What Is The Sting II About?
The premise of The Sting II in 293 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the twilight of the Great Depression and on the brink of a world at war, the film opens on a city that hums with smoky back‑rooms, bustling train stations, and the lingering promise of post‑war prosperity. The atmosphere crackles with a classic 1940s charm, where sharp suits and clever repartee mask a landscape of high‑stakes gambling and underground power. Within this world, seasoned grifters plot a daring scheme that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh, trading the era’s anxieties for a game of wits that promises big rewards.
Hooker, a modest‑sized boxer with a reputation for taking falls, finds himself at the center of the plan. He is paired with the veteran con artist Gondorff, fresh out of prison and driven by a personal code of revenge. Their partnership is a study in contrast: Hooker brings a raw, unpolished energy, while Gondorff supplies the seasoned confidence of a man who has survived countless cons. Into their orbit steps the savvy newcomer Veronica, a quick‑witted grifter whose presence adds a fresh spark and a subtle tension to the trio’s dynamic. Their collaboration feels like a carefully choreographed dance, each character balancing personal ambition with the collective goal of pulling off an elaborate ruse.
The story’s tone blends the tension of a high‑stakes gamble with the light‑hearted banter of classic caper cinema. Shadows of the past linger, especially in the form of Lonnegan, a figure from an earlier con who now looms as a potential catalyst for unforeseen complications. Meanwhile, the ultimate target, the powerful racketeer Macalinski, embodies the towering challenge that drives the protagonists to test their limits. As the con takes shape, the film immerses the audience in an atmosphere of intrigue, style, and the intoxicating thrill of outsmarting a ruthless world.
What Happens in The Sting II?
The complete story of The Sting II, from the first scene to the last, in 188 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In 1940, with the Great Depression behind them and World War II just beginning, Fargo Gondorff is released from prison and reassembles his cronies for another daring con, driven by a desire to avenge the murder of his lifelong pal and fellow con artist Kid Colors. Gondorff’s plan relies on a bold scheme from his young protégé, Jake Hooker, who attempts a scam on the wealthy Countess Veronique, only to discover she is a grifter herself named Veronica.
To pull it off, Gondorff and Hooker stage a boxing con aimed at two powerful targets: Lonnegan, the ruthless banker and gangster who wants revenge for a previous con, and Gus Macalinski, a wealthy local racketeer. Hooker pretends to be a boxer on the verge of taking a fall, while Macalinski is hoodwinked into losing hundreds of thousands and coaxed by Lonnegan to alter his original wager.
As the con unfolds, one gangster moves against the other, and Gondorff and Hooker make their way to the train station with a bag full of money and tickets out of town, all while Veronica delivers a final twist that reshapes the outcome.
The Sting II Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Gondorff's release and reunion” to “Escape with the payoff”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Gondorff's release and reunion
Fargo Gondorff is released from prison and wastes no time reassembling his trusted cronies for another elaborate con. He explains that the goal is to avenge the murder of his lifelong friend Kid Colors. The group agrees to pull off a plan that could outsmart their targets and restore their standing in the underworld.
When:1940 Where:Prison gates
- 2
Plotting a revenge con
The assembled crew hones in on a boxing-based con designed to target both Lonnegan and Gus Macalinski. They want to ensure that at least one of the criminals is behind Kid Colors' death, and that the other will be drawn into their web. The plan leans on misdirection, patience, and a flawless public performance.
When:1940 Where:Gondorff's hideout
- 3
Hooker tests Veronique
Jake Hooker tries to trick Countess Veronique, a wealthy socialite who seems to be a potential mark. The moment reveals that Veronique is more than she appears, hinting at a larger deception in play. Hooker's gambit sets the tone for the double-edged con to come.
When:1940 Where:Veronique's social circle
- 4
Veronique revealed as Veronica
It is revealed that Countess Veronique is actually Veronica, a grifter who will weave herself into the con. This twist confirms the deception at the heart of the plan and signals a broader alliance among the players. The crew accepts Veronica's unorthodox role in the scheme.
When:1940 Where:Safe house
- 5
Boxing con crafted
With Veronica on board, they finalize a boxing-based con that will be the centerpiece of their operation. The setup depends on a staged fight and a fake payout to mislead their targets. The team rehearses the cues, timing, and social theatrics needed for the ruse.
When:1940 Where:Boxing venue
- 6
Hooker goes undercover as a boxer
Hooker poses as a boxer who is about to throw a big fight, drawing Macalinski's interest and commensurate risk. The ruse relies on timing and the unwitting participation of Macalinski in the fake bet. The audience and Lonnegan are poised to be drawn into the trap.
When:1940 Where:Boxing venue
- 7
Macalinski betrayed and bankrupted
Macalinski is hoodwinked into losing hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of the con, and he is then pressured by Lonnegan to alter his wager. The scheme leverages the lender's influence and the investors' nerves. The financial hit deepens the antagonism between the players and the plan.
When:1940 Where:Gambling den
- 8
Lonnegan moves to seal the deal
Lonnegan attempts to salvage the situation by pushing for changes to the wager, hoping to tilt the odds in his favor. His counter-moves propel the con toward its climax, as the men behind the scheme stay steps ahead. The tension among the rival gangsters drives the narrative toward the final act.
When:1940 Where:Lonnegan's office
- 9
A calculated double-cross unfolds
As the plan unfolds, one gangster takes care of the other, resolving the threat through a decisive double-cross. The payoff is secured as a consequence of two major players acting against each other. The crew's patience and precision pay off in the shadows of the city.
When:1940 Where:City streets
- 10
The train station finale
Gondorff and Hooker head for the train station with a bag full of money and tickets out of town. The outward calm conceals the tension of what lies ahead as they prepare for the exit. The station becomes the stage where the finale will play out.
When:1940 Where:Train station
- 11
Veronica's final twist
Veronica delivers a final twist that reframes the con and its outcome. The revelation spices the ending and complicates who benefits from the scheme. The twist tests the loyalties and the cleverness of everyone involved.
When:1940 Where:Train station
- 12
Escape with the payoff
With the money secured, the crew prepares to vanish, leaving town with their ill-gotten gains. The plan's success rests on the last-minute twists and Veronica's misdirection. The story closes as they slip away to start anew.
When:1940 Where:City outskirts / departure route
Who Are the Main Characters in The Sting II?
6 characters, among them Fargo Gondorff (played by Jackie Gleason), Jake Hooker (Mac Davis) and Veronica (Countess Veronique) (Teri Garr): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Fargo Gondorff (played by Jackie Gleason)
Played by Jackie Gleason
A seasoned con artist who has built a reputation on flawless schemes and icy calm. He orchestrates the elaborate sting to avenge Kid Colors’ murder, rallying his old crew for one final, high-stakes caper. His cool demeanor masks a ruthless dedication to outsmarting his enemies.
- 🧠 Mastermind
- 💼 Mentor
- 🎭 Strategist
-
Jake Hooker (Mac Davis)
Played by Mac Davis
A young, ambitious con artist-in-training and Gondorff’s protégé. He pretends to be a boxer about to throw a fight, but his naivety gradually gives way to sharper instincts. He learns to navigate trust, deception, and the risks of chasing big scores.
- 🥊 Apprentice
- 🧠 Trickster
- 🎯 Gambler
-
Veronica (Countess Veronique) (Teri Garr)
Played by Teri Garr
A glamorous grifter who appears as a sophisticated countess but proves to be more than she seems. She outplays Hooker and manipulates the players to serve her own interests. Her duplicity is crucial to the final twist that changes the con’s outcome.
- 💼 Confidence
- 🎭 Deceiver
- 🕵️♀️ Opportunist
-
Lonnegan (Oliver Reed)
Played by Oliver Reed
A notorious banker-gangster who wants revenge for a prior sting. He embodies the ruthless, calculating antagonist who uses wealth and power to bend others to his will. The con aims to topple his schemes and expose his vulnerabilities.
- 💰 Power
- 🧩 Villain
- 🗡️ Manipulator
-
Gus Macalinski (Karl Malden)
Played by Karl Malden
A wealthy local racketeer who becomes a key target of the con. He’s drawn into the high-stakes deception, loses hundreds of thousands, and is manipulated by Lonnegan and Gondorff. His greed and pride make him a prime pawn in the scheme.
- 💼 Wealth
- 🧠 Target
- 💸 Gambler
-
Kid Colors (Bert Remsen)
Played by Bert Remsen
A longtime partner whose murder motivates Gondorff’s mission for vengeance. His memory drives the crew to pull off the ultimate con, making the stakes personal and emotional. His absence is felt as the plan unfolds.
- 🎭 Legacy
- 💔 Victim
- 🗡️ Vendetta
Where and When Is The Sting II Set?
The Sting II is set in United States (urban centers) (1940). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1940
The events take place at the dawn of the 1940s: the Depression has ended and World War II has begun, coloring the mood with wartime urgency. The era features big-city gambling rings and a gritty underworld where cons rely on luck and deception. It is a transitional period when old-school crime meets modern hustle.
Where
United States (urban centers)
The story unfolds across American urban settings in the early 1940s, with theaters, gambling dens, and train stations serving as backdrops for elaborate cons. The atmosphere blends post-Depression optimism with the rising tensions of World War II. The locales focus on places where con artists and racketeers operate, from glamorous venues to shadowy backrooms.
- 🏙️ 1940s city
- 💼 Crime underworld
What Are the Themes of The Sting II?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Mind Games and Greed & Revenge.
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01
Deception
Deception drives the plot as Gondorff and Hooker weave multiple lies to dupe Lonnegan and Macalinski. Every move relies on misdirection, disguises, and shifting loyalties. The narrative continually tests trust, revealing who can be trusted and who must be outsmarted.
-
02
Mind Games
The con hinges on psychological manipulation, with players predicting each other’s choices and countering them in real time. Strategic gambits, fake identities, and staged probabilities create a chess-match of wits. The suspense comes from watching which gambit will flip the balance.
-
03
Greed & Revenge
Money and revenge propel the plot as figures chase payoffs while seeking vengeance for Kid Colors’ death. The con raises the stakes as fortunes are won and lost in a single daring play. The narrative ties personal vendettas to larger criminal ambitions.
What Kind of Film Is The Sting II?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced and clever caper film that feels like a playful chess match between con artists, characterized by its convoluted plans and mischievous energy.
- convoluted
- playful
- clever
- rushed
- cunning
- mischievous
- grifter lifestyle
- revenge plot
- boxing scam
- gangster rivalry
Quiz
How well do you remember The Sting II? Test yourself on the story.
