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Guns Akimbo Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Guns Akimbo (2019). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


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The story begins with a provocative critique of modern society’s obsession with sensational stories, videos, and news about murder and chaos, arguing that these obsessions serve as distractions from the misery of everyday life. The film then introduces Skizm, an underground fight club where individuals are thrown into deadly contests for the entertainment of viewers across the country. Among the fighters, the most notorious is Nix, portrayed by Samara Weaving, known for her brutal prowess and relentless drive. She frequently faces new challengers, but she always emerges victorious through violence and skill.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Miles Lee Harris, played by Daniel Radcliffe, a seemingly mild-mannered and introverted computer programmer. He leads a monotonous life, working at a dull job under the thumb of a rude boss named Zander. During his free time, Miles obsessively lurks on Skizm message boards, fascinated by the violent culture surrounding the illegal fights. His quiet world begins to unravel when a Skizm administrator manages to track his IP address, forcing him to shut down his laptop to avoid further detection.

Things take a darker turn when Miles receives a bizarre message from Nova Alexander, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, his ex-girlfriend, whose picture he accidentally liked earlier. In dreams, he envisions a peaceful moment in a park with Nova where she draws a tattoo on his arm, symbolizing their connection. But his idyllic fantasy quickly shatters when he is rudely awakened by the CEO of Skizm, Riktor (played by Ned Dennehy), and his violent goons—Dane, Effie, and Fuckface (Set Sjostrand). They smash his laptop, tranquilize Miles, and fit his hands with guns, turning his life into a nightmare.

Miles is soon faced with an impossible challenge: he must kill Nix within 24 hours, or he will be killed himself. Meanwhile, Nix is given the same mission—kill Miles, with her last fight before she hopes to escape Skizm’s deadly world. She completes a drug-fueled massacre of some goons and then tracks Miles’s phone to find his whereabouts. Her attempt to kill him at his apartment is thwarted as Miles narrowly escapes, creating chaos on the streets with the deadly guns bolted to his hands.

In his desperate attempt to hide, Miles encounters a police officer, but the scene quickly becomes humiliating as the officer draws his weapon and Skizm drones broadcast his vulnerability live to viewers tuning in for entertainment. Miles flees into an alley, unintentionally shooting a cop, then helps cover up the wound before fleeing again. He later unexpectedly reunites with Nova in a park, trying to explain his bizarre situation. However, he shows her the guns, which causes her to panic and pepper spray him before she runs away.

Later, Miles finds solace in the company of Glenjamin, a homeless man played by Rhys Darby, who helps him dress and feeds him a battered hot dog. Meanwhile, Nova is questioned at a police station by Detective Degraves (Grant Bowler), who later reveals a disturbing truth: he once put Riktor behind bars, but after his release, Riktor targeted Degraves’s family with a car bomb, killing his wife and son. It turns out that Nova is Degraves’s daughter, now mentally scarred and seeking revenge, explaining her volatile behavior.

As Miles tries to escape the chaos, he attempts to have his tracker removed from his phone with the help of coworkers, but Zander’s harassment pushes him over the edge—leading him to draw his guns on his boss. Before Zander can react, Nix appears and shoots him dead. Miles seizes the opportunity to escape in a stolen car, with Nix in pursuit on a motorcycle. An intense chase culminates in an abandoned building where Miles tries to reason with Nix, but she remains determined to kill him—her PTSD triggered by explosives briefly distracts her.

Miles’s efforts to communicate with Nova are interrupted when Riktor’s goons kidnap her, demanding Miles kill Nix. He mistakenly ends up involved in a violent drug transaction, where Nix arrives just in time to shoot the dealers and inadvertently causes one to bleed out painfully. The chaos leads to Miles being captured by police and taken to Skizm headquarters. There, he surprises everyone by fighting back, shooting two villains, and teaming up with Nix, who reveals her own tragic backstory—her name is Irene Degraves and her vendetta is rooted in losing her family to Riktor.

In a daring plan, Miles and Nix expose themselves to the camera, revealing that they are alive and determined to take down Skizm. They set a trap for Riktor and his henchmen, leading to brutal confrontations involving explosives and fierce hand-to-hand combat. Nix, embracing her savage nature, sacrifices herself in a final explosive attack on the henchmen and her own life, after telling Miles to kill Riktor for her. Miles follows a message left by Nova to the rooftop, where Riktor attempts to escape. Despite being shot multiple times, Miles keeps fighting, ultimately overpowers him, and throws Riktor off the ledge.

As Riktor hangs on, he taunts Miles with plans to franchise Skizm globally—an idea Miles dismisses by loosening his grip and causing his death. The viewers watching cheer the apparent victory, although Miles’s blood loss causes hallucinations, including a brief fantasy where Nova runs to him—only to be horrified to realize she’s witnessing his violent act. The film concludes with Miles having the guns removed, and while he does not rekindle his relationship with Nova, she has created a comic book inspired by his heroics, titled “Guns Akimbo,” celebrating his unexpected rise as a vigilante.

Now committed to tracking and dismantling Skizm worldwide, Miles transforms from a timid programmer into a reluctant hero, determined to end the bloody chaos that nearly destroyed him. His story is a raw, darkly humorous tale of ordinary people forced to become extraordinary in circumstances that challenge their morals, resilience, and humanity.


Guns Akimbo Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Guns Akimbo (2019) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Introduction of Society's Morbid Fascination

The film opens with a virtual floating head criticizing society for their obsession with violent stories, videos, and news articles. It suggests that these entertainments distract people from their own misery, setting a tone of societal critique and a dark commentary on media consumption.

Introduction of Skizm Fight Club

The movie introduces Skizm, an underground fight club where participants fight each other to the death for entertainment. The fights are broadcast to viewers across the country, highlighting the brutal, dystopian nature of this underground sport.

Meet Miles Lee Harris

Miles Lee Harris, a mild-mannered computer programmer, is shown working a dull job and lurking on Skizm message boards. He is characterized as introverted and disconnected from the chaotic environment of Skizm, but he has an interest in the underground fight scene.

Skizm Tracks Miles

Skizm’s admin manages to track Miles’s IP address, leading to his laptop being destroyed and him being tranquilized. This marks the start of Miles’s involuntary participation in the deadly game as he wakes up with guns bolted to his hands.

Assignment to Kill Nix

Miles receives a message that he must kill Nix within 24 hours, while Nix is informed that her last job will be targeting Miles and she is close to escaping Skizm. Nix, a notorious fighter, immediately begins hunting for Miles after completing a violent drug-fueled job.

Initial Encounters and Escape

Nix tracks Miles, attempting to kill him at his apartment, but Miles manages to escape. He then tries to hide, including talking to police officers who mistake him for a threat, leading to more chaos and exposure to the viewers online.

Miles Meets Nova and Seeks Help

Miles encounters his ex-girlfriend Nova at the park and attempts to explain himself, but she reacts violently and runs away. Miles also receives help from a homeless man named Glenjamin, who advises him on his dire situation.

Tracking and Confronting Nix

Detective Degraves and Stanton hack into Nova’s phone to track Miles, while Miles seeks help from his coworker to remove the tracker. Meanwhile, Nix continues her relentless pursuit through violent confrontations and car chases, trying to kill Miles.

Ransom and Betrayal

Riktor, Skizm’s CEO, kidnaps Nova and threatens Miles to kill Nix, or Nova will die. Miles faces violent conflicts involving drug dealers, law enforcement, and Skizm’s henchmen, leading to the death of one of the dealers and further chaos.

Climactic Battle at Skizm Headquarters

Miles and Nix team up to attack Riktor’s headquarters. They fight through henchmen and bombs, with Nix sacrificing herself to set off explosives and ensure her own demise. Miles ultimately confronts Riktor on the roof, leading to Riktor’s death and the viewers’ cheers.

Skizm Headquarters

Miles Overcomes and Reflects

After Riktor’s death, Miles is severely injured but victorious. He loosens Riktor’s grip to save himself, and viewers celebrate his win. The film concludes with Miles becoming a vigilante against Skizm, inspired by Nova’s creation of a comic book based on his heroics.

Guns Akimbo Characters

Explore all characters from Guns Akimbo (2019). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Miles Lee Harris (Daniel Radcliffe)

A mild-mannered programmer trapped in a deadly game, Miles is reluctant but brave, transforming from a passive tech worker into a resourceful fighter. His journey highlights resilience and the unexpected heroism that emerges under extreme circumstances.

💻 😌 Hero Reluctant

Nix (Samara Weaving)

A fierce and violent challenger in Skizm, Nix is relentless in her mission for revenge and freedom from her past. Her brutal demeanor conceals a complex character driven by loss and a desire for justice.

🔥 💀 Vigilante Fighter

Riktor (Ned Dennehy)

The ruthless CEO of Skizm, Riktor embodies corporate cruelty and manipulates chaos for profit. His obsession with expanding his violent franchise symbolizes the corrupting influence of power and money.

🏢 💼 Villain Corrupt

Nova (Natasha Liu Bordizzo)

Miles’s ex-girlfriend, Nova is strong-willed and resourceful. Her involvement in the chaos underscores themes of past trauma and the search for liberation from destructive environments.

💪 💔 Survivor Support

Glenjamin (Rhys Darby)

A quirky homeless man who offers comic relief and unexpected wisdom, Glenjamin embodies street-smart resilience and provides emotional support to Miles during his darkest moments.

😂 🧓 Wise Comic Relief

Guns Akimbo Settings

Learn where and when Guns Akimbo (2019) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

Present day

Set in contemporary times, the film reflects current digital culture and the proliferation of online fight competitions. It showcases modern technology, social media influence, and the impact of internet fame in the context of violent entertainment, emphasizing the current societal obsession with virtual and real-life violence.

Location

Skizm Underground Fight Club, City Streets, Police Station, Gamer Cafe, Skizm Headquarters, Abandoned Building

The movie predominantly takes place in a gritty urban environment, centered around the underground fight club Skizm and the city streets where Miles tries to escape. Key locations also include the police station, a gamer café for hacking, and a clandestine Skizm headquarters. These places highlight the chaos and lawlessness driven by the underground fight culture and digital notoriety.

🌆 Urban 🥊 Fight Club 🚓 Law Enforcement 🎮 Gaming 🏢 Corporate

Guns Akimbo Themes

Discover the main themes in Guns Akimbo (2019). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🎭

Violence and Entertainment

The film explores how society consumes violence as entertainment, exemplified by the underground fight club Skizm. It questions the desensitization of viewers and the dark side of fame generated through violence, highlighting the blurred lines between spectator and participant.

🤝

Redemption and Loyalty

Miles and Nix develop a begrudging partnership based on shared motives, illustrating themes of redemption and trust. Their journey signifies the importance of allyship forged through adversity and personal growth amidst chaos.

💻

Digital Obsession

The movie underscores society's obsession with digital media, social networks, and online personas. Miles’s transformation from an unnoticed programmer to an online hero reflects how digital fame can impact real-world actions and perceptions.

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Guns Akimbo Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Guns Akimbo (2019). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In a near‑future world where society’s appetite for violent spectacle has become a form of digital religion, a hidden network called Skizm stages brutal, gladiator‑style contests that are streamed to a ravenous online audience. The competition is presented as pure entertainment, yet its shadowy organizers profit from every scream and click, turning human life into a lucrative performance. The tone is a gritty, hyper‑real blend of dark satire and high‑octane action, constantly reminding the viewer that the line between observer and participant is dangerously thin.

Miles Lee Harris is a mild‑mannered computer programmer whose life revolves around routine jobs, solitary evenings, and a quiet existence that barely registers on anyone’s radar. He spends his free time trolling the very forums that glorify the underground fights, never imagining that his digital footprints could pull him into the arena himself. His world is abruptly shattered when a personal message from his former girlfriend, Nova Alexander, drags him into a nightmare he never signed up for.

Suddenly thrust into the chaotic heart of Skizm, Miles discovers that the only way to rescue Nova is to face the formidable champion known only as Nix. The stakes are unforgiving: he must survive a relentless, televised duel against a heavily armed opponent while a shadowy organization watches, ready to cut the leash at any moment. The atmosphere crackles with tension, balancing visceral combat sequences with a biting commentary on the audience’s complicity in the blood‑sport.

As the countdown to his confrontation looms, Miles is forced to shed his anonymity and become the reluctant symbol of the fight—dubbed “Guns Akimbo” by the viewers. The film teeters between relentless action and a thought‑provoking look at a society that feeds on chaos, leaving us to wonder whether a single unlikely hero can outgun the very system that turned him into a weapon.

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