Ride Along (2014) Plot Summary & Timeline

Hacker A.J. finds himself inspecting a daunting list on the computer while aboard crime lord Antonio Pope’s luxurious boat. Suddenly, Pope accuses Port Commissioner Griffin of theft during a heated phone call. Despite Griffin’s vehement denial, Pope orders a hit on him and subsequently tells A.J. to track down the culprit who pilfered his money.

Fast forward two years after the events of the previous film, and we catch up with James, who is now partnered with Detective Mayfield as they attempt to take down drug dealer Troy. The situation escalates when Troy pulls a gun on James, prompting his ally, Ben, who watches everything unfold via camera, to rush in for assistance. In a comical yet tense moment, Ben tries to assert his authority, only to fumble his badge, leading to a chaotic shootout that results in Mayfield being shot and Troy managing to escape. In the rearview mirror of this tumultuous chase, James is on a determined mission to capture Troy, who they eventually track down in a parking garage, uncovering a flash drive in the process.

With Mayfield now hospitalized, Lt. Brooks orders James to head to Miami to uncover Troy’s connections. Meanwhile, Ben is eager to join the mission to prove himself worthy of detective status, although his recent blunders leave the team skeptical of his capabilities. Fortunately, Angela steps in and convinces James to bring Ben along, citing that his interference in wedding planning is proving problematic. Thus, the duo embarks on a road trip to Miami, setting the stage for a whirlwind of thrills.

In Miami, the comedy unfolds as Ben attempts to access homicide detective Maya Cruz’s computer without authorization, leading to a hilarious punishment. Soon, they locate A.J., who cryptically reveals that a safe hidden in a club holds vital information. However, meeting this informant leads them to an unexpected confrontation when they discover he is also one of Pope’s hitmen. A.J. cleverly creates a diversion that allows them to escape, but not before James finds himself in another shootout. Their escapades take a chaotic turn when they discover the safe is empty, and James’s car is rigged with explosives, which comically blows up, leaving them in a state of disbelief.

Amidst this turmoil, Ben realizes he has A.J.’s phone and reaches out to his girlfriend Tasha for help in tracking him down. Using the information that A.J. has been unfaithful, he persuades her to assist. Once they locate A.J., he joins their investigation and reveals shocking details: Pope is not as he seems, hiding behind the facade of a respectable entrepreneur while orchestrating criminal activities beneath the surface, in cahoots with the new port commissioner, Nuñez. Their investigation leads them to the home of Maya’s friend, Alonso, where an accidental shooting incident occurs that ironically confirms their suspicions about Pope’s criminal dealings.

James, Ben, and Maya infiltrate a lavish party at Pope’s mansion, where chaos ensues as Maya distracts Pope with her dance moves, providing an opportunity for the others to rummage for incriminating information with help from A.J. After a near-fatal encounter with an alligator, they collect critical intel, only for Pope to reveal that he’s well aware of their true identities, yet he lets them escape. They put the pieces together, attempting to locate a fleet of shipping trucks thought to be transporting Pope’s illicit goods. Unfortunately, their lead turns fruitless as the first truck they investigate is empty, inciting the wrath of Hernandez.

Reflecting on the mishaps over drinks at a bar, Maya speculates about how quickly Nuñez arrived at the port, connecting the dots about his possible ties to Pope. This revelation propels James, Maya, and A.J. into a race against time to apprehend Pope, but in a comedic twist, they handcuff Ben to a pole, leaving him to break free and rush to Alonso’s for help.

As dawn breaks, the trio gears up at the port hoping to catch Pope off guard. Just as Ben arrives, a chaotic shootout erupts, culminating in an explosion that engulfs a container filled with flammable barrels. The chase reaches a perilous climax when Pope takes A.J. hostage, leading to a tense showdown. In a selfless act, Ben takes a bullet meant for James, allowing James to retaliate and successfully shoot down Pope, while Maya delivers the final blow.

In a heartwarming conclusion, James and Ben’s efforts pay off as they are honored for their role in apprehending both Pope and Nuñez. As they make their way back to Atlanta in a flashy yellow Lamborghini gifted to them by Maya, the air is filled with excitement for Ben and Angela’s wedding. Their ceremony is filled with laughter and joy, and when Ben requests James to give a speech, James reluctantly obliges. He candidly shares how Ben has led him into countless mishaps, yet has also saved his life and made Angela incredibly happy, marking profound personal growth for James as both a man and a cop. As Ben and Angela depart on a speedboat, a comedic moment strikes when Ben unexpectedly flies off due to hitting a wave, leaving James in fits of laughter amidst the chaos.