The following contains spoilers for Deep Cover, now playing in theatersDeep Cover‘s various twists and turns push the central trio of improv comedians to some surprising lengths and welcome new depths. Deep Cover focuses on improv teacher Kat, an American actress in London who is running out of time on her work visa and hasn’t been able to make it work as an actor. Approached by police detective Billings about a sting operation involving improv comedians, Kat recruits two of her students — a self-serious method actor named Marlon and a shy IT worker named Hugh — to help her pull off a straightforward and low-level job for the cops.

A string of unexpected turns results in the trio stumbling into the greater criminal underworld of London, setting up a twisty crime narrative that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen a Guy Ritchie film. Deep Cover‘s cast of characters find themselves revealing more and more about themselves as the film progresses, learning about their limits and finding new lengths they’ll go to survive. Here are all the big twists and turns of Deep Cover, as well as how the film’s ending could lay the groundwork for a sequel.

How Kat, Marlon, & Hugh Convince Everyone They Are Undercover Cops

The Improv Trio Uses The Chaos Of Their Situation To Their Advantage

One of the big twists of the ending of Deep Cover sees Kat, Marlon, and Hugh’s undercover work as criminals shift into pretending to be undercover cops. After being arrested and revealing the truth to the authorities, Kat comes up with a new plan that can help ensure the fake sting operation they were tricked into actually happens. Going back to Fly, now in-character as the undercover officers the criminal underworld believes them to be, the trio turn Fly into an informant (even ensuring that all four of them get immunity for helping bring down Metcalfe and the Albanians).

It’s a fun escalation for the crime caper comedy, especially as it gives each of the trio time to shine. Kat is able to construct the scene, while Marlon provides support instead of forcing himself into the spotlight. Hugh has the most dramatic beat, intimidating Metcalfe and helping goad him into revealing the true scale of the drug deal. By doubling down on the improv skills they honed during the film, the trio don’t just escape custody and save their own lives, but also bring down a criminal empire.

Billings’ Villain Twist In Deep Cover

Sean Bean’s Detective Is A Corrupt Cop In One Of Deep Cover’s Biggest Twists

One of the big twists of Deep Cover is that Billings’ “improv undercover sting” operation is all fake, turning the character into a dirty cop and escalating the tension for the second half of the film. In the first act of Deep Cover, Billings is introduced as a gruff but seemingly trustworthy figure who convinces the trio to keep diving deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld. However, his disappointment over a haul in the middle of the film leads Kat to realize that there is no backup coming and that Billings is a dirty cop.

It’s a clever twist that feels obvious in retrospect, as it explains the sheer amount of freedom Billings was working with by recruiting the trio. Billings intended to use the three as his agents in the criminal underworld, having them do all the dirty work while he acquired a “retirement fund” from their efforts. He would then blackmail them with the only evidence that they didn’t commit their crimes of their own accord. The fact that this danger is only further escalated by Billings’ sudden death makes his big reveal scene one of the most important moments in the film.

Metcalfe’s Villain Role In Deep Cover & What He Wants

The True Big Bad Of Deep Cover Has No Patience For Improv

While Kat, Marlon, and Hugh are able to charm and trick their way past most of the criminals they encounter in Deep Cover, one person seemingly impervious to them is Metcalfe. Established early on as a crime boss so fearsome that even the otherwise intimidating Fly shows him deference, Metcalfe is the ultimate threat of the film. Metcalfe’s efforts to arrange a partnership with the Albanian gangs is complicated by the trio and Fly, leading him to forcibly recruit the group to make up for their mistakes.

After Billings’ death, Metcalfe becomes obsessed with finding the “rats” who were working with him. Metcalfe is defined by his desire for order and hates the chaos that Fly has introduced into his criminal empire. He’s willing to meet any threats to that stability with death, a ruthless figure in a film full of layered characters. In this sense, Metcalfe is the anтιтhesis of the spirit of improv, which embraces chaos and connectivity on a core level. On top of being the most dangerous villain of the film, Metcalfe comes to represent a thematic roadblock the heroes must overcome.

What Happens To Fly And Shosh In Deep Cover?

Fly And Shosh Are Dangerous, But They’re Still Very Human

The two most sympathetic criminals in Deep Cover are Fly and Shosh, whom the trio befriend after some initial tensions joining their crew as part of their undercover work. Fly finds a rapport with Kat, who increasingly bonds with him after discovering he has a daughter in Puerto Rico. Shosh develops the film’s primary love story with a surprised Hugh, whose innocent flirtations and increasing confidence draw her closer to him. Fly even spares the trio after they are exposed as “rats,” arguing that he’s a criminal but won’t be a killer for someone as ruthless as Metcalfe.

As a result of these sympathetic elements, Fly and Shosh are given relatively happy endings. Although both of them are dangerous in their own right, their humanity in the face of more overt threats like Metcalfe makes it easier for the characters to end the story in a better place. Fly’s willingness to become a witness against Metcalfe gives him immunity, with Kat mentioning afterwards that he’s relocated to be with his daughter. Shosh doesn’t get that deal, but the trio allows her to escape after she saves them from Metcalfe, sparing her freedom.

Everyone Who Dies In Deep Cover

Almost Every Major Death In Deep Cover Happens To A Villain

There are a few notable deaths in Deep Cover, most of which befall villains. Early in the film, several gangsters and a police officer are killed when Shosh steals drugs from the Albanian mob. Later, the trio scare an ᴀssᴀssin called Iceman and send him running into the streets, where he’s hit by a car. The first major death is Billings, who is unceremoniously sH๏τ in the head by Shosh when she sees him seemingly threatening her new allies. While this does remove the danger he posed, it does raise the stakes for Kat, Marlon, and Hugh.

It also catches the attention of Metcalfe, who intensifies the search for any undercover cops working with Billings. This is how Metcalfe becomes a more active threat in the film’s latter half. This builds to the climax of Deep Cover, which sees the trio work with the police to pull off a mᴀssive sting operation. Infuriated, Metcalfe non-fatally shoots Fly but is himself dispatched by Shosh, who shoots him in the back. It’s notable that in both cases, Deep Cover‘s most important deaths both come at the hands of the same character.

Does Deep Cover Set Up A Sequel?

Deep Cover Has A Tidy Conclusion But Leaves Enough Room Open For A Follow-Up

The tidy ending of Deep Cover doesn’t necessarily set up a sequel, but it does set up the groundwork for a potential follow-up. After being granted immunity for their ᴀssistance, the trio return to their lives in London — albeit with a newfound sense of confidence and inner peace after their adventures, which underscores their likability and growth as characters. A sequel could easily bring the trio back together for a new ᴀssignment, especially if the police want to try and replicate the success of their London operation.

Although the public knowledge of the sting might make it hard for them to simply blend in, the trio could be utilized in operations in other parts of the country or world. There’s also the lingering question about Shosh, who is confirmed to have escaped the authorities. She could easily come back and recruit Hugh and the others for a job, potentially even rekindling the romance that was brewing between them. While Deep Cover ends on a nice, conclusive note, the film’s optimistic and open-ended ending lay the groundwork for more adventures.

The Real Meaning Of Deep Cover

Improv Is Life

Deep Cover is ultimately about the growth that something like improv can induce in a person. Kat, Marlon, and Hugh were all struggling in their personal lives, unappreciated in their careers and aware of their failings. Through their work together in Deep Cover, all three of them find a way to escape their respective ruts. Kat revitalizes her sense of self and showcases her talents, eventually coming up with the sting that wins the day. Marlon learns to work in a dynamic, giving up the spotlight after his previous “lead performances” almost got them killed.

Hugh goes through the most radical reinvention, gaining enough confidence to stand up to Metcalfe in the climax. As a result, all three get happy endings — Kat gets the respect of her students, Marlon gets a successful audition, and Hugh starts his own winery. Even Fish and Shosh, who revealed more about themselves with the three, end the film better than when they started, thanks to the impact the group had on them. Fish’s mercy gets him a chance to be with his daughter, while Shosh’s bond with Hugh leads her to save their lives and a subsequent escape.

In Deep Cover, the true villains are characters like Metcalfe and Billings, who play on the insecurities of others and seek to control any situation through extortion or violence. It’s a ruthless way to live, and one that goes against the communicative and collaborative spirit of improv that unites the three during the events of the film. Deep Cover showcases the personal growth that can come about by opening up to others, even when it’s in-character or undercover.