Land of Bad 2024

Action

Thriller

Box Office

$7M

Runtime

1 h 53 m

Language

English

Directed by

William Eubank

Made by

Volition Media Partners

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Land of Bad Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Land of Bad (2024). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The Sulu Sea is notorious for harboring some of the most violent extremist factions in Southeast Asia, leading to a continuous battle between intelligence agencies and these groups through covert operations. One such operation is launched from the Palawan Air Base in the Philippines.

In the midst of this turmoil, Captain Eddie “Reaper” Grimm (Russell Crowe), a US Air Force drone pilot, finds himself supporting a vital mission alongside Staff Sergeant Nia Branson (Chika Ikogwe). They provide essential air support to a US Army Delta Force team tasked with rescuing a CIA spy who had been gathering intelligence on Alexander Petrov, a nefarious Russian arms dealer and former KGB operative. Among the Delta Force team are Sergeant JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), who functions as the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), and Sergeant Abell (Luke Hemsworth), guiding grim military operations from above.

As they embark on this perilous mission, Nia aims to prepare for her own wedding, hoping for Eddie to walk her down the aisle. However, their plans are complicated by Eddie’s ongoing commitments and interruptions. Meanwhile, Eddie juggles communications with his pregnant wife, Lucy, ensuring her sister is ready to rush her to the hospital if labor begins while he is on duty. Unfortunately, leaving his phone accessible to others during the mission room’s intense focus proves to be yet another challenge.

Once deployed, the team makes their way to the target area, navigating 8 kilometers across treacherous terrain. Just as they near their objective, a catastrophic systems malfunction disables the drone’s visual connection to the control room, leaving Eddie and Kinney blind to enemy positions. In a scramble to fix the drone, they are compelled to retreat back to base.

Upon repairs, the drone returns to the air just in time for the team to identify both Petrov and Saeed Hashimi, the head of Abu Sayyaf, who is engaged in a dangerous transaction for weapons. The situation escalates dramatically when Hashimi resorts to horrific violence, prompting the team to request immediate airstrikes. Just as Eddie prepares to assist, a firefight erupts, leaving Kinney as seemingly the lone survivor in a desperate situation.

Through relentless communication, Eddie guides Kinney to an extraction point while dodging hostile forces. In a tense climax, Kinney falls victim to capturing terrorists, but a twist unfolds as his comrade Master Sergeant John “Sugar” Sweet emerges alive to rescue him, sharing dire news about other teammates taken prisoner.

Utilizing Sweet’s radio, Kinney coordinates a series of bombings against the Abu Sayyaf base while grappling with his own imminent peril as superiors demand his and Eddie’s withdrawal from the mission due to duty hour limits. As chaos ensues, Sweet is tragically killed in the initial blasts, and Kinney manages to save himself amid the impending bombings and chaos.

Even after the waves of bombings, Kinney’s fight for survival is far from over. Captured again, he uncovers a means of escape and contacts Grimm, who is oblivious due to personal distractions at the grocery store. Ultimately, with swift action, Grimm races against time to save his comrades, culminating in a gripping rescue that highlights both the intense pressures faced by military personnel and the impact of distractions during critical operations.

As they finally return from this harrowing ordeal, Eddie expresses his frustrations to his superiors, lamenting how close they came to losing lives due to negligence. In an emotional conclusion, he finds solace with Branson, agreeing to walk her down the aisle and sharing a dance, amidst the echoes of chaos left behind.

Land of Bad Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Land of Bad (2024) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

The Sulu Sea Operations

The Sulu Sea is known for its violent extremist factions, which have led to various covert operations by intelligence agencies. These missions are crucial for national security and showcase the challenges faced by military personnel in the region.

Sulu Sea

Mission Planning at Palawan Air Base

A critical mission is launched from Palawan Air Base in the Philippines aimed at rescuing a CIA spy who has been gathering intelligence on Alexander Petrov. The planning involves coordination between the US Air Force and the US Army's Delta Force.

Palawan Air Base

Eddie and Nia Prepare for the Mission

Captain Eddie Grimm and Staff Sergeant Nia Branson gear up for their vital air support mission. Amid the preparations, Nia is anxious about her upcoming wedding and hopes Eddie can walk her down the aisle, but their mission complicates things.

Eddie's Family Commitments

As the mission approaches, Eddie juggles communications with his pregnant wife, Lucy. He arranges for her sister to take her to the hospital if labor begins while he is on duty, adding emotional pressure during the intense operation.

Deployment to the Target Area

The Delta Force team embarks towards their target, traversing 8 kilometers of dangerous terrain. Their mission is critical, yet the challenges of navigating such hostile ground increase their risk of ambush.

Drone Malfunction

As the team nears their objective, a catastrophic systems malfunction occurs, disabling the drone's visual connection. Eddie and Sergeant JJ Kinney scramble to restore control, but they are forced to retreat, illustrating the high-stakes nature of their work.

Identifying the Target

After repairs, the drone returns to the air, allowing the team to identify Petrov and Saeed Hashimi. The situation turns dire as Hashimi's violence prompts a request for immediate airstrikes to protect the mission and the team.

Firefight Erupts

A sudden firefight breaks out just as Eddie prepares to assist ground forces. Sergeant Kinney finds himself in a precarious situation where he must navigate through enemy fire, leaving him seemingly the lone survivor.

Kinney's Extraction

Through intense communication, Eddie guides Kinney towards an extraction point while dodging hostile forces. Despite the chaos, Kinney faces capture but is assisted by Master Sergeant John Sweet, who shares critical information about their teammates.

Coordination of Bombings

Using Sweet's radio, Kinney coordinates bombings against the Abu Sayyaf base while battling time constraints imposed by their superiors. The situation escalates when Sweet is tragically killed during the initial blasts, increasing Kinney's urgency.

Kinney's Struggle for Survival

Even after the bombings, Kinney's ordeal continues as he is captured again. He manages to uncover a way to escape, revealing his resilience amidst chaotic circumstances and further complicating Eddie's ability to assist.

Grimm’s Race Against Time

While at the grocery store, Eddie is oblivious to the unfolding crisis. Once he is alerted, he races against time to save his comrades, reflecting the personal distractions that can impact critical military operations.

Rescue Operation

As Eddie orchestrates a rescue, the operation showcases the intense pressure faced by military personnel. He successfully saves Kinney, epitomizing the coordination and bravery required during such high-stakes missions.

Frustrations with Command

Returning from the mission, Eddie confronts his superiors, expressing his frustrations over the near loss of lives due to negligence. This moment reflects the emotional toll and accountability experienced by military leaders during operations.

Finding Solace After Chaos

In the aftermath, Eddie finds emotional solace with Nia, agreeing to walk her down the aisle. This moment of reprieve amidst the chaos emphasizes the personal costs that military operations impose on service members and their families.

Land of Bad Characters

Explore all characters from Land of Bad (2024). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Captain Eddie 'Reaper' Grimm

Eddie is a dedicated US Air Force drone pilot entangled in a life-and-death mission. While focused on his duties, he grapples with personal distractions, particularly concerning his pregnant wife and wedding plans for his colleague, showcasing his commitment to both his job and relationships.

👨‍✈️ Military 😓 Stress

Staff Sergeant Nia Branson

Nia is a determined and resilient air support officer who shares a close bond with Eddie. Aiming to prepare for her wedding while serving in intense conditions, her character represents the struggle of maintaining personal aspirations amidst the chaos of military life.

💍 Wedding 🛡️ Support

Sergeant JJ Kinney

A skilled Joint Terminal Attack Controller, JJ fights to maintain communication with his team amidst perilous circumstances. His character embodies courage and desperation as he goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of his comrades during a chaotic mission.

🔥 Combat 🤔 Leadership

Sergeant Abell

Sergeant Abell plays a crucial role in guiding the operation from above, bringing tactical expertise to the mission. His character reflects the weight of command responsibilities and the urgency of providing accurate support during crisis situations.

🚁 Air Support 🏅 Leadership

Land of Bad Settings

Learn where and when Land of Bad (2024) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie unfolds during a present-day conflict involving global security threats, particularly focusing on the fight against terrorism in Southeast Asia. The narrative highlights the ongoing struggles of military personnel in executing intelligence-driven operations amidst personal challenges.

Location

Sulu Sea, Palawan Air Base, Philippines

The Sulu Sea is known for its turbulent waters and as a hotspot for extremist factions, making it a critical area for military operations. Palawan Air Base serves as a vital staging ground for US forces, offering strategic support for missions aimed at countering terrorism in the region.

🌊 Ocean 🏢 Military Base

Land of Bad Themes

Discover the main themes in Land of Bad (2024). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

⚔️

Conflict

The film delves into the complexities of modern warfare where intelligence and covert operations clash with personal commitments. It portrays the emotional toll on military personnel as they balance high-stakes missions against their own lives and relationships.

🤝

Teamwork

Through the collaboration of drone pilots and ground troops, the story emphasizes the importance of unity in overcoming adversity. The characters must rely on each other's skills and communication to navigate dangerous situations, showcasing the essence of camaraderie in warfare.

💔

Sacrifice

The theme of sacrifice is prevalent as characters face life-threatening situations, highlighting their willingness to risk everything for one another. It reflects on the emotional struggles of leaving loved ones behind while involved in dangerous operations.

Land of Bad Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Land of Bad (2024) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

After a brutal and chaotic rescue mission gone wrong, the film culminates in a tense race against time. Kinney is captured by Sayyaf’s men and taken hostage in a jungle hut, seemingly far from rescue. Meanwhile, Reaper, the commanding officer, tries desperately to intervene from afar. Despite the negligence and interference by his superiors, Reaper manages to track down Kinney, Sweet, and Bishop, and in a daring effort, he instructs the team to abort a missile strike that is about to destroy the cave where Kinney and the others are hiding. Thanks to Reaper’s quick thinking and persistence, the order is eventually given just in time, saving the team from a likely slaughter. During the chaos, Kinney fights his way through enemies, kills Sayyaf, and frees a crucial asset, a prisoner with valuable intelligence, all in the process. The film concludes with Kinney, Bishop, and the rescued asset being evacuated safely by helicopter. The last scenes reveal Reaper’s personal sacrifice: he cares deeply about his team and the mission, and he also finds a moment of tenderness by asking Nia to be part of his life, promising to walk her down the aisle. This emotional connection underscores his growth and humanity amidst the chaos. Ultimately, the story ends on a note of redemption and hope, emphasizing the courage and heroism that define the characters.

After a harrowing mission full of chaos and risk, the story reaches its climax in a tense race against time. Kinney, injured and captured, is held hostage in a jungle hut while Sayyaf’s men threaten his life. From afar, Reaper fights to save them, despite facing interference and negligence from his superiors who are distracted and disconnected. Reaper’s quick decision to communicate with the team on the ground and to order an abort of the missile strike at the last possible moment saves Kinney, Bishop, and the asset from certain death. In this critical moment, Kinney fights back fiercely, killing Sayyaf and rescuing an important prisoner who holds vital intelligence, clearing the way for their escape. The film concludes with all of them being evacuated by helicopter, symbolizing their survival and the success of the mission. The ending also reveals Reaper’s personal growth as he embraces a moment of tenderness with Nia, asking her to walk him down the aisle—a gesture that symbolizes hope, love, and the human side behind the soldier’s tough exterior. This combination of heroism, sacrifice, and emotional connection leaves viewers with a sense of redemption and optimism, underscoring that even in the face of chaos, courage and compassion can prevail.

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