LOGline
After a near-death experience, Ray Hall, an out-of-vogue actor, tries to playfully stave off a midlife crisis. However, a mischievous mindset and a fascination with his brother's police work, eventually get Ray in over his head, putting himself and his entire family in the crosshairs of the maniacal leader of a human trafficking ring.
tone
FIFTY is an infectious, upbeat and energetic dark comedy that blends intense drama with good, clean fun to keep the audience on its toes. By combining the reality of getting old with a dose of adrenaline and an intricate, engaging subplot that is deliberately teasing the audience, FIFTY leaves you wanting more.
genre
FIFTY is a high-octane, stylized dark comedy focused on the comical, often-immature dynamics of its husband-and-wife team of protagonists. The result is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure that balances explosive action with surprisingly relatable emotional stakes, creating a unique experience that is as suspenseful as it is hilarious.
the story
We meet RAY HALL on his forty-ninth birthday. Ray is an out-of-vogue TV actor known for his memorable portrayal of a hardnose, no nonsense, badass cop on the 2010’s hit show “HARDLAW”. These days, life is pretty different. With no acting work and his popularity all but vanished, Ray has become a mildly depressed suburban dad, existing in what can only be referred to as a comfortable rut.
Right there by his side, Ray’s wife, MAYA HALL, is a loving, high-functioning mother of two, whose job as a high school principal is both challenging and consuming. However, despite Maya’s successful career, she shares some of the same midlife boredom issues as her high-maintenance husband.
Stuck in a profound midlife funk, Ray is feeling increasingly unfulfilled with the direction of his career and his day-to-day life in general. So, when a well-intentioned but misguided "gift" of mushroom gummies are given to him on his 49th birthday, a chaotic surprise birthday party ensues and climaxes with a bloody accident that’s followed by a trip to the emergency room.
This humiliating rock-bottom moment serves as an unexpected wake-up call for Ray who becomes determined to live with purpose and focus in order to shake off his midlife malaise.
In an attempt to help Ray feel better, his brother, STEVE HALL, a real-life detective who’s searching for those responsible for the disappearance of several young local women, invites Ray on a ride along. This thrilling experience breathes new life into Ray who believes he has discovered his true calling.
Unfortunately, his newfound ambition and energy take an odd turn when Ray begins to suspect that the gym teacher at his wife’s school is a threat to their relationship and could be the suspect his brother is looking to apprehend.
What follows is a series of bumbling, yet surprisingly endearing, attempts at amateur vigilantism and it doesn’t take long for Ray to get in over his heads. Fortunately, Maya comes to his rescue but, Ray’s clumsy sleuthing has uncovered far more than he bargained for.
The story builds to a thrilling climax when Ray and Maya get bored on the eve of Ray’s fiftieth birthday and decide to prank their annoying and creepy neighbor who, unbeknownst to them, is the actual high-level human trafficker the police have been searching for.
Their mischievous, and destructive gag not only leads to the poisoning of their family dog, it also unfurls their life in ways they couldn’t possibly have expected, including the disappearance of their oldest daughter and Ray’s brother being taken hostage.
Just when it appears like Ray is about to meet his demise, he draws on the long-dormant TV cop skills from his glory days on "HARDLAW" and embarks on a high-stakes rescue mission that leads to a tense, chaotic and deadly confrontation.
Finally, one year later after our story began, it’s Ray’s fiftieth birthday. Having found true purpose and a renewed sense of self, Ray is finally able to shed his insecurities and becomes a genuine hero to his wife and family. Ray and Maya get the bad guy, save their family and come to the realization that the only thing missing in life after all, was an ability to see just how much they have to be thankful for.
comparable
FIFTY’s character-driven journey of self-discovery blends dark comedy, amateur sleuthing, and unexpected action. Similar examples include:
• The Nice Guys: A mismatched, bumbling duo who stumble into a serious criminal conspiracy while constantly bickering. It shares the same blend of noir elements, sharp comedic dialogue, and sudden moments of high-octane action.
• Fargo: While much darker in tone, this film shares the "accidental hero" or "accidental criminal" trope. A seemingly ordinary person's ill-conceived plan spirals into a chaotic series of events, blending dark humor with genuine suspense and violence.
• Grosse Pointe Blank: A hitman experiencing a midlife crisis returning to his hometown for a reunion. It combines dark, character-driven comedy with sharp wit and moments of serious action.
• Pineapple Express: Two comedic protagonists on the run from a serious criminal enterprise after witnessing a crime. It expertly mixes high-stakes action with stoner comedy and a focus on a "buddy" dynamic.
• Barry: A character-driven story about a desperately conflicted hitman. Barry shares a similar tone, blending dark comedy and escalating tension with a sharp, cynical look at the pursuit of validation.
