Ghosted

2023 film directed by Dexter Fletcher

Ghosted is a 2023 American romantic action comedy film about Cole, a humble American farmer and Sadie, a CIA secret agent Sadie who meet by chance at a farmer's market with Cole falling in love with her unknowing of her secret intelligence career, tracks her down and ends up getting wrapped in her exploits. The title is a reference to the social media behavior phenomenon of Ghosting.

Directed by Dexter Fletcher and screenplay adapted by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers based on a story by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.
You've heard of girl meets guy. Get ready for boy meets spy.taglines

Cole Turner edit

  • Be a cactus. No big moves. No big moves. Be a cactus
  • Yeah. You know that power you felt? That's from the land
  • It's the sub-lie of the first original lie.

Sadie Rhodes edit

  • When I was six, my mom and I fled our country... on a raft... worse than you can imagine. The sun, the waves, sharks, people screaming, crying. I was terrified. Everyone was. They wanted to go back, but... [scoffs] ...my mom was so strong. She kept us all going for five days, until we made it. [Chuckles] And I still remember how they looked at her on the beach. I just, you know, wanted to be like her, strong and brave. So that's the day I decided I was never going to be afraid ever again. And I'm not.
  • [Driving truck through perilious mountain pass with assassins in pursuit] Cole! Are you comfortable?!

Cole's father edit

  • Edna gave me a hand. She was high.
  • Oh, London, the Lady in the Mist [Corrected by daughter]... The Gray Lady. [Corrected by daughter again]...
  • [Repeated line] Did you tell her you wrestled in high school?

Cole's mother edit

  • Fiona was a bitch. You're a hopeless romantic, just like your mom.

Cole's sister edit

  • He just got back from having sex with a stranger, not fighting the Germans.
  • [Finishing father's sentence regarding Cole] Smothering, needy, pathetic, desperate, delusional... Yeah, stuff like this. The stupid gifts, the constant texting. I mean, that's why things never worked out with Fiona.
  • What is this? You took a selfie in bed while she was asleep? Dude, that's weird. That's what serial killers do before they kill their victims and harvest their eyelids!
  • Emoji stuff counts. He is gonna blow it. Mark my words.
  • Oh, no, no, no, I meant with your life. You know, grow a pair, move out of your parents' house... [Answering father's question] There is. He came off way too strong, so she ghosted him... [Father inquires about the term "ghosting] Yeah. It's when someone breaks off all contact. For example, let's just say a young lady makes a horrible, horrible mistake one night, and then the guy just keeps on texting her with emojis, over and over.
  • [Regarding Cole's asthma attack] Sorry. You "did the-leave-behind-your-inhaler"? Come on. Isn't your asthma sad enough already?
  • That is my point exactly, Cole. You missed spring break to get a stupid voucher, which you never used. I mean, that is the type of guy you are.

London cabbie edit

  • Especially if she's the one who ghosted you... Oh, right. An international art curator, doesn't have an overseas calling plan. That's very unusual. [stammers] Talking of romantic gestures, what's that you got in the back then, hey? Is it a little cactus, is it?

Dialogue edit

[Sadie is driving through Virginia countryside when Dr. Yates calls]
Dr. Yates: You disappeared on me. We had an appointment.
Sadie: The mountains called.
Dr. Yates: Sadie, it's normal to be affected by what happened. Death, anyone's, can fill us with urgency.
Sadie: This is not about what happened. I didn't really know her, but... [inhales sharply, stammers and sighs] She was the same as me. Same age, same job. The one time I was in her house, it was the same as mine. [Chuckles] Nice, but cold. Empty, except for one sad houseplant, which is more than I have. She died alone.
Dr. Yates: Sadie, stay present. No big moves, no big changes.
Sadie: So don't marry the rafting guide I just met? [Chuckles] Maybe start with a houseplant. I'd probably eat it. My cold, empty house has a cold, empty fridge. I'm gonna stop for groceries.
Dr. Yates: Let's check in tomorrow.
Sadie: Yeah.

Cole: How guys do you have?
Monte: Including me, three.
Cole: Three! What do you mean three? Three guys total? You have three guys total! You can't do this with three guys!
Monte: The CIA can't operate on US soil. We had to travel light.
Cole: Travel light! What are you, backpacking through Europe? You're the CIA! What does that even mean? Travel light!

Cole: [Bagging a plant at a farmer's market] No pesticides, more nutrients. It just tastes better, you know. [Takes dollar bill] Out of 20. Sorry, guys. [Uses phone to find cashbox] Five, six, seven. Have a good one.
Produce truck guy: You know you're gonna need to buy stock in those trackers. You'd lose your butt if it wasn't attached to you.
Cole: Well, you lost your hair, and that was attached.
Produce truck guy: I walked into that one.
Edna: Hey, Cole. Are you okay? Yeah, heard you got dumped.
Produce truck guy: Tough break, man.
Cole: Edna.
Edna: I gossip when I'm bored.
Cole: For your information, it was mutual.
Edna: Mmm.
Produce truck guy: That's what everyone says after getting dumped.
Edna: That's true. Hmm. Maybe try being a little less needy, you know? Girls don't really like that.
Cole: I'm not needy. We just grew apart. [Sighs] And I really just don't wanna talk about it.
Edna: You wanna go get high? I got a edible in the truck.
Cole: No, thanks.
Edna: Okay. Well, watch my booth. I'm gonna go get high.
Cole: Enjoy.
...
Cole: [Sadie approaches to Cole] Can I help you?
Sadie: Uh, yes, thank you. I'm gonna get that one.
Cole: Begonia. Nice choice.
Sadie: Is that what it is?
Cole: Yeah.
Sadie: It is pretty.
Cole: Yeah. Don't let any pets eat the leaves. They can be slightly toxic.
Sadie: [Chuckles] Pretty and slightly toxic. What is it with me and roommates? Didn't realize you roomed with all of my exes. Mmm. How much watering does it need?
Cole: Uh, every other day or so. Begonias need a little bit of love.
Sadie: Uh... [Sighs] I... [Stutters] I'm actually gone a lot for work.
Cole: Okay. Okay, got it. Um, less love. [Chuckles] Um, what about a snake plant? They only need watering every two weeks.
Sadie: Sometimes I'm gone longer, like a month or two.
Cole: Okay. Mmm. Sorry, then why do you want a plant if you're never home?
Sadie: I'm not never home. I just... How about if you find me something a little less needy?
Cole: Right. Um, why not just get a plastic plant?
Sadie: That's sad.
Cole: Well, not as sad as killing a plant. And some of the new ones, they look totally real. No amount of neglect will kill them.
Sadie: Neglect? You know what, I'm... I'm gonna get this one.
Cole: Yep.
Sadie: Thank you.
Cole: Sorry, I... I can't sell you this plant. I can't sell it to you in good conscience.
Sadie: Good conscience? What are you, the patron saint of plants?
Cole: I just don't feel comfortable selling a plant to someone that can be so indifferent towards a living thing.
Sadie: Indifferent? Is this how you speak to all your customers? 'Cause if you do, I'm shocked that you sell anything at all.
Cole: No, as a matter of fact, this isn't even my stall. I just don't wanna be an accomplice...
Sadie: You're refusing to sell me a plant that you don't even own?
Cole: That's right.
Edna: Hey, Cole. What's going on?
Sadie: Hi. Are these your plants?
Edna: Yes.
Sadie: Awesome. 'Cause Farmer Clown here won't sell me one.
Cole: [Chuckles] Farmer Clown. That's funny.
Edna: The plant is $10, honey.
Cole: Edna, sh... All right, you know what? Hey, want a plant? [Grabs a mini cactus off shelf] Here. [Sets it on counter] Cactus. Requires the bare minimum love a human can give, so you'll totally kill it.
Sadie: You should fire him.
Edna: She's just gonna...
Cole: Have a good one. RIP, little guy. Can you believe that?
Edna: No. I thought for sure you two were gonna exchange numbers.
Cole: What?
Edna: Yes. I thought, under all that stupid fighting, you were flirting.
Cole: Wait, we were flirting?!
Edna: Are you kidding me?! Are you high? [Chuckles] The sexual tension was off the charts!
Cole: Edna, watch my stall.

Cole: [Runs in front of Sadie's vehicle just as she's pulling away] Hey, hey, hey, sorr- [stammers] Sorry. Sorry, sorry.
Sadie: [Cactus rolls off seat and smashes on floor] Shit.
Cole: Hi. Hi.
Sadie: Yep... [sighs] ...it's me. Sorry. Just, uh... [Motions to her to roll down window]
Sadie: Are you here to rescue the plant?
Cole: [Chuckles] No. No, I'm not. That's funny. Um, no, I was just... Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to, um, you know, go out sometime.
Sadie: Are you serious?
Cole: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I... I mean, I know we were kind of... arguing back there...
Sadie: Mm-hmm.
Cole: But I thought that, uh, underneath it, there was, uh... um... something.
Sadie: Something?
Cole: Yeah.
Sadie: [Scoffs] I'm wrong, aren't I? Well, this is embarrassing. Um... Sorry, sorry. I misread it. [Walks away]
Sadie: Hmm. [She honks her horn and makes a come-here gesture] I can use a coffee.
Cole: [Walks back over] A coffee? You want to get a... Yeah. Like, now?
Sadie: [Chuckles] Yes, now. [Chuckles] Get in.
Cole: Yeah, well... Yeah. [Chuckles] Yeah. [Gets in] I'm Cole, by the way.
Sadie: Mm-hmm. Seat belt.
Cole: Yep, yep, yep. [Does up belt] Sorry. [Sighs] I'll just hang on. [Chuckles] Okay.
...
Sadie: [Walking by the C&O canal] I like the canal. It reminds me of Amsterdam.
Cole: So, art curators travel a lot?
Sadie: Oh, yeah. All over the world. I love it. Just jumping on a plane, moment's notice, and then, you know, stepping out into a new place.
Cole: Wow.
Sadie: Oh, gosh, don't tell me you're one of those big, tough guys who's afraid to leave the country.
Cole: Okay, first of all, thank you for calling me big and tough. Let's keep that going. And I travel. I travel a lot.
Sadie: Really?
Cole: Yeah. Yeah, I think the trips that you plan the least are the ones that give you the most.
Sadie: I agree.
...
Cole: [In a book store] Lincoln got shot just across the street, and he died right next door.
Sadie: Sounds like you're a big fan of Lincoln.
Cole: Well, history in general. I majored in agriculture, but I minored in history. That's my real passion.
Sadie: Huh.
Cole: You know, I'm writing a book.
Sadie: You are?
Cole: Yeah.
Sadie: History of farming?
Cole: No, it's about the rise and fall of different empires and the critical role that agriculture...
Sadie: Yeah, it's about farming. [Laughs] So how's it going?
Cole: [Inhales sharply] Well... [sighs] ...it's on pause for now. My dad got hurt a few years ago, so I came back to help him with the farm. So not a lot of time for writing.
Sadie: Hmm. I'm sorry.
Cole: Oh, it's okay. I'll finish it.
...
Cole: [Arriving at an outdoor stair case] You've never seen The Exorcist? It's a classic. It's one of the scariest movies ever made, and they filmed it right here.
Sadie: I don't know. I don't get scared by movies.
Cole: Yeah, because you haven't seen The Exorcist.
Sadie: No, 'cause you can choose not being scared.
Sadie: Okay. Little bet. Race me to the top. And if I beat you, you gotta tell me what scares you. I love this. All right. I like the confidence.
Cole: Hang on, wait, wait, wait, wait. Let me just... Hang on.
Sadie: [Opens backpack] Oh, come on. Put all that in here.
Cole: Are you gonna carry all my stuff? Okay. Wait, wait, wait. [Inhales sharply on inhaler]
Sadie: You looking for pity?
Cole: [Sighs] That's exactly what I'm looking for.
Sadie: Oh, my friend.
Cole: You ready?
Sadie: Yeah.
Cole: And go!
[They race up stairs with Sadie winning by a longshot and Cole is very winded]
Cole: You know, I'm guessing you work out.
Sadie: [In a cheeky tone] Are you okay?!
Cole: Oh, yeah.
...
Sadie: [Walking through National Gallery of Art] Oh, my God. I love Monet.
Cole: So you can just choose not to be scared, huh?
Sadie: When I was six, my mom and I fled our country... on a raft.
Cole: Oh, my God. That must have been...
Sadie: Worse than you can imagine. The sun, the waves, sharks, people screaming, crying. I was terrified. Everyone was. They wanted to go back, but... [scoffs] ...my mom was so strong. She kept us all going for five days, until we made it. [Chuckles] And I still remember how they looked at her on the beach. I just, you know, wanted to be like her, strong and brave. So that's the day I decided I was never going to be afraid ever again. And I'm not.
Cole: I believe you.
Sadie: But it is very cute that you're scared of this movie with the little girl.
Sadie: Oh, my God. This is my own fault. That's... What's the name again?
Cole: It's The Exorcist.
Sadie: I have to watch it now.
Cole: One of the scariest movies of all time. You're gonna have nightmares for a month.
Sadie: Wow. [Chuckles]
Cole: Just watch.
...
Cole: [Walking outside] This has just been incredible.
Sadie: It was great.
Cole: [Sighs] And not to be too forward, but if you ever felt like getting a drink sometime...
Sadie: How about now?
Cole: Okay. I know a great place.
...
Sadie: [At a Rockaoke] Thank you.
Cole: You are amazing! How do you make that look cool?!
Sadie: That's rockaoke. No dignity here.
Club promoter: And next up, we have Cole Turner, turnin' up the heat with "20th Century Boy."
Cole: What happened? No, no, no, no, no, n... No, no.
Sadie: I might have put your name down. Come on, Cole.
Cole: Sadie. Sadie. Sadie, I get nervous singing in the shower.
Sadie: Just give it a go.
Cole: I'm not a performer.
Club crowd: Cole! Cole! Cole!
Club promoter: Cole Turner. Where is Cole Turner?
Cole: Please. I can't.
Sadie: He's not gonna do it. Just call someone else.
Man: Give me the mic. Thank you.
...
Cole: Now, you're out there, seeing the world, traveling, meeting interesting people. It's quite a life.
Sadie: Lately, I'm not so sure. Someone I... I know just died. A coworker. [Sighs] It got me thinking. You know, there are all these things you want in life... [inhales deeply] and it's so hard to find someone who... If only people could be more like your cactus. Not needing watering all the time?
Cole: Right. Exactly.
Sadie: Just living their own lives.
Cole: Yeah.
Sadie: Not needing someone else, like, nourishing them.
Cole: That makes sense.

Sadie: [To a morning jogger] Morning.
Cole: What?
Sadie: Nothing. Good... Good night then. I mean, good morning.
Cole: [Sadie walks up steps to her door] This was quite a date.
Sadie: You mean a day?
Cole: Right. Yeah, that's... Officially. That's a first.
Sadie: Yeah, me too. Well, goodbye.
Cole: Goodbye.
Sadie: Well, uh, I look forward to our next day.
Cole: [Chuckles] Bye.
Sadie: [Sighs] Bye.
Cole: Be a cactus. No big moves. No big moves. Be a cactus. [Knocks on her door and she reappears with them both chuckling and Cole goes inside with them making love]

Sadie: [Lying in bed with Cole] Wow. First farmer?
Cole: [Chuckles] Yeah. You know that power you felt? That's from the land. [They both laugh]

Father: [Cole comes in family house] Hey, Coleslaw.
Cole: Hey, Dad.
Father: Thanks for closing up the stand for me last night.
Cole: Not a problem.
Father: Edna gave me a hand. She was high.
Mother: Look who's finally home. [Hugs him deeply]
Cole: God, take it easy, Mom.
Sister: He just got back from having sex with a stranger, not fighting the Germans.
Mother: Okay, now, come on. Spill the beans.
Cole: Well... [sighs] her name is Sadie, and she is... She's incredible. I mean, I know this sounds a little crazy, but... [chuckles] I think she might be the one.
Mother: Oh, really? Well, that's fast. Well, I can't wait to meet her.
Father: Did you tell her you wrestled in high school?
Cole: No.
Sister: [Going through Cole's phone] What is this? You took a selfie in bed while she was asleep? Dude, that's weird. That's what serial killers do before they kill their victims and harvest their eyelids.
Cole: I was happy. I wanted to preserve the moment. [Stammers]
Sister: He is doing it again!
Cole: Doing what?
Father: It's just... Cole, you can get a bit...
Sister: Smothering, needy, pathetic, desperate, delusional.
Cole: What?
Sister: Yeah, stuff like this. The stupid gifts, the constant texting. I mean, that's why things never worked out with Fiona.
Mother: Fiona was a bitch. You're a hopeless romantic, just like your mom.
Father: Tell her you wrestled in high school.
Cole: Look, I'm not needy, and I'm not smothering. And for your information, I've sent Sadie one text today. One. Three. And some light emoji stuff, but that doesn't count.
Sister: Emoji stuff counts. He is gonna blow it. Mark my words. [She walks away]
Cole: I'm not gonna bl- [sighs]

Cole: Good news. Mortgage refinancing rates have never been lower.
Father: Any word? Maybe your phone's broken.
Sister: Yeah, maybe you should do a hard reset.
Cole: [Sighs] There's nothing wrong with my phone.
Sister: Oh, no, no, no, I meant with your life. You know, grow a pair, move out of your parents' house.
Cole: Guesthouse.
Father: Well, I'm sure there's a logical reason for it.
Sister: There is. He came off way too strong, so she ghosted him.
Father: Ghosted?
Sister: Yeah. It's when someone breaks off all contact. For example, let's just say a young lady makes a horrible, horrible mistake one night, and then the guy just keeps on texting her with emojis, over and over.
Cole: She did not ghost me, okay?
Sister: Mmm. She did.
...
Father: Hey, pal, you're huffing and puffing. Why don't you take a hit off your scuba? Come on, hey. Let's go.
Cole: Oh, my God. [Breathing panicky]
...
Sister: [Cole comes in door in a hurry] Sorry. You "did the-leave-behind-your-inhaler"? Come on. Isn't your asthma sad enough already?
Cole: It wasn't left behind. I forgot it in her purse. And it has one of those, uh, tiles on it. Those tracking things that I use. All right. Drumroll, please. The woman of my dreams is in... [Phone reveals location] London.
Mother: England?
Father: Oh, London, the Lady in the Mist.
Sister: No one calls it that.
Father: The Gray Lady.
Sister: No, that's New York Times.
Father: Are ya sure?
Sister: Yes.
Cole: She does travel a lot for work.
Mother: Well, there you go. That makes sense. She probably got called away last minute on this job and had to rush over there. You know, international calling plans and whatnot. I bet she hasn't even seen your texts.
Cole: Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. Okay.
Mother: Exactly.
Cole: Okay, so this is fine?
Mother: Absolutely.
Father: Yeah.
Mother: Cole, you should go over there.
Cole: What?
Mother: Yeah, show up and surprise her. It'd be a romantic gesture, something we can tell our grandchildren.
Sister: Mom, you can't be serious. Cole, going to London? No.
Father: Why not? This is a perfect opportunity to get out there and grab life by the horns.
Sister: She's gonna think you're psycho.
Cole: Or she'll think that I'm the kind of guy that's willing to jump on a plane at a moment's notice.
Sister: Wait, but you're not that kind of guy. You do not travel anywhere. You haven't even left the country.
Father: That's not true. He was conceived in Ontario.
Mother: Cole, you can do this.
Cole: Yeah, but what about the farm? There's so much to do. I can't just leave you here.
Father: Coleslaw, don't worry about the farm.
Mother: Yeah.
Father: By the horns.
Sister: Come on.
Mother: Yeah, go to her.
Cole: Oh, you know what I have? You remember that spring break where I was supposed to go to Spain and I gave up my seat and I got a voucher?
Sister: That is my point exactly, Cole. You missed spring break to get a stupid voucher, which you never used. I mean, that is the type of guy you are.
Cole: Not today.
Sister: Oh, you still have... [laughs]
Father: Oh, I've got goose bumps.
Mother: Oh, thanks for the warning.
Cole: I'm going to London.

Cole: So it's not like a weird stalker thing. It's just a grand romantic gesture.
London cabbie: Yeah, that is amazing, mate. I mean, I admire your confidence. 5,000 miles to surprise a girl who you've only met once. I mean, that is the epitome of romance, mate.
Cole: Yeah, exactly. See, you get it.
London cabbie: Especially if she's the one who ghosted you.
Cole: I was... Wait, what? No, no, she didn't ghost me. She just doesn't have an international calling plan.
London cabbie: Oh, right. An international art curator, doesn't have an overseas calling plan. That's very unusual. [Stammers] Talking of romantic gestures, what's that you got in the back then, hey? Is it a little cactus, is it?
Cole: Oh, yeah. Yeah, this is a little inside joke between us. Little cactus.
London cabbie: I'm sure she'll split her sides laughing.

Henchman: Let me tell you how this will be. One for you, 19 for me. 'Cause I'm the taxman. Listen to me. I can't believe I'm quoting "The Taxman" to you. So lame. I really am turning into my dad. It's true what they say. When you meet a celebrity, your IQ drops 50 points.
Cole: Where am I?
Henchman: It's just... You're a living legend. Stopping our shipment in Turkey, the assassination in Berlin and now this thing with Elena and the passcode. The boss talks about you all the time. You've become an obsession for him. "The Taxman killed Elena. The Taxman has the passcode. Oh, how I want to find and murder the Taxman." And now here you are.
Cole: No, no, I'm... I'm not a taxman. I'm a farmer. I came to London to surprise a girl, and these guys, they jumped me.
Henchman: Textbook evasion. Frankly, a little disappointing, but the performance? Sublime. It's like you truly believe what you're saying.
Cole: Because I'm telling the truth. You have the wrong guy. My name is Cole Turner. My passport's right over there in the bag, in the front flap.
Henchman: Sublime. It truly is an honor to torture you today. Whoa. Okay, just... just wait. Wait. Normally, I begin with the punching. Wait a minute. [Groaning] You see, it causes me a little pain too. I'm all about sharing the experience. My therapist says that I'm an empath, which means that I'm deeply attuned to others' feelings. But alas, the boss is in a real tizzy about the passcode. Are you familiar with the Schmidt sting pain index?
Cole: Wait, the what? Wait a minute.
Henchman: It's a rating system for the pain caused by the bites and stings of insects. From the simple ouch of the western honeybee to the spray-and-pray of the Latin American bullet ant that you can see primed and ready in that box on the table. Spray-and-pray is short for "spray in your pants and pray for the merciful release of death."
Cole: Excuse me, sir, will you just grab that bag for me quickly? I promise, this is just a big misunderstanding...
Henchman: Normally, we like to start slow and build our way up. But you are special, so we begin with the m*rder hornet.
Cole: Oh, shit. Oh, shit.

Unless, of course, you want to reveal the passcode.

Cole: I don't know any passcode! I'm telling you, you have the wrong guy. My name is Cole Turner. Just look at the passport. It's right there in the bag.

That's just great. This is going to be fun. For me, not for you.

Cole: [Pants] Holy shit. Holy shit. Wait, wait... [blows] Oh, God. Oh, shit! Oh, shit! [Screams]
[Sadie bursts in door and finishes off all henchman in room]
Sadie: Can you walk?
Cole: What?
Sadie: [Sighs] Can you walk, Cole?
Cole: [Breathes heavily] Sadie. [Sadie slaps him]
Sadie: [Jabs index finger] Head down, mouth closed. Follow me before anyone sounds the alarm. Know how to use a gun?
Cole: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. But...
Sadie: Shoot anyone who's not me. Stay on my six. Let's go.
Cole: Sadie. Geez. [Grunts] Sadie, what the hell is going on? Who are these people?
Sadie: Bad guys. They set a trap for one of our agents, and you fell into it. [Spots approaching guards on surveillance screen] Agents.
Cole: Art agents? [Sadie trips Cole and finishes off two guards] Not an art agent. Got it. [Grunts] Sorry, there's a lot going on. Plus those guys drugged me. Who are you?!
Sadie: CIA. At least, until they find out about this fiasco. Keep moving.
Cole: My God, you're a spy! Do you actually know where you're going?
...
Cole: No, it's... It's the most amazing thing I've e... [pants] I'm so confused. They kept asking me about the Taxman.
Sadie: They asked you about the Taxman?
Cole: No, they think I am a Taxman.
Sadie: They think you're the Taxman? That the Taxman would actually fall for that lazy trap? They caught the Taxman, and it's you?
Cole: You're the Taxman!
Sadie: Oh, my God. [Walks off]
Cole: Oh, my God!
...
Sadie: [When Cole fails to finish off guards] You said you could shoot!
Cole: At tin cans, not people!
...
Cole: Art curator, my ass.
Sadie: I thought you were different too. Sweet, fun, low-maintenance. I can't believe I was gonna call you when I got back.
...
Cole: Were you really gonna call me when you got back?
Sadie: Yes, until you texted me 11 times in two days.
Cole: Seven. Emoji stuff doesn't count.
Sadie: Yes, it does. Emoji stuff counts. Move.
...
[Cole and Sadie leave cave to reveal that is the Pakistani Khyber Pass]
Sadie: [Grabs Cole's jacket] Come on!
Cole: Where the hell are we?!
Sadie: [Slides down cliff] Jump! Cole, come on!
Cole: I swallowed a rock!
Sadie: Keep going!
...
Sadie: [Uses her person to stop a jingle bus] Stop! Get off the bus.
Cole: You're never gonna make it through!
Sadie: We're not going that way!
Cole: [Sadie drives bus in reverse under gunfire] Do you know what you're doing?! Have you done this before?!
Sadie: I'm gonna let you think yes!
Cole: I cannot believe you got me kidnapped and tortured all after one date!
Sadie: You're the one who flew to London!
Cole: [Sadie forces a tuk tuk onto a mountain side] Holy shit!
Sadie: You are unbelievable!
Cole: What?!
Sadie: You stalkered your way across the ocean to find me! That is not cactus behavior!
Cole: Don't use stalker as a verb! And it was a romantic gesture!
Sadie: I checked your records! You've never even left the country!
Cole: You checked my records?! Who's stalkering now?!
...
[Cole is choking a thug]
Sadie: Choke him out!
Cole: They usually tap.
Sadie: He's not going to tap. Just choke him out.
...
[Cole throws a thug out the door and falls onto Sadie's lap]
Sadie: Cole! Are you comfortable?!
Cole: Sorry, sorry, sorry.
...
[Cole is holding up cactus plant]
Sadie: Is that what I think it is?
Cole: It was meant to be a joke. [Sighs] It was a lot funnier before I used it to kill a man.
Sadie: Hey. Time to walk.

Leveque: Great khans, they used to cross these lands. Brutal Killers. It was said if you wanted to find one, you had to step over the dead.
Wagner: The Taxman has a face. No matches in the intelligence databases. They must be running him off the books.
Leveque: Mmm. Clever.

Cole: I've got blood on my hands.
Sadie: It's the blood of bad men. We did what we had to.
Cole: Is that what you tell yourself? You're a liar.
Sadie: I'm not the liar here. I told you things I've never told anyone. It was all true.
Cole: Not all of it!
Sadie: [Sighs] Okay, one lie about my job.
Cole: I really ate it up too, didn't I? Especially that sob story about your coworker that died. That is low.
Sadie: That was actually true. Her name was Elena.
Cole: And she really died?
Sadie: I may have killed her.
Cole: What?
Sadie: She was an enemy agent. She worked for these guys.
Cole: You said she was a coworker.
Sadie: She was. In a loose sense.
Cole: See, this is what I'm talking about. It's just lies and lies and more lies.
Sadie: It's not lies and more lies.
Cole: It's the sub-lie of the first original lie. You're unbelievable!
Sadie: [Stops Cole in tracks] Hey. Fine, I lied about my job. But you lied about who you are.
Cole: Well, excuse me for fudging a few details to try and impress the most amazing woman I've ever met!
Sadie: Ugh, please!
Cole: Who apparently kills coworkers! Oh, my God!
Sadie: She killed innocent people, Cole! [Flags down a taxi] Do you know what? I am done with you. Head down, shut your mouth and follow my lead. The sooner I get rid of you, the sooner I get back to the mission.
Cole: Fine. You know what?! I just want to get away from you and out of here as fast as possible!
Sadie: You should. 'Cause I've tangled with these guys before, and they are ruthless. And now they think you're me, so they're looking for you... [Derisively] "Taxman". [Gets in taxi with Cole getting in]

Leveque: I'll speak with Utami. Buy us some time. [Chuckles at a centipede capturing a beetle] And the passcode?
Winger: Looks like Borislov was too slow.
Leveque: As usual.
Winger: But I finally know what the Taxman looks like, so I'll find him.
Leveque: [A henchman is suffering from wound] What is this?
Winger: He doesn't know anything.
Leveque: We cannot afford this kind of failure. [Picks up container of bullet ants] The game we play, it's like no other. If we succeed, we have wealth, power. And if we fail, we die. And that is only if we're lucky. [Chuckles]
Henchman: No, please. Please... Please help me. [Crying]
Leveque: No more mistakes.
Henchman: No. [Leveque pours bullet ants all over henchman who screams in anguish]
Leveque: Get that photo to every bounty hunter on the continent. One million dollars. Alive. He is our only access to that code. Anyone kills the Taxman, that bounty moves onto their head. [Makes cut throat gesture]

[Cole and Sadie arrive in Mingora]
Sadie: Be right back. Just like your farmers' market. Come on.
Cole: Where are you taking me?
Sadie: Back to your farm, unless you screw this up. Stay close. Be cool.
Cole: [To a standing guard] How you doing? [A sitting guard cocks his assault rifle] What? Friendly isn't cool?
Marco: Well, well... [chuckles] well, Sadie sunflower.
Sadie: Marco. [They passionately kiss]
Marco: Look at you.
Sadie: Mmm.
Marco: Who's your friend?
Cole: I'm, uh...
Sadie: He's a civilian I just recovered.
Marco: Ah. You look ravenous, mate. Let me put something inside you. Come on. Mmm. [Leads Cole and Sadie to vendor stalls] Sit down, sit down. Come on, sit down. Aye. The scrap out at the caves. I should have known that was you.
Sadie: It was the same people that stole Aztec.
Cole: What's Aztec?
Marco: A biochemical weapon. Very nasty. Deadly enough to wipe out the Eastern Seaboard.
Sadie: That's classified.
Marco: They're going to sell it.
Cole: Thank you for filling me in.
Marco: And they're using those caves with highly paid protection. There's only one man that can pull this off. Leveque. Disgraced French intelligence. Played in this sandbox for most of the war... [sighs] and then he went into business for himself. Arms deals, assassinations. If he's your target, be careful. He's a dangerous man. Anyway, mate, best chaat in town. Enjoy it. This is yours, sunflower. Extra spicy. Just how you like it.
Cole: So, are you two, um, you know, a couple?
Marco: Yeah.
Sadie: No.
Marco: Yes. Yeah.
Sadie: No. It was like five months.
Marco: A long time. You know, we had a lot in common. You know, work. Not work. [To vendor man] Hey, Mahmoud. [Laughs]
Cole: Got it. Subtle.
Sadie: It's not that. It's just that sometimes it's easier to date someone in the same profession.
Marco: Always. Although I wouldn't call what we did dating.
Sadie: Oh, please. Can we focus?
Cole: Well, that's charming. Very cool.
Marco: Okay.
Cole: Very cool.
Sadie: I need to find Aztec. And I need your guys to get Cole back safely to America.
Marco: Who is he really?
Sadie: Nobody. He's a mistake.
Cole: I... You're the mistake. She said she was an art curator. [Marco laughs heartily]
Sadie: [Laughs] Wait a second.
Colee: [Mouths] Oh, my God.
Marco: You said... What? Is he your boyfriend? [Laughs] He's very funny. Oh, you poor bastard. You thought you met a hottie, right? Not a Mata Hari. But, hey, at least the no pants dance was worth it.
Sadie: Oh, God. [Gets up from table and walks away]
Cole: No, it wasn't.
Marco: Oh, come on. It wa- Oh, come on. It was. It was for me. [Holds out a prosthetic hand] And I lost a hand. Lost it.
Cole: Wait. You lo-
Marco: Yeah, gone. It's fake. Touch it.
Cole: That's because of Sadie?
Marco: Yeah. You can touch it.
Cole: No. I... I'm... I'm okay. How?
Marco: When Sadie and I were together, we took a little romantic getaway to Myanmar.
Sadie: [Comes back with drink] Uh, no. It was a mission.
Marco: There were many positions. Don't know if you remember, but anyway. Things went south. I got captured, and, uh, Sadie took right off. Turns out that's exactly what the secret police did to me.

Oh, my God.

Marco: Yeah, don't worry about it, man. You got two hands, right, but only one life. You know what I miss most, mate? Guess. [Makes a very blatant reference to masturbation gesture]
Cole: Yeah.
Marco: I used to do that all the time. Can't do it anymore, can I?
Cole: Sorry. You left your boyfriend to get his hand cut off. What the hell is wrong with you?
Marco: Nothing. I'd have done the same. Mission over man. Right, sunflower? Surrounded by lunatics.
Cole: Wait a minute. Did you come back to save me or get Aztec?
Marco: Ooh.
Sadie: You were a secondary objective.
Cole: Oh, my, God.
Marco: High-priority secondary, I'm sure. And look at you now, brother. Thriving. Every word you're saying is making it worse. Every word.

I know you're trying. Just...

Sadie: Marco.
Marco: This guy.
Sadie: Hey. Are you gonna take him back home or not?
Cole: Oh. Please say yes. I'd really hate it if one of my limbs comes between Sadie and a clean exit.
Marco: Sure. Sadie survivors have to look after each other, right?
Sadie: Thank you. Honestly, thank you so much.

blatant reference to masturbation gesture]

Cole: Yeah.
Marco: I used to do that all the time. Can't do it anymore, can I?
Cole: Sorry. You left your boyfriend to get his hand cut off. What the hell is wrong with you?
Marco: Nothing. I'd have done the same. Mission over man. Right, sunflower? Surrounded by lunatics.
Cole: Wait a minute. Did you come back to save me or get Aztec?
Marco: Ooh.
Sadie: You were a secondary objective.
Cole: Oh, my, God.
Marco: High-priority secondary, I'm sure. And look at you now, brother. Thriving. Every word you're saying is making it worse. Every word.

I know you're trying. Just...

Sadie: Marco.
Marco: This guy.
Sadie: Hey. Are you gonna take him back home or not?
Cole: Oh. Please say yes. I'd really hate it if one of my limbs comes between Sadie and a clean exit.
Marco: You're welcome, babe. Kiss?
Sadie: No. [Walks away]
Marco: No.
Sadie: Goodbye, Cole. I'm glad that you survived. [Comes back] Um, I just wanna be very clear. Do not ever contact me again. Okay?
Cole: With pleasure. I've already forgotten your name. Which I'm sure by the way is fake anyway, so... [Scoffs] Unbelievable.
Marco: Tell me about it. She went for a normie, but that's just lying to herself.
Cole: Yeah.
Marco: Anyway, cheer up, mate. Stop staring at her. Stop crying. You're safe now. Come on. We got a cheeky bottle-o in the back. On the piss, you and me get drunk, get smashed. Alcohol in your mouth. This is my town. Nothing happens here that I don't see coming a mile away. [Bounty hunter shoots Marco in the forehead]
Bounty hunter: Everything but that I guess. Walk. Both of you.
Cole: Sorry about Marco.
Sadie: Stop talking before you get us killed.
Bounty hunter: Don't worry. They want him alive. I don't know what your deal is, but I'm sure they'll pay for you too.
Cole: Oh, they definitely will.
Sadie: Cole, shut up.
Cole: Just... I'm trying to keep you alive. [Scoffs] Would you rather I say they wouldn't pay for you?
Bounty hunter: This is so cute. Get a room. If it means anything, he's not the Taxman.
Bounty hunter: Yeah, and I'm not the Grandson of Sam.
Cole: Huh?
Bounty hunter: Like the Son of Sam, the serial killer, but next gen. I'm the best bounty hunter alive.
[The Leopard leaps down onto the Bounty hunter 1]
Cole: Ooh. [The Leopard fatally shoots the Bounty hunter 1] Ooh.
The Leopard: Second best.
Cole: That was very impressive.
The Leopard: [Points gun at Cole] Shall we? [Cole and Sadie continue walking]
Cole: Yep, yep. Yep.
The Leopard: You disappointed me, Taxman. That was too easy. Now your lady friend's gonna die 'cause of you.
Cole: That's funny. Usually the other way around.
The Leopard: It was you who followed me to Europe.
Cole: Lured by your lying.
The Leopard: God, you two need to get a room.
Cole: We did. That's what got us into this mess.
The Leopard: Okay, get in the car. Lady drives. Taxman, you're riding middle. Scooch, scooch.
Cole: Well, Taxman it up.
Sadie: Don't use Taxman as a verb.
Cole: You mind telling us who you are?
The Leopard: They call me the Leopard. [An assassin in the backseat fatally snaps The Leopard's neck]
Cole: Oh!
Sadie: Oh, my God.
The Bounty Hunter 2: Called him the Leopard. But even leopards get killed by lions, hyenas, lightning. Get him out. And drive. [Cole pushes Bounty Hunter 1 out of the vehicle]
Cole: And who are you?
The Bounty Hunter 2: God. The Bounty Hunter.
Cole: Wow. You guys have really good names in your world. It's like the WWE, but scarier.
The Bounty Hunter 2: [Puts a metal tab on Cole's and Sadie's neck] One twist of this ring will send 50,000 volts through your sorry ass. Make you wish you were dead. [Chuckles]
Sadie: Too late.
Cole: This is great. Thank you for this.
Sadie: Huh?
Cole: No, I was just thinking how happy I am to have an electrified hockey puck stuck to my neck with what, 50,000 volts ready to go into...
Sadie: I can't take this.
Cole: ...volts into my-
Sadie: You really need to shut up.
Cole: Wow. [Sighs]
The Bounty Hunter 2: You two should get a room. You know what? Stop. Pull over here. My car is better.

Look, I don't mean to shake your confidence, God, but the last two guys didn't make it. My confidence doesn't shake. I spent years conditioning myself to attuning my sense- [A vehicle plows into him with Bounty Hunter 1 getting out aiming a gun]

The Bounty Hunter 1: Got you, suckers.
Sadie: [She apprehends gun from Bounty Hunter 1, takes shock ring off The Leopard, turns Bounty Hunter 1 over and aims gun at him] If you're collecting the bounty, where are they taking delivery?

Sadie: Listen, I'll stash you someplace safe. If I don't come back for you, an extraction team will.
Cole: So you're really gonna raid a plane full of armed goons by yourself?
Sadie: I have to find Aztec. It's my only play.
Cole: Wow. [Sighs] Well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry about Marco.
Sadie: Ugh. God. Seriously?
Cole: You know, I'm trying to connect about a person that just died. Someone you knew well. Are you capable of that, or is that only on first dates? The rest of the time, it's just chemical weapon and passcodes and bullets and death.
Sadie: Wait, what passcodes? W- What do you mean about passcodes?
Cole: The bug guy in the cave kept asking me about passcodes. [Sadie slams brakes] Jesus.
Sadie: He thinks I have the passcode?
Cole: Yeah.
Sadie: And you're telling me this now?!
Cole: Oh, I'm sorry. I was slightly drugged and kidnapped at the time.
Sadie: Unbelievable.
Cole: Also, in case you forgot, I'm a farmer. I'm not a super spy. Why didn't you just ask me what the torturer was torturing me about?
Sadie: You are unbelievable!
Cole: What?! What?!
Sadie: What are the passcodes?!
Cole: The least you could do is tell me what I almost died for.
Sadie: Aztec is inside a high-security case that cannot be opened without a passcode. Elena figured out the DNA encryption.
Cole: What do you mean, DNA encryption?
Sadie: The passcode is the entire genetic sequence of a living organism. Insanely long and unique.
Cole: Wow.
Sadie: I got to Elena before she could upload it to Leveque.
Cole: So they think you have the passcode?
Sadie: But I don't because she destroyed it. But if Leveque is trying to get it from me, that means he doesn't have it either. Which means he can't

hand the weapon over to his buyers.

Cole: Which means...
Sadie: He still has Aztec. Which means change of plans. Do you trust me?
Cole: Is that a fucking joke?
Sadie: Thank you for your honesty. [Pistol whips Cole]

Cole: [Winger opens trunk with Cole bound and gagged] You're a f... I cannot believe...
Winger: 'Cause I'm the taxman. [To Sadie] Yeah, I'm the taxman. Get it?
Sadie: The song? Very funny.
Winger: You left an impressive trail of blood bringing us our friend. Well done.
Sadie: Thanks. But I don't get paid in compliments.
Winger: Hmm. You'll get your money, bounty hunter. [Leveque arrives]
Leveque: [To Cole] So you're the Taxman. CIA's golden boy. Your pseudonym has generated as much fun as you have. But I know you. I know you because I was you. Disposable. Except one day, I found myself bleeding out in a ditch on the edge of Kabul. Mmm. There was trash everywhere. And then suddenly, I got clarity. I had given them everything and sacrificed everything. It is a waste of life. And what are we? Hmm? Instruments. Expendable. We deserve better. [A thug manhandles Cole out of the trunk and holds him up to Leveque] Tell me the passcode and walk away. If you don't... well, we both know how that will go. I will get what I want... and you will die anyway.
Cole: For nothing. I swear to God, I don't know what the passcode is. I'm not even the Taxman. [Sadie gut punches Cole]
Sadie: Shut up. [Sighs] Can we get back to business? Is that my money?

Your payment will be wired soon. Rumor has it you stole a weapon you can't use, so you're overextended. And now you want me to work on what?

Sadie: Credit.
Leveque: No, no. Cash.
Sadie: And until I get it, he doesn't leave my sight.
Winger: Or we just kill you. [Cole is manhandled away]
Sadie: [To Winger] And make your boss the guy who offers big paydays and kills anyone who delivers? [To Leveque] Let me guess. This is the idiot who lost him to begin with.
Leveque: You'll get your cash when you land. [Sadie walks to plane] She called you an idiot.
Winger: Yeah
Leveque: To your face. kill her when you touch down. Get that passcode. I expect that to be open next time I see you. [Walks to vehicle]
Winger: You're not coming?
Leveque: If anything should go wrong when you open that case... [Mimics explosion] everyone on board dies. No pressure.
Winger: Yes, sir.

[Cole and Sadie are airborne in private jet]
Winger: We're looking for a genetic sequence. Do you know what "genetic" means? [Thug reacts to being pricked and pulls out cactus plant] That's a cactus.
Sadie: [To Cole] Thirsty? [Undoes Cole's gag while Winger's thug pulls out Cole's phone showing it to Winger] Be smart.
Cole: [Passionately mouths] Sociopath.
Sadie: I'm not a sociopath.
Cole: You know who says that a lot? Sociopaths. I have dated some crazies in my day, but you are certifiable. This is bigger than you and me.
Sadie: And my plan worked. Better than I imagined.
Cole: Oh, really? Did you imagine I'd make it out of this alive?
Sadie: We found Aztec. [Sighs] As soon as we land, we'll take these guys down. We'll be safe. The world will be safe. Everybody wins. [Winger and henchman sit near Cole and Sadie] What's all this?
Winger: [Holds up Cole's phone to show him in bed with Sadie] What's... all this? Hmm? I would expect more discretion from the Taxman.
Sadie: So would I.
Winger: So what are you really? Hired help? Or just the girlfriend?
Cole: Oh, believe me, she's not girlfriend material.
Winger: You know, I don't care. You die either way. [Winger's henchman points gun at Sadie]
Cole: Hey, hey, hey. Wait, wait. Wait.
Winger: Who's the idiot now? Hmm?
Sadie: I have the passcode.
Winger: [Chuckles] Bullshit.
Sadie: He doesn't have it. I do.
Winger: Oh, really? So we can kill him. [Winger's henchman points gun at Cole]
Cole: Hey! Wait. Okay. Wait.
Winger: The passcode. Now!
Sadie: Sure. It's in my pocket.
Winger: [To second thug about to draw his firearm] We're good. [Sadie pulls out a tube of lipbalm] Really?
Sadie: Open it. [Winger opens tube and drops out two shock tabs from The Leopard with Sadie electrocuting The Leopard]
Cole: Shit! [Sadie and Cole then fights other two henchmen]
Sadie: I can't believe you took a picture of me while I was sleeping!
Cole: Not of you, of us!
Sadie: I knew you were a creep!
Cole: I'm not a creep! You know who says that a lot? Creeps!

[Observing Sadie's stabbed wound incurred in the fight]

Cole: Whoa. Let me see. Let me see. Let me see. Oh, my God.
Sadie: Take the case and go. There is a parachute. [breathing heavily]
Cole: What about you?
Sadie: Mission over man.
Cole: No. No. I gotta stop this bleeding first. You're losing a lot of blood.
Sadie: Just go, Cole.
Cole: I gotta find...
Sadie: Cole, go! Go!
Cole: Sadie, I'm telling you right...
Sadie: Get out of here. [Cole finds parachute and puts it on]
Winger: Hey! [To henchman getting up] Get out of the way, you idiot. [Fires at Cole]
Sadie: [Cole gets ahold of her and drags her to door] What are you doing?
Cole: I have no idea. [He opens door and they're both sucked out]

[Cole and Sadie are on the island of Socotra with her resting under a tent fashioned from the parachute tarp]
Cole: [Noticing Sadie beginning to come to] Sadie? [Sadie smacks Cole in face] Oh! God. I told you to go.
Cole: I did. I just took you with me.
Sadie: How long was I out?
Cole: A while. [Sighs]
Sadie: Looks like you got creative with the parachute
Cole: I had a lot of nervous energy.
Sadie: You got it.
Cole: Yeah. Yeah.
Sadie: [Spots briefcase] You got it. You got Aztec.
Cole: Yeah. [Sadie attempts to get up] Wait. Take it easy.
Sadie: I mean, do you have a...
Cole: You lost a lot of blood. It was really gross. I'm sorry.
Sadie: I... I... I don't know what to say
Cole: Thank you You're welcome.

Leveque: [Answering phone and excusing himself of fellow partiers] Pardon me. Excuse me. Excuse me.
Winger: Leveque, things didn't go as planned. The girl sprung the Taxman.
Leveque: How many times can you lose one man? Hmm? Listen carefully. If we do not deliver an operational weapon in 48 hours, our buyers will kill us all. Now, you find the Taxman, or they will not have the chance because I will kill you myself.
Winger's henchman: Boss. We have a sighting of the parachute.
Winger: Good.

Cole: You know, I think, depending on your strength, we should consider maybe hiking out of here tomorrow. Depending on your strength.
Sadie: You have to tell me. What is this gunk? [Laughs]
Cole: It's periwinkle and gavilana. I found it up the beach, smashed it up and put it in there to stop the bleeding and fight the infection.
Sadie: How did you know how to do that?
Cole: I read about it. Throughout history, every culture has their own knowledge of the crops they grow for food or clothing, medicine.
Sadie: I just don't get why you never left the country.
Cole: Here we go.
Sadie: What? I'm serious. You're clearly interested in the world.
Cole: I wanted to travel. I really did. I thought I was gonna after I graduated. You know, research the book. Then my dad got hurt... just went home.
Sadie: He never recovered?
Cole: No, he did. He's good now. But you know, he's getting old. And you know, we got to keep production high to compete, and business is changing. Anyway... They need me there.
Sadie: Do they?
Cole: What about you? Your mom must be proud. Daughter's a CIA agent. Right?
Sadie: I'd like to think she'd be. My mom died when I was very young.

Cole: [Groans] God, I'm sorry. I didn't know.

Sadie: It's okay. I promise it's... It happened so long ago. You know, and then after she died. I... I found the... the army. You know, somewhere where I could put my focus. And then the agency, they gave me purpose. Our struggles make us stronger. [Chuckles] Right? Any other family?
Cole: In my line of work, it's better being alone.
Sadie: Is it?
Cole: For what it's worth, I think that any parent would be very proud...of you.
Sadie: You know what? [Referring to cactus plant] I just can't believe that that little shit is still in one piece. [She and Cole chuckles]
Cole: Maybe you can keep a cactus alive after all.
Sadie: Maybe. [Leans in to kiss Cole]
Cole: I'm sorry about the selfie.
Sadie: I'm sorry about the gag. Call it even?
Cole: Deal. [They passionately kiss]

Cast edit

External links edit

 
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