La svolta (2021)

Ludovico is an introverted, indecisive young man. He lives alone in a large apartment in Rome’s Garbatella neighborhood, inherited from his grandmother, and fails to meet either his parents’ expectations or his own. An economics student who is overdue to graduate, he has a talent for comics, but draws them only for himself because he does not fully believe in his abilities. One day, Jack bursts into his home. He is a petty thief who has stolen a substantial haul from a member of a gang of criminals led by the ruthless Caino. Jack is being hunted and is forced to hide, while Caino first has the hit man Buzzetti kill the man who let the haul be stolen from him, then sends two other trusted men, Spartaco and Marzio, to recover the loot. After making things clear in a threatening manner, Jack understands Ludovico’s psychology and soon feels empathy for him. In no time, despite being very different, the two develop a strong bond that helps Ludovico in particular overcome a series of mental blocks, allowing him, among other things, to make a move on Rebecca, the beautiful girl upstairs, and get a date with her. Jack also likes Ludovico’s comics and promises to set aside some of the stolen money to get them published. Meanwhile, Caino’s attempts come to nothing. He has Marzio killed and spares Spartaco only because of an old debt of gratitude to Spartaco’s father. He then turns to Buzzetti, who does indeed track down Jack. Wanting to handle the matter himself, Caino bursts into Ludovico’s apartment one evening, where the young men are caught drunk and happy after a lovely evening with the girls from upstairs. Just as Caino is about to kill them, Spartaco bursts in and, to avenge the killing of his colleague Marzio, shoots the big boss dead—but fails to notice the hit man Buzzetti behind him. Buzzetti kills Spartaco, but, to everyone’s surprise, also shoots Caino in the head. He takes the bag of money, then points his gun at the young men. With a startling burst of speed, Ludovico grabs Spartaco’s gun and fires a volley at the hit man, who nevertheless manages to shoot back. Buzzetti is dead, but Ludovico is also lying lifeless. Heartbroken, Jack flees with the loot, but he too is gravely wounded. A short while later, he collapses in the street near some dumpsters, where a team of street cleaners at work spots him. They take the money, while Jack is left lying on the ground with the drawings Ludovico had dedicated to him.