Directed by
Ethan Coen
Made by
Miramax Films
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for No Country for Old Men (2007). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
West Texas in June 1980 presents a barren landscape, where Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) grapples with the escalating violence that shadows his family’s legacy in law enforcement. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), while hunting pronghorn, stumbles upon the aftermath of a disastrous drug deal. The sight is gruesome: several dead men, some dogs, a gravely injured Mexican pleading for water, and a satchel containing two million dollars, which he takes to his trailer. That fateful night, as he returns later with water for the wounded man, he is startled by two men in a truck, leading to the loss of his vehicle. With his intimate knowledge of the terrain, Moss manages to evade his pursuers.
Upon returning home, he quickly hides the cash in the air vent of his motel room after sending his wife Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald) to her mother’s for safety. Meanwhile, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a remorseless hitman, is on the hunt for the stolen money. He’s already left a trail of horror, including the murder of a sheriff’s deputy, which facilitated his escape. Chigurh’s chilling method involves a coin toss, offering his victims a chance at survival based on chance.
As Bell investigates the ensuing violence, Chigurh discovers Moss’s abandoned truck at the drug deal site. Tasked with reclaiming the money, he is handed a tracking device by the buyers and swiftly eliminates them before zeroing in on Moss. After Chigurh breaks into Moss’s hideout, he ambushes a group of Mexicans intending to confront Moss, but the hunter remains one step ahead. Chigurh’s attempt to find Moss in a hotel culminates in a violent standoff, leaving both men injured. Moss manages to hide the satchel near the border but is ultimately taken to a Mexican hospital, desperate and battered.
In the meantime, the resourceful Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson), another hired gun aiming to stop Chigurh, approaches Moss with an offer of protection. Back home, Bell warns Carla Jean of the imminent danger, advising her to keep in touch so he can lend protection to her husband.
Chigurh’s ruthlessness continues as he ambushes and kills Wells before he can assist Moss, further complicating matters when he tauntingly answers Moss’s call from Wells’s phone, promising safety for Carla Jean in exchange for the money. Refusing to be swayed, Moss attempts to make arrangements with Carla Jean but is thwarted by fate when armed men confront him at a motel, leading to his eventual demise.
Bell’s arrival at the scene reveals Chigurh’s methodical brutality, as he discovers that the vent cover has been removed, indicating Moss’s unsuccessful tactics for hiding the money. Following the chaos, Bell confides in his Uncle Ellis (Barry Corbin), contemplating retirement as he feels ill-equipped to handle the monstrous reality of their world.
As tragedies unfold, Carla Jean, returning from her mother’s funeral, faces Chigurh. He offers her a dire choice through a coin toss, but she challenges him, stating the power lies with him. The open-ended fate leaves Chigurh to depart alone, a chilling implication suggesting he has taken her life. Finally, now retired, Bell shares symbolic dreams with his wife (Tess Harper)—one about losing a treasured gift from his father, and another where he and his father traverse a snowy pass, hinting at a reunion in the afterlife that he longs for.
Follow the complete movie timeline of No Country for Old Men (2007) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Sheriff's Struggles
In June 1980, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell confronts the rise of violence in West Texas. As he grapples with his family's legacy in law enforcement, he feels increasingly outmatched by the chaos engulfing his community.
Discovery of the Drug Deal
While hunting pronghorn in the barren landscape, Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon a devastating drug deal gone wrong. Finding multiple dead men and a dying Mexican pleading for water, he discovers a satchel filled with two million dollars, which he decides to take.
Return of the Cash
That night, Moss returns to the scene to bring water to the wounded Mexican. However, he is startled by two men in a truck, resulting in a frantic escape that leaves him without his vehicle.
Hiding the Money
Back at his motel, Moss quickly hides the retrieved cash in the air vent to prevent detection. He sends his wife, Carla Jean, to stay with her mother for her safety, aware of the dangers that the money has attracted.
Chigurh's Pursuit
Anton Chigurh, a relentless hitman, begins tracking Moss down to retrieve the stolen money. He leaves a bloody trail behind him, including the murder of a sheriff's deputy, showcasing his brutal nature.
Finding the Truck
As Bell investigates the violent fallout of the drug deal, Chigurh finds Moss's abandoned truck at the scene. He receives a tracking device from the buyers, allowing him to hone in on Moss's location after dispatching those who stand in his way.
Ambush and Narrow Escapes
Chigurh breaks into Moss's hideout and ambushes a group of Mexicans looking for him. However, Moss continually stays one step ahead, managing to evade capture despite the increasing danger.
Moss's Injury
During a violent confrontation at a hotel, both Moss and Chigurh suffer injuries. Moss attempts to hide the satchel of cash near the border but realizes he needs medical attention and ends up in a Mexican hospital.
Carson Wells's Intervention
Carson Wells, another hired gun, approaches Moss with an offer to protect him from Chigurh. However, their meeting is cut short when Chigurh tracks Wells down, killing him before he can provide assistance.
Chigurh's Threat
After killing Wells, Chigurh taunts Moss by answering his phone call, promising safety for Carla Jean if he hands over the money. Moss, determined to protect his wife, refuses to give in to Chigurh's psychological games.
Confrontation and Demise
Moss arranges to meet Carla Jean, but his plans are thwarted by armed men who confront him at a motel. This confrontation leads him to a tragic end, robbing him of any chance at safety.
Bell's Discovery
Upon arriving at the motel, Sheriff Bell discovers the chaos Chigurh has inflicted. He realizes that Moss's attempts to hide the money were in vain, indicated by the removed vent cover, signaling a loss of control over the situation.
Seeking Guidance
Bell confides in his Uncle Ellis, reflecting on the overwhelming violence that weighs on him. He expresses doubts about his ability to cope with such brutality, contemplating retirement as he feels outmatched.
Final Confrontation with Carla Jean
After returning home from her mother's funeral, Carla Jean is confronted by Chigurh. He presents her with a deadly coin toss choice, signaling the depth of despair and loss surrounding their situation.
Bell's Reflection
Now retired, Bell shares poignant dreams with his wife that reflect on loss and longing for connection. One dream hints at a reunion with his father, suggesting a yearning for redemption and peace amid the chaos that enveloped his life.
Explore all characters from No Country for Old Men (2007). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Sheriff Ed Tom Bell
Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is a seasoned lawman burdened by the escalating violence in his community. As he grapples with his family legacy and the limits of his authority, Bell reflects on the changing moral landscape of law enforcement. His character embodies the struggle between duty and the haunting realization that he may no longer be fit for the job.
Llewelyn Moss
Llewelyn Moss is a rugged, resourceful individual who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a deadly game after discovering a drug deal gone wrong. His instinctive survival skills and knowledge of the terrain highlight his determination, yet his choices set off a chain of violent events. Moss ultimately becomes a tragic figure, paying the price for his decisions.
Anton Chigurh
Anton Chigurh is a chilling antagonist whose remorseless nature is defined by his philosophical views on fate and chance. As a hitman, he employs brutal methods to achieve his objectives, leaving a trail of terror in his wake. Chigurh's character serves as a stark reminder of the darker aspects of human nature and the unpredictability of life.
Learn where and when No Country for Old Men (2007) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
June 1980
The year 1980 was a tumultuous period in America, marked by significant social changes and an increasing sense of lawlessness in certain regions. The backdrop of the drug trade highlights the rampant violence that emerged during this decade, affecting small-town life and law enforcement. Additionally, this era reflects the shifting dynamics of moral choices faced by individuals.
Location
West Texas
West Texas is characterized by its vast, arid landscapes that evoke a sense of isolation and desolation. Known for its wide-open spaces and rugged terrain, it serves as a fitting backdrop for the film's exploration of violence and morality. The stark environment mirrors the harsh realities faced by the characters involved.
Discover the main themes in No Country for Old Men (2007). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Morality
The theme of morality is central to the film, questioning the ethical choices made by individuals amid chaos and violence. Characters grapple with their principles, often facing dire consequences for their actions. The complexity of right and wrong is portrayed through their interactions and decisions, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.
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Violence
Violence is a pervasive theme in the film, depicted as both a tool and a consequence of human behavior. The characters navigate a world where brutality is common, and actions often lead to unexpected repercussions. This theme emphasizes the fragility of life and the impact of choices made in the heat of conflict.
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Fate
Fate plays a significant role in the narrative, highlighting the randomness and unpredictability of life and death. Characters are faced with choices that seem to hinge on chance, similar to Chigurh's coin toss. This theme underscores the idea that control is often an illusion, with events spiraling out of individual influence.
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