In 1930s Chicago, two clever con artists, Johnny Hooker and his partner, seek vengeance against a violent gangster named Doyle Lonnegan, who has killed their friend. After a con that goes wrong, Hooker is forced to flee, and to carry out his revenge plan, he teams up with a legendary mentor in the world of deception, the experienced conman Henry Gondorff. Together, they devise an elaborate scheme, a monumental con that involves several accomplices and a clever card game, all to put Lonnegan in his place.
What ensues is a battle of wits and cunning, where every move counts and surprises keep emerging. In a world where the law is merely a suggestion, and loyalties are constantly in flux, Hooker and Gondorff use their cleverness to try to outsmart an enemy who will stop at nothing to protect his criminal empire. As the plans unfold, the duo must always stay one step ahead in an environment where deception is king and every face hides a secret. Filled with humor and unexpected twists, this thrilling adventure ensnares the audience in a cat-and-mouse game where, in the end, the truth might be the best trick of all. Will they manage to come out unscathed, or will the cunning gangster have the last word?