of drug cartels. Colombia is known for its rich culture and scenic landscapes, but it also has a dark history associated with drug trafficking and violence. These contrasting aspects of the region serve as a backdrop to the characters' chaotic journey and their struggle for redemption.

  • 🌎 Adventure
  • 🏞️ Exotic
  • 🚨 Crime
Themes

What Are the Themes of All About the Money?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Wealth and Greed, Friendship and Betrayal and Action and Violence.

  1. 01

    Wealth and Greed

    The pursuit of wealth drives the characters to extreme lengths, showcasing their desperation and poor decision-making. Their initial ambitions have crumbled, leading them to chase a substantial bounty that ultimately leads to chaos and conflict. The film critiques how greed can blur moral lines and impact friendships.

  2. 02

    Friendship and Betrayal

    The strained relationships among the three friends serve as a core theme, as they grapple with personal failures and shifting loyalties. Their bond is tested by external forces and personal agendas, reflecting the complexities of human relationships amidst chaos. This theme is further complicated when they face a moral dilemma about their choices.

  3. 03

    Action and Violence

    The film portrays intense action sequences and violent confrontations, especially during their mission against the drug cartel. These moments highlight the dangers of their undertaking and the life-threatening situations they find themselves in. It amplifies the stakes as they confront the consequences of their ill-fated decisions.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is All About the Money?

Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Mixed

A chaotic and fast-paced comedic adventure fueled by bumbling amateurism, where high-stakes danger in a drug cartel's world creates constant tension with unpredictable and often humorous consequences.

  • anxious
  • chaotic
  • adventurous
  • frantic
  • mischievous
  • unpredictable
  • midlife crisis
  • misguided adventure
  • bounty hunting
  • drug cartel

Content notes: drug trade, hostage situation, war violence.

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Where to watch

Where to Watch All About the Money

Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

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FAQ

All About the Money Plot Questions

4 quick answers about All About the Money, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page.

What is All About the Money about?

In a world where a single headline can turn desperation into a wild opportunity, three unlikely companions hear about a colossal bounty for the capture of a notoriously elusive outlaw.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does All About the Money take place?

All About the Money is set in South America, Colombia and Mexico (2016). The events of the film unfold in 2016, a time marked by significant political and social changes in various parts of the world.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in All About the Money?

The story follows Vince (Eddie Griffin) (played by Eddie Griffin), Chris (Casper Van Dien) (played by Casper Van Dien), Kurt (Lin Shaye) (played by Lin Shaye) and John Waters (Stephen Stanton) (played by Stephen Stanton).

All the characters

What are the main themes of All About the Money?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Wealth and Greed, Friendship and Betrayal and Action and Violence.

The themes explained

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