Lockdown, The (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(BELL DINGING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

WARDEN: Hello.

My name is Warden Cetan.

And this is Hkantaut Prison.

(BIRDS CAWING)

Every inmate that

comes through this gate

is either serving

a life sentence

or awaits execution

on death row.

For the very first time,

please join us

inside the walls of Hkantaut

as champions fight

for a new chance at life.

(PRISON BUZZER RINGING)

(GUARD SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(PRISONERS MUMBLING)

MONK: (SINGING PRAYER)

(KEYS CLINKING)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

(GATE SHUTS)

(SINGING ENDS)

(DOOR SHUTS)

(CHAINS JINGLING)

(BREATHES SHAKILY)

EXECUTIONER: (IN THAI)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

MONK: (SINGING PRAYER)

(BUZZING)

MONK: (SINGING CONTINUES)

(SLOWED BREATHING)

(BUZZING)

(SINGING ENDS)

(CHAINS CLATTERING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(BELL DINGING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)

(HORNS BLARING,

SIRENS WAILING)

(DOG BARKING)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(BOTTLES CLANKING)

these are the same guys.

They're making the rounds.

Okay, see?

This is what I'm talking about.

There's no police presence

anywhere.

WOMAN: (SCREAMS) Hey, is that--

Give me--

Give me my meds!

THUG: No!

WOMAN: (SHRIEKS)

Give me my f*ck'... Hey!

Give me my f*ck' medicine!

How important is it?

(SOBS)

You're willing to

die for this sh*t?

WOMAN: Leave me alone!

What the hell are you doing?

Just call it in.

Charlie!

WOMAN: Stop!

Call it in, Wells.

sh*t!

Hey!

Get the hell away from her!

Hey, give her her medicine!

Get the hell out of here!

f*ck off, lady!

Look, I am a journalist.

I have footage of

this entire thing

and my partner

has already called the police.

Really?

Yeah.

So, I suggest you get out

of here before the cops arrive.

Mm.

So, what you gonna do about it?

OPERATOR:

9-1-1, what's your emergency?

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(GRUNTS)

sh*t!

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(BOTH GRUNT)

(BOTH GRUNT)

(GRUNTS)

(PANTS)

(GRUNTS)

(PANTS)

(GROANS)

(SCREAMS)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

Charlie, come on! Hey! Hey!

Whoa! It's me, it's me.

(PANTING)

You're done. It's done.

We've got to go.

We got to get out of here.

(POLICE SIREN WAILING

IN DISTANCE)

WELLS: Jesus!

(PHONE RINGING)

Separated mandible.

Shattered cheekbone.

I know it looks bad,

but I was protecting this woman

from imminent danger,

and then they attacked me.

You inserted yourself

into imminent danger.

Wells told you what happened.

What was I supposed to do?

Just sit there and watch

this woman get stabbed?

Wait for law enforcement

to show up,

like you've been trained to do.

The minute you get all kung fu,

the story becomes about you

and not the bad guy.

I have to suspend you.

Two weeks, unpaid leave.

It's out of my hands.

Wait, what? Now I'm going to get

fired for protecting this woman?

No, I didn't say that.

Corporate is trying to

get ahead of it.

They are concerned

about a lawsuit.

Well, corporate

should be more concerned

with releasing a story

that is gonna save lives.

They're having me

pull you off the story too.

You cannot be serious.

Liz, come on, I've been

working on this for weeks.

Our insurance carrier requires

an internal investigation.

Liz... (SIGHS) Oh, my God.

What do you want me to say?

Call it a vacation,

if that helps.

This is bullshit.

I did the right thing,

and you know it.

I know your heart

is in the right place,

but I am telling you,

your inability to

control your anger

is starting to have

real consequences.

This is not the first time

we've had this conversation.

(EXHALES)

(DOOR SHUTS)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

(LAUGHS)

(BOTH GRUNT)

Your conditioning sucks.

Yeah, f*ck you too.

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

You left the door wide open.

Yeah, well, I had a rough night.

(GROANS, LAUGHS)

Still...

your takedown defense

is an embarrassment.

Well, that's why

I'm a journalist.

Thought you were

a crusader for the homeless.

You're such a d*ck.

So, how long are you

suspended for?

Do you want to talk about it?

What do you think, Jack?

Okay.

Did you hear back

from that company yet?

Venum? Yeah, last week.

And?

They're interested in doing

something with the gym

as long as I keep

winning fights.

Hey. That's f*cking--

that's great!

Yeah. Yeah, it's something.

Hey, you got a minute?

I got all the time in the world.

Come on,

I wanna show you something.

It's the deed to the building.

Yeah. It needs to be transferred

into one of our names

in order to settle Mom's estate.

Okay.

JACK: There's a problem.

His name's on it.

Of course it is.

The lawyers say that

we can't transfer title

without his signature.

So... let's just have him

declared legally dead.

Dad's not dead.

Well, he might as well be.

Look, I know

this is a sore subject...

No, it's not

a sore subject, Jack.

It just...

It's a pointless conversation.

And I don't want to deal

with this right now.

Charlie! Hey! Seriously?

Maybe it's time

we give this place up.

My first memories are of

Dad training fighters here.

We practically

grew up in this gym,

Charlie, this place

means a lot to me.

Well, I wish I could say

I shared the same fond memories.

JACK: Charlie...

What, Jack? What is your plan?

You want to just

swing by the prison

and ask him to sign it?

It's already cleared.

(SIGHS) And if he doesn't?

Max doesn't care

about you or me, or anyone.

People do change, Charlie.

He-- He's been in there,

like, 20 years.

You're too young

to remember what he was like.

And you've built him up to be

this great guy, and he's not.

Like, he's the guy

who gets caught with drugs

in a foreign country

and abandons his family.

People like that,

they don't change, Jack.

Narcissists never change.

I mean, just...

look what it did to Mom.

I gotta do it.

If you give him any chance

to screw us, he will.

You give him way too much power.

He's in prison.

(SIGHS)

(HESITATES) Okay, if he says no,

you know what we do?

We turn around,

and we come home.

What if I told you

that I already

bought you a plane ticket?

I would tell you

that was stupid.

Did you?

We leave in two days.

Jack!

What else are you gonna do?

You don't have a job!

Charlie, come on. Please.

I don't want to do this alone.

Fine. I'll go. Okay.

Okay?

Okay, all right.

CHARLIE: Okay, okay.

It's a bad idea.

You're welcome.

Bolo gets one of these

every night,

so make sure you

rotate the flavors.

You really think

it's a good idea

to be leaving in the middle

of an investigation? (CHUCKLES)

Cans go in recycling.

CHARLIE: (SIGHS, MUMBLES)

"Shrimp and lobster"?

So, this prison

is in Thailand?

No, Hkantaut Prison

is actually in Myanmar,

but Jack has us

flying into Bangkok.

WELLS: When are you coming back?

Well, Jack is in charge

of the itinerary, so...

WELLS: That must be

driving you crazy.

CHARLIE: Ooh.

It'll probably be a week.

So, in theory, I could be

cat sitting Bolo for months.

Hey, I want you

to send me those files.

Not gonna happen.

Why?

WELLS: Do you even

want to keep your job?

Come on, Wells,

we've been working

on the story for weeks.

I just want to see it

through to the end with you.

You're not playing

the game, Charlie.

If you want to get things done,

you gotta play by their rules.

Optics matter.

Please don't lecture me

on optics, all right?

Just send me the files.

Okay, what else? Oh!

I need to FaceTime

with Bolo each morning,

which is nighttime here.

It's a cat, for Christ's sake.

And this cat gets very sad

if we don't talk,

so promise me, Wells.

I promise, I promise.

CHARLIE: Thank you.

What's the name

of the hotel again?

It is the Riva Arun

on the river.

Maybe text that to me?

Okay, Dad.

(BOLO MEOWS)

Oh, it's just my little Bolo!

(GASPS) You are so handsome.

All right, you be good

for Wells, okay?

I'll miss you.

Okay, FaceTime.

Every night.

Yeah, I got it.

Oh, stay out of my fridge.

(SPEAKS THAI)

JACK: Hey, I'm really happy

you're here, sis.

Well, someone's gotta

look after you.

Don't point that thing at me.

JACK: Why?

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

I'm serious, stop.

Cut it out.

What? You afraid

it'll steal your soul?

CHARLIE: No.

That as*h*le James at KTD

ran our entire story

on the thug incident.

You have any idea what it's like

to be turned into a gif? Hm?

Well, it's good

you're here then.

Let's not pretend

like this is for my benefit.

Come on, when's the last time

you took a vacation?

Look at this place.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Did you know that

the city is actually

sinking two centimeters

every year?

Well, we better enjoy it then.

I'm working on it.

Good.

Here, want some?

Yeah.

So, how long did you say

the drive was?

A few hours.

A few?

Three.

To the border.

Oy.

Well, I guess we should go

get the shitty part over with.

Shall we?

Let's do it.

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

Thank you.

(GROANS)

You're gonna thank me

when this is over.

Okay, Jack.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)

(SIGHS)

JACK: Thank you.

It's like the entrance

to your apartment.

I didn't get into journalism

for the money.

I know.

You did it to beat up bums.

Too soon?

Are you sure

you want to do this?

Demons get stronger

the more you ignore them, sis.

(SIGHS)

JACK: Thank you.

(BUZZER RINGS)

(BUZZER RINGS)

(DOOR SHUTS)

I'm just gonna

wait for you outside.

JACK: Charlie, please.

I really don't want to

talk to him, Jack.

JACK: Okay.

Just... Can you stay

with me, then? Please?

Yeah?

Yeah.

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

Hey, Dad.

Been a while, Jack.

I don't know exactly

what to say or...

where to start.

How's my gym?

Your gym?

Your mother sell it?

JACK: No, she didn't sell it.

Well, that's a...

that's a surprise.

Actually, she's passed away.

Sorry.

Yeah. Well...

two packs of cigarettes,

a bottle of wine.

Every day for 30 years.

I'm not surprised.

f*ck' as*h*le.

Charlie. Hold on a minute.

I'm not gonna sit here

and listen to his bullshit.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

JACK: Char...

(BUZZER RINGS)

(DOOR SHUTS)

I have been waiting

a long time...

for you to visit.

I got this picture.

It's a little faded.

I think you were eight.

And... I think she was 13.

What's with the briefcase?

Actually, I've been

running the gym.

Training fighters and...

I've been trying to turn

the place around for...

one or two years now.

That's good.

JACK: Anyway...

We need your signature

on the deed

in order to transfer title

to one of our names.

It could be Charlie or me.

It doesn't really matter.

Really?

Yeah.

This is the deed here.

That's why you're here?

That's my gym, Jack.

That's my gym, Jack!

You're gonna

earn your victories,

just like in the ring!

I'm not just gonna

give that to you!

Tell your sister goodbye,

or hello, or whatever.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR SHUTS, LOCK CLICKS)

(SIGHS)

Jack.

Hey. You okay?

His gym.

What a f*cking waste of time...

Hey. Come here.

...and a life and...

CHARLIE: I'm sorry.

(SIGHS)

I'm sorry.

But you know what?

I'm proud of you.

(SIGHS)

It took a lot for you

to come here and face him.

I mean, look at me, I just ran.

And you know what, f*ck him.

Seriously, what has he

ever done for us?

Nothing.

And we always

figure it out, don't we?

Now, let's get back to Bangkok.

We have a whole city

we're going to explore.

Go see some fights,

have some pad thai.

Find you a girlfriend.

Let's go.

Not going to let him

ruin anything else.

(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUFFLED CHEERING)

(MUSIC SWELLS)

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

WOMAN: (GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)

(DINGS)

The water, come on!

Let's see some aggression,

all right?

When you get her in the clinch,

knee her up.

That's what she's doing to you.

You do it to her.

Knee her up.

Exhale on

every strike, okay?

MAX: You take care

of her this round.

This round!

All right? Set her up

for the spinning kick!

(BELL DINGING)

Go! Go get her!

(CROWD CHEERING)

REFEREE: Fight!

(GRUNTS)

Set it up!

(CROWD CHEERING)

Yep! Good!

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Sure, the high-speed stuff

is gonna be insane.

Hello, fight fans,

and welcome to death row.

There's only two ways

to leave Hkantaut.

First is in the box.

The second is

by victory in the ring.

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

The only way to leave alive

is as a champion.

(SCREAMS)

Watch it live on

the Fighting for Freedom app.

Fighting for Freedom,

where the champions go free.

KUKRIT:

It's the perfect setup.

Freedom from captivity.

Violence rewarded

regardless of the crime.

What's all this?

Who are these guys?

Max, meet my nephews.

They both just earned

graduate degrees in marketing

in America.

I'm Kukrit.

I create the content.

Satra here does our analytics

and social media.

You must be very proud.

We're taking the summer

away from Bangkok

to help Uncle monetize

the fight promotion.

"Monetize."

Well, that's a big word.

Max, let him explain.

Well, you see,

in the age of devices,

everyone now watches TV

on their phones.

KUKRIT: When live sports are

marketed as a must-see event,

fans pay to watch, right?

Look at the UFC. They proved it.

My nephews have assured me

that this will pave the way

for an early retirement.

SATRA:

We use all the platforms,

TikTok, Instagram,

Facebook, Twitter.

We're selling

heroes and villains,

so we either want the fans

to love or hate the fighters.

So far, they don't think

our challenges are good enough.

KUKRIT: They gotta

be better, a lot better.

Something with a... backstory.

Okay. Well, sounds like

you got it all figured out.

We're not done.

We know nothing

about matchmaking.

But Uncle here tells us

that you're the best.

WARDEN: I want to

make you an offer.

If you can deliver

what my nephews need,

I'll grant your release.

My release?

Barring the platform

is successful, of course.

You need fighters?

Villains.

Foreigners, ideally.

Huh?

Well, that's going

to be a problem

because, uh, we don't have

any of those here.

I trust you're gonna

figure it out.

Show me the girl again.

ARANYA: Hello, my friends,

and welcome to death row.

There's only two ways

to leave Hkantaut.

First is in the box...

(UPBEAT CLUB MUSIC PLAYING)

JACK: Here's to that.

CHARLIE: Salud!

Clearly, a thinly sliced--

I swear to God.

(LAUGHS)

Good. Good. Good. Good.

(LAUGHS)

CHARLIE: Have a good night.

Thank you.

(SEAGULLS SQUAWKING)

(HORN BLARING)

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hey there, Mr. Bolo.

How is my little monster?

Well, I know you're not

talking about me.

I'm going to need

the number to HR.

WELLS: (LAUGHING)

Hey, Wells, check out this view.

BARTENDER: And here are your

Bloody Marys, sir.

Ah. Thank you, sir.

WELLS: Looks like we got

the short end of the stick.

You did.

So, when are you coming home?

Friday.

WELLS: You just got there.

And I'm anxious to get back

'cause you never sent me

the files.

WELLS: Maybe you should stay

a little longer.

Funny.

(GROANS) I feel like

utter dog sh*t.

Say hello to Wells.

Hello, Wells.

WELLS: (CHUCKLES) Hey!

This guy.

Hey, Wells,

just give me server access.

Not gonna happen, Charlie.

Come on.

Say bye, Bolo.

Wait, Wells, don't--

(BEEPS)

Damn it. as*h*le.

Cheers.

Mm.

Mr. Hightower,

a call for you.

Well, go see who it is.

(GROANS)

(EXHALES)

You ready?

His only condition

was that you talk to him.

I'm here, aren't I?

We're here to see Max Hightower.

Please, place your bags

on the table

and complete forms.

JACK: Copy.

GUARD: Yaba! Yaba!

Face the wall!

Hands up over your head!

What's going on here?

Hey! Hey, hey, hey!

You bring yaba into prison.

Yaba? What is yaba?

Meth! You bring meth.

No, no, nobody's--

Charlie, be cool, be cool!

Hang on a second.

(GRUNTS)

(ALARM BLARING)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(GROANS)

(CLAMORING)

CHARLIE: Jack!

(GROANS)

(SCREAMS)

Stop! Stop! Stop!

We're going to cooperate,

all right?

Just wait!

We're cooperating.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

We're cooperating.

Run.

(BOTH GROANING)

(TASER BUZZING)

(ALARM FADES OUT)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

(DOOR OPENING)

We need to talk.

(GROANS LIGHTLY)

(KEYS CLINKING, DOOR OPENING)

GUARD: Come!

(PRISONERS SHOUTING

INDISTINCTLY)

(PRISONERS CLAMORING)

Please don't leave.

Please, can you help me?

Do you speak English?

GUARD: (YELLS IN THAI)

seen my brother Jack?

Have you seen Jack, please?

GUARD: (YELLS IN THAI)

Can I--

I need to speak with

someone at the embassy.

Please, English.

Do you speak English?

JACK: Charlie, Charlie!

CHARLIE: Jack! Jack!

Oh, my God, Jack!

(CRYING) Are you okay?

JACK: Yeah, are you okay?

CHARLIE: Yeah. I'm all right.

JACK: What is going on?

CHARLIE: I don't know.

Jack.

CHARLIE: Hey.

JACK: You okay? You all right?

This is not what I meant.

Got exactly what you asked for.

Foreigners. Trained to fight.

Who are they?

His own children.

Jesus Christ.

How'd you pull this off so fast?

Sometimes you've got to think

outside of the box.

This carries a considerable

degree of risk, Max.

They're perfect.

They really are perfect.

WARDEN: You sure?

BOTH: Yeah.

WARDEN: We have

a limited amount of time

before someone comes looking.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING

IN DISTANCE)

(FLIES BUZZING)

WARDEN: (EXHALES)

Max, you m*therf*cker.

"Wagyu and lamb"?

(BOLO MEOWS)

(MEOWING)

(SHUTTER CLICKS)

Maana, Bolo.

(CHAINS CLANKING)

Okay.

There are police

and there are real courts

in this country.

Wells knows we're here, huh?

Right? Right?

We'll get...

Jack.

We'll get a lawyer.

We'll get the U.S. Embassy.

Jack, he screwed us.

He f*ck' screwed us.

You think Max had something

to do with this?

I know he did.

How? He's an inmate.

Jack, think about it.

Why did he change his mind?

What are you--

What are you saying?

The gym, Jack,

why did he reconsider?

You think he just had

this change of heart

all of a sudden?

No, Charlie.

(DOOR OPENING)

Go.

Stop.

Jack and Charlene Hightower.

My name is Warden Cetan.

You-- You speak English.

Thank God.

Look, we have not been

given access

to counsel or a phone call.

That's what happens

when you as*ault my guards.

Okay, this has all been

a misunderstanding.

We came here to visit our dad.

WARDEN: You are being held

for intent to

distribute ill*gal drugs.

No. No. No.

Look, it is our legal right

to be given access

to an attorney.

Charlie! Charlie!

(GROANS)

All right, okay!

(COUGHS)

All right, breathe through it.

Breathe, breathe. You all right?

Everything here is

under my discretion.

Including a right to counsel.

What are you talking about?

WARDEN: It means

I can keep you

both here indefinitely.

JACK:

This is f*cking insane, man.

You think we're drug smugglers?

CHARLIE: What you're doing here

is against international law.

JACK: Yes.

You have two options.

Fight for your freedom

or rot in this cell.

Today, you'll both be introduced

to the general population.

GUARD: Up!

What?

GUARD: (SPEAKS IN THAI)

Go!

CHARLIE: Jack! Jack!

Hey, help.

My name is Jack Hightower.

My sister Charlie and I

have been falsely accused

of drug smuggling.

(GROANS)

Up. Up!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(CHATTER CONTINUES)

SIMON: American.

Simon.

Jack.

You British?

Essex.

Dallas, Texas.

I haven't met many Yanks

since I've been in here.

How long has that been?

Long enough.

What's it like?

Total f*cking sh*t.

But it can be better

if you know how to

work the system.

What do you mean by that?

The only reason

I'm not starving to death

is I work for the fight team.

Look.

There must be

an execution today.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

What's their deal?

They don't like farang.

Farang?

Foreigner.

Careful, mate,

they can smell fear.

(SPEAKS IN THAI)

give them a pack of cigarettes

every day

or they'll f*ck you up.

Tell them I don't smoke.

Yeah?

He don't smoke. No smoke.

No smoke?

(ALL CLAMORING)

(GRUNTS)

(YELLS IN THAI)

(PRISONERS CHEERING)

(GRUNTS)

(ALL CLAMORING)

(GRUNTS)

learn to fight like that, huh?

(SPEAKS IN THAI)

new here.

Yeah. How does this work?

You got cigarettes?

I'll spot you.

(SPEAKS THAI)

So, everyone here

has to buy food?

Well, they give you two bowls

of rotten rice every day,

and if you don't

want to eat that,

you have to buy your own.

The only exception is

if you're on the fight team.

You don't seem

much like a criminal.

I crossed the border

after a full moon party

and got popped

with seven hits of ecstasy

and a life sentence.

Can't your family do anything?

They tried.

Did they at least

let you talk to a lawyer?

A lousy public defender

that didn't do much.

How about you?

It's a long story.

Hey, will you tell me more

about the fight team?

They get better food?

Better everything.

And who's that old white guy

that I saw training them?

That's Max, a total as*h*le.

He runs the fight teams.

Rumor has it

he introduced the pardon thing.

So the pardons are real?

Sure, but they're rare.

And he's an inmate?

As much as any of us, I guess.

He's close with the warden.

He lives in his own

private part of the prison.

Everyone comes here

before lockup.

When's that?

3:30 in the afternoon

to 6:30 in the morning.

That's... Jesus, 15 hours?

Hey!

What the hell?

(IN THAI)

You need to apologize.

For what?

(IN THAI)

(SPEAKING THAI)

(GRUNTS)

(PRISONERS CLAMORING)

(GRUNTS)

(GUARDS SHOUTING)

(CLAMORING STOPS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(RAIN PATTERING)

Do you think she's good enough?

What, to fight Jeeja?

Yeah, who else?

Jeeja is a coldblooded k*ller.

KUKRIT: I'm not worried

about the matchup.

For this to really work,

we need our fans to care

about who we want them to.

You know,

like Women of Wrestling.

Your favorite show, no?

It's not my favorite show.

KUKRIT: No, you love that sh*t.

I know you do.

Just get on with the gig.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

There was an execution today.

(CELL DOOR OPENING)

(DOOR SHUTS)

Warden wanted me to talk to you.

You can tell the warden

the only thing we want

is to speak with a lawyer.

I don't think you get it.

You're in a death factory.

Unless you figure out

how to survive...

you won't.

It's rare foreigners

are given a chance to fight.

I suggest you take it.

(CELL DOOR OPENS)

(CELL DOOR SHUTS)

Oh, f*ck!

(SIGHS)

You were right.

Jack... (SNIFFS)

JACK: No.

You were right.

This is all my fault.

CHARLIE: This is not your fault.

Okay? You hear me?

It's not your fault.

Don't go spiraling on me

right now, okay?

I need you,

I need you here with me, okay?

(SNIFFS)

CHARLIE: Jack?

(SIGHS) Yeah.

I'm here. I'm here.

CHARLIE: We need to buy

ourselves some time.

Now, the fight team, they...

they get better food.

They get better treatment.

JACK: Right.

But why is it so important

to them that we fight?

I don't know.

But it gives us

a degree of leverage.

Yeah. Leverage.

You think every new inmate,

that they get this

kind of attention?

They need us for something.

I don't know what, but they do.

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)

Hello, fight fans.

They're here for one reason.

And one reason only.

Reigning prison champions

calling you on

their path to freedom.

(IN THAI)

(GRUNTS)

(CROWD CLAMORING)

(IN THAI)

(BELL DINGING)

Champions behind bars

fighting for redemption.

(CROWD CHEERING)

ARANYA: Who will face

the deadly duo next?

Only on

the Fighting for Freedom app,

where the champions go free.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SPEAKS IN THAI)

might be training with us.

Who the f*ck are you?

And who told you that? Max?

Simon, meet my sister Charlie.

Lovely to meet you as well.

Uh...

I'm supposed to

get you some food.

Don't take it personal.

What was that about?

We've met.

Here you are.

Enjoy.

There he is.

So nice of you to join us.

Are you even an inmate?

Yeah. With privileges.

You're just

such a piece of sh*t.

You sound just like your mother.

Listen...

the important thing

is that I can

get you out of here.

Yeah, let's cut the bullshit.

You wouldn't help anyone

unless it was good for you.

We have conditions.

Well, I'm listening.

CHARLIE: We want our own

shared cell,

with new sleeping mats

and new bedding.

From now on,

we eat with the fight team,

we share the same privileges.

And we each get two cartons

of cigarettes every week.

I can do that.

Training starts right now.

PRISONER: (SPEAKING THAI)

(SPEAKS THAI)

four cartons!

Four!

JACK: ...we're drug smugglers.

You think...

Here you go.

Thanks.

Ooh! What is this?

Uncle's cheap-a*s whiskey?

Yes, good sh*t.

KUKRIT: Mm.

All right, so I was thinking

we block North America,

keep the rollout to Asia.

Smart.

I'm targeting ads utilizing

Japanese and South Korean data

and filtering

with the martial arts fans

who identify as

"more than casual."

KUKRIT: Nice.

We need to introduce

our villains now.

Let us see how

Americans can fight.

GUARD: Up!

CHANCHAI: Pay attention.

Work harder.

Be smarter in the ring.

Fight for the honor

of your nation.

Fight as Nai Khanom Tom

did many centuries ago.

You're late.

This is when the guards

let us out.

Yeah, well, I'll talk

to somebody about that.

Right now we're running!

You two lead!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(IN THAI)

Fair enough.

And what do you suppose

we do when we're done?

If they become champions...

they get pardons.

If not...

they keep fighting

until they do.

If they lose, they're done.

(PRISONERS CHEERING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

You got a second?

LIZ: Uh, what's up?

Is... is that Charlie's cat?

(BOLO MEOWING)

Check your inbox.

What's this?

It's the footage we shot.

And she's right.

There is a story here.

Let me guess,

Charlie put you up to this?

Actually, she has no idea.

She's in Thailand

with her brother.

Charlie's in Thailand?

She didn't tell you that,

either, huh?

No.

WELLS: No?

Well, I was hoping

you'd heard something from her.

She was supposed to be back

this past Friday.

Uh, seeing as this is the first

I'm hearing of this,

I don't know what to say.

Do... Do you know

where they were staying?

The Ruva Sala or something.

It's by the river.

Maybe you should

look into that, Wells.

And get that cat out of here.

(BOLO MEOWING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

You said we would be

up and running by now.

KUKRIT: We're moving

as fast as we can.

We promise it will be

worth the wait.

The appetite for this is huge.

You wanted to see me?

Come in.

Show Max what you showed me.

Just press that "play" button.

ARANYA: Jack, American

and all-around bad boy,

moving from prison fight

to his first battle in the ring.

We're ready for the first fight.

ARANYA: The moment we've all

been waiting for...

We need videos of them fighting

to build the audience up.

You know, get them invested.

They need more time.

I thought they were

trained fighters, Max.

All right. You're the boss.

(DOOR OPENS)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

They used to do it

with machine g*ns.

They'd force the prisoners

to turn their backs

so that the spirits

wouldn't see the guards

when their souls left the body.

Jesus.

What do they do now?

Lethal injection.

Executioner wears a hood.

Where do they go?

They leave the bodies outside,

and if a family member shows up,

they can claim it.

And if they don't?

SIMON: They're cremated.

Monk puts the ashes

in little urns,

puts them inside of

a plastic shopping bag

that he carries around

with him sometimes.

Gives me nightmares.

Ten more laps.

MAX: Go get me some water.

Your first fight's

here tomorrow.

You're fighting Lek.

You're fighting Netra.

Per her request.

If you win...

you're that much closer

fighting for the championship.

And if we lose?

Losing is never an option...

Jack.

Ew. Nasty.

(LINE BEEPS)

AUTOMATED VOICE:

We're sorry, your call--

(MEOWS)

(LINE BEEPS)

WOMAN: (SPEAKING THAI)

Is there any chance

you could put me in touch

with your manager?

WOMAN: Please hold.

MANAGER: (GREETING IN THAI)

My name's Cameron Wells.

I have a colleague

who is a guest at your hotel.

Her name's Charlie Hightower.

She's staying with her brother.

MANAGER: Yeah, I'm afraid

they never checked out,

but we are holding their bags

at the front desk.

When was the last time

you saw them?

Lek, an eager contender

trying to move up the ranks

in the prison fight team.

Winning is his only thought.

LEK: (IN THAI)

(BELL DINGING)

His opponent, Jack.

An American

and all-around bad boy,

moving from prison fight

to his first battle

in the ring.

We're drug smugglers.

The moment we've all

been waiting for.

Degenerate American drug dealers

fight live tonight,

only on

the Fighting for Freedom app.

(DINGS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(HOOTING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(CHEERING)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GROANS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GROANS)

(BELL DINGING)

(CLAMORING)

Bang!

Our social's gonna eat this up.

Woohoo!

He's dropping his lead.

So come over the top

with a right-hander or kick.

(GASPS) Okay.

How do you feel?

Good.

Good.

You got this.

Right.

All right.

Over the top.

(GRUNTS)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD BOOING)

Get him some water!

(ALL BOOING)

How about that?

That was f*cking badass.

Incredible.

Your boy can take a shot.

Will he be good enough

to fight Lam?

Given time.

What about the girl,

you think she can go

three rounds?

Given time.

She has to be competitive

in order for this thing to work.

Oh, she'll be competitive.

KUKRIT: All right,

so I got this angle here, okay?

This will slow it down

and then cut to the second angle

where it's wider.

SATRA: Right.

KUKRIT: This one, look at this.

SATRA: So just a clean cut,

or is there a transition...

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

(GASPS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

I can't do this.

Wait. You okay?

Breathe, focus.

You're gonna be fine, okay?

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

CHANCHAI: Come on.

Breathe.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Focus. Use your jab.

Keep yourself at distance.

Okay? Good luck.

(EXHALES)

(CROWD CLAMORING)

(TRADITIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)

REFREE: Come on!

Fight!

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Use your body, Charlie.

React. Breathe.

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(GRUNTS)

Hi-yah!

(GRUNTS)

One, two, three.

(BOTH GRUNT)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(CROWD BOOING)

(BOOING CONTINUES)

Holy sh*t, we just made it

to the next level.

When can this be cut by?

Give me 24 hours.

Yeah?

We f*cking did it!

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)

(CELL DOOR SHUTS)

Hey.

Sit down.

(CRIES SOFTLY)

It's okay.

It's okay, Charlie.

It's okay.

(SOBS)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

JACK: Charlie.

You got beat up, didn't you?

Yeah.

I'm fine, fine.

All right.

Fine.

You okay?

Yeah.

JACK: Yeah?

Yeah.

Hey. Look at me.

We made it, though. Right?

Good.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(SIGHS)

We'll make it through, Char.

We always do.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(RAIN PATTERING)

(ETHEREAL MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC FADES)

You feeling all right, then?

Max wants to see you.

Come on.

Sit down.

Jack, your Muay Thai is good.

It's... very good.

And, Charlie...

for someone who's not trained

as a professional fighter...

you surprised me.

In a good way.

So what, you...

you think we got a chance?

Maybe.

Listen.

I know every fighter in here.

I know their strengths,

and I know their weaknesses.

So, if you two would

just trust me...

just trust me...

I can get you out of here.

What do you say?

Charlie?

I don't need anything from you.

Let's go. Kick. Wow.

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Two!

Kick!

MAN: Hey!

Knee.

Two! Yes, yes!

CHANCHAI: Good, Charlie, good.

Breathe, breathe.

Own the inside,

own the inside, own the inside!

That-a-boy. Yeah.

Get away. There you go.

All right. Keep your distance.

Relax. Nice, nice.

Weakness to let emotion

cloud your mind. Come on.

Strength is knowing

your opponent.

One-two. (GRUNTS) Back. Ooh!

(GRUNTS) Kick!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

Who's getting excited?

Next up is

our championship round.

Will the evil American

survive another bout,

or will Lam and Jeeja

finally earn their freedom?

(BELL DINGING)

Give me freedom!

Don't miss the action

live on death row,

only on

the Fighting for Freedom app.

(MUSIC SWELLS, FADES)

(RAIN PATTERING)

(HORN BLARING)

(THUNDER CLAPS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(DINGS)

(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)

How can I help you, sir?

I'm Cameron Wells.

I have a reservation.

Welcome to Riva Arun, Mr. Wells.

I have you here

for seven nights.

KUKRIT: It's hard to overhype

the power

of mobile push

notification technology.

SATRA: We've triggered

a significant campaign

highly targeted to

a demographic with

a known discretionary income.

Each one is invited

to join our

exclusive Fighting

for Freedom community,

which then lets them

watch our premiere event

this week for free.

This week?

If we wait any longer,

the risk of them being here

will outweigh the reward.

How come I'm getting

this information now?

Just get us

two good championship fights.

We need to pay off the buildup.

It will be a good test

of our model.

CHANCHAI: Come on, Charlie.

Nice. Nice. Control.

Again. That's it, good.

Yes. The more you're in control,

the better your technique is.

Okay? Get some water.

MAX: Chanchai!

It's going to be impossible

for you to avoid the clinch,

so you need to learn

the art of disengagement.

Otherwise this fight's

going to be over.

(GRUNTS)

MAX: Pull him down.

Never seen the prick

act like that before.

Normally he just stands around

with his arms crossed

and barks at his fighters.

MAX: Dump the clinch!

(LAUGHS)

Lookin' good.

CHARLIE: Well,

Jack was supposed

to be his legacy.

MAX: Good. Hurt him, hurt him.

PRISONER: Uma! Uma!

Good, Jack!

WELLS: Thank you.

(BOLO MEOWS)

No walk-up.

I just have a question.

I'm looking for

these two people.

Their father's an inmate here.

GUARD: Who?

Max Hightower.

This is Charlie

and Jack Hightower.

His children.

I don't know.

WELLS: Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Does someone have

access to the footage

from the cameras outside?

Maybe I can take a look.

Visitors need appointment.

You are not the police.

Okay, so how do I make

an appointment?

Here.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Do you work here?

I'm looking for my friends.

These two.

Charlie and Jack Hightower.

They came here to

visit their father.

I understand they were

brought in for a drug charge.

Drugs? Jack won't even

take aspirin.

MONK: Is there anything else?

What... What exactly

do you do at the prison?

I look after the bodies

of the ex*cuted

and guide them on their journey.

That's kind of dark.

In this situation,

the condemned man

knows his destiny

and can clear his conscience.

(BUZZER RINGS)

(DOG BARKING)

GUARD: Sir, one of

the Americans' friends

came looking for them.

WARDEN: When?

GUARD: Earlier today.

WARDEN: Cancel any

and all visitations

until further notice.

Get me the tape.

Okay, sir.

Hey, Jack.

Hey, Char.

You know I love you, right?

Good.

JACK: I love you too, sis.

I have reason to believe

they're being held

against their will.

That's a serious accusation.

(BOLO MEOWS)

Well,

what happens if someone

is caught committing a crime

while visiting the prison?

Are you a lawyer?

Just a friend.

WARDEN: We've taken this

as far as it can go.

We need to cancel the fight

and get rid of them.

We have a deal.

WARDEN: The minute you let them

come into my prison,

they became

my problem to handle.

The risk is the same,

whether they fight or not.

Send them in.

Is, uh... Is everything okay?

How much?

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

176,293 subscribers.

Holy sh*t.

That's a little over

350,000 U.S.

And we're going to get

a lot more sign-ups day of.

Wait outside.

(DOOR SHUTS)

That's a lot of money.

You can retire very nicely

with that kind of money.

I think you want out of here

worse than I do.

Let 'em fight.

Let 'em fight.

Let them f*cking fight.

(CROWD CHEERING IN DISTANCE)

(SPEAKS THAI)

during the walkout,

you're going to get

some audience shots.

Camera two,

you'll go wide and cover.

Camera three and four,

you're good.

Okay. We go live in ten.

The lightened ring

makes a huge difference.

Thank you.

This could've been

so much bigger

if they let us play it out.

We're good.

We have a strong

proof of concept

that we can build from.

Build from?

We're tearing it all apart.

Hey, it worked.

That's all that matters.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(MUSIC TURNS UPBEAT)

(CROWD CHEERING, HOOTING)

(CROWD BOOING)

(BELL DINGING)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS, GROANS)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Aah!

(BELL DINGING)

Move!

(PANTING)

(GASPS, PANTS)

You're doing

everything right, Charlie.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(BELL DINGING)

Congratulations, Max.

Tomorrow you'll be a free man,

with a fresh start.

It's a shame your children

won't be joining you.

What?

Only champions

ever leave this place alive.

You know that.

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING, WHISTLING)

(GRUNTS)

(EXCLAIMS)

Yah!

(GROANS)

Hi-yah!

(CROWD CHEERING)

(BELL DINGING)

Let them fight.

Charlie, look out!

(MUSIC SLOWS DOWN,

CHEERING BECOMES MUFFLED)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Round's over!

Call her out!

Charlie! Charlie!

Charlie, no! No!

The round was over!

JACK: Charlie!

No! No!

No! No! Charlie!

No! Charlie!

(CROWD CHEERING)

This is not some

conspiracy theory, Liz.

I cannot put this on the air

until you can corroborate

what the monk told you.

What about TikTok and YouTube?

What about them?

If I could create

enough public awareness

of what's really going on,

the authorities

will move on this.

Well, it can't hurt.

If you can just

get me something,

I will get you on air.

(LINE BEEPS)

ARANYA: ...take on

American brother and sister,

the bad boy combo,

Jack and Charlie.

Live tonight, only.

Excuse me. What was that?

It's the stupid adverts.

Can you let me see it again?

Sure.

Next up is

our championship round.

Prison champion

Lamsongkram Saenchai

and Jeeja Aromdee

take on

American brother and sister,

bad boy combo,

Jack and Charlie,

live tonight, only.

Thanks.

Holy sh*t.

JACK: (SIGHS)

(DOOR OPENS, SHUTS)

MAX: (CLEARS THROAT)

You know...

I've spent my whole life

trying to live up to your...

legacy.

And everything

Mom ever said about you is true.

You're right, Max.

You have to earn your victories.

I should have never

given you a second chance.

(MUFFLED CHEERING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(WHISTLING, CHEERING)

(BELL DINGS)

(GRUNTS)

(BOTH GRUNT)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GROANS)

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

MAX: Stay out of the clinch!

He's k*lling you in there!

You hear me?

(PERCUSSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)

(BELL DINGING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(MUSIC BECOMES MUFFLED)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(CELL DOOR OPENS)

(JACK GRUNTS)

CHARLIE: Jack? Jack!

(GROANS, THUDS)

Let me. Jack! Hey, hey!

Stay with me, all right?

All right.

I'm right here.

I'm right here, Jack.

I'm right here.

Hey. Hey, Jack? Jack...

WELLS: Okay. Yeah.

Hold this for me.

Hold onto that for me.

Yes.

Thank you.

Ready.

I'm Cameron Wells,

and I'm standing outside

Hkantaut Prison in Myanmar,

just across the border

from Thailand.

I came here to look

for my colleague

Charlie Hightower

and her brother Jack.

They arrived a few weeks ago

to visit their estranged father,

who's serving

a life sentence here.

But they haven't been

heard from since.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

Wake up.

JACK: Hey, hey, hey. What? Hey!

What's going on? Charlie!

Jack!

Charlie! No, no, Charlie!

Jack! Jack!

Jack and Charlie Hightower are

being illegally detained here,

forced to participate

in a fight promotion

run by the prison.

(CLAMORING)

JACK: Help!

No! No!

No, don't!

Jack!

Please! Please!

JACK: Please help!

CHARLIE: We've done-- Jack!

JACK: No! No!

CHARLIE: Jack!

I tell you this with the hopes

that you'll join me

in urging the authorities

to assist in their immediate

and unconditional release.

CHARLIE: (PANTING)

MONK: (SINGING PRAYER)

(SINGING STOPS)

(CHAINS CLATTERING)

(GRUNTS)

(BELL TOLLING)

SATRA: Uncle's gonna be

pissed if we're not out of here.

KUKRIT: So we just go, man.

Where the f*ck is Nuke, man?

SATRA: He's late, man.

KUKRIT: f*ck' as*h*le

should f*cking be here.

(SIRENS WAILING)

(SIRENS WAILING

IN DISTANCE)

(SHOUTING IN THAI)

(RAIN PATTERING)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

(PANTING)

(GRUNTING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Get your dirty hands...

I'm the protector!

(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)

You'll live to regret this.

I'm coming back!

I'm coming back for you. (YELLS)

(ENGINE STARTS)

JACK: You knew.

How?

Your good friend.

Oh, my God. There you are.

Oh, my God. There you go.

Wells? What happened?

With Bolo?

(BOLO MEOWS)

What... We were-- Wha...

How did you find us?

WELLS: It wasn't easy.

This was you?

WELLS: No.

I had help.

MONK: It was your father

who truly revealed

what was happening.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

MONK: When a double execution

was scheduled,

at the last moment,

I notified the police.

He asked me to give you this.

"I know I haven't

earned my victory yet,

but you and Charlie did

a long time ago."

(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)

CHARLIE: (SOBS)

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)

Brought to you only by Kaboose.

Kicking your a*s into gear.

(LIVELY MUSIC PLAYS, FADES)

(ELECTRONIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)