"TENET" (2020)

TENET

Written by

Christopher Nolan

ORCHESTRA TUNING, audience settling. High officials in glassed-in boxes toast each other. Doors closing...

BAM – from behind the orchestra – TERRORISTS with MACHINE GUNS BURST in... The audience SCREAMS... The terrorists cover the ordinary people – the HIGH OFFICIALS are held in the BOXES...

As POLICE FLOOD THE PLAZA, the DRIVER turns to the PASSENGER –

The Passenger turns to the back where four BLACK-CLAD YOUNG MEN SIT, WAITING. The nearest one seems to be SLEEPING...

EYES CLOSED, the young man COCKS his weapon, chambering a round, POPS it out of the slide, CATCHES it, opens his eyes – this is THE PROTAGONIST...

The Passenger nods, ‘okay’. The Driver looks down at a VARIETY OF UNIFORM PATCHES...

SIRENS. The Americans shoulder WEAPONS, pull on HELMETS...

A UKRAINIAN SWAT VAN SCREECHES to a halt outside the theatre –

The Passenger spots its markings – TOSSES the corresponding patches to the Americans, who slap them onto their shoulders.

Ukrainian SWATs pour out of the SWAT van –

The Americans JUMP out of the back of their van, SLIPPING UNNOTICED INTO THE STREAM OF SWATS pouring into the lobby...

SWATs mass at each entrance... the Protagonist watches GAS CANISTERS brought in TO THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. The SWATs pull on GAS MASKS...

A WELL-DRESSED MAN sitting next to a UNIFORMED OFFICIAL looks down into the stalls – people SLUMP, UNCONSCIOUS, IN A WAVE...

He turns to the Official – who motions calm, draws a SIDEARM...

A Terrorist wets a rag in a drinking fountain, ties it around his nose and mouth. Others have WORKMAN’S RESPIRATORS AND FACE MASKS. They COCK THEIR WEAPONS, preparing...

THE SWATS BREACH – POURING into the theatre – exchange GUNFIRE with the TERRORISTS...

RUNNING. Fast but silent...

FOLLOW the four Americans – they hit a junction – hand signals – they SPLIT two ways –

FOLLOW two of them – one of them PEELS OFF up a staircase – FOLLOW the last, the Protagonist – checking each box...

The Protagonist BURSTS in – takes out the Official beside the Well-Dressed Man –

The Well-Dressed Man stares, shocked –

The Well-Dressed Man nods, climbs to his feet...

He hands the Protagonist a numbered ticket.

The battle between SWATs and Terrorists rages... SWATS move down the corridor, checking the boxes one by one...

The Protagonist SMASHES the glass – checks the drop to the stalls, pulls out a black rope, ties it to a column...

As they DROP, Terrorist gunfire rings out – they LAND – hiding amongst the UNCONSCIOUS AUDIENCE. The Well-Dressed Man takes a seat, FEIGNS SLEEP – the Protagonist ROLLS under the seats –

BLAM! Terrorists near the stage open fire – SHOTS ring out – hitting two sleeping audience members, nearby – the Well- Dressed Man TWITCHES – the Protagonist holds his ankle – urging him to keep still –

BLAM! A third sleeping audience member is shot – the Protagonist jumps up, DRAWING THE TERRORISTS’ fire away from the Well-Dressed Man –

The Protagonist races towards two REAL UKRAINIAN SWATS who cover him from the Terrorists – one of them goes down.

The Protagonist takes cover beside the real UKRAINIAN SWAT – WHO IS PLANTING A BOMB UNDER THE SEATS... he gestures to the dead SWAT’s pack... the Protagonist unzips the bag to find a BOMB, COUNTING DOWN IN SYNC WITH THE OTHER BOMB –

The Ukrainian SWAT uses his gun to PROD the Velcro patch on the

Protagonist’s shoulder. It FALLS OFF...

The Protagonist is at a loss... BAM! The Ukrainian SWAT is taken out by another ‘SWAT’ –

‘SWAT’ No friends at dusk, huh?

The Protagonist GRABS the bombs, points at the Well-Dressed Man –

The ‘SWAT’ leads the Well-Dressed Man down a fire exit –

The Protagonist RACES across the lobby, gunfire RINGING OUT – LEAPS over the counter into the COAT-CHECK AREA...

Landing on the floor next to an unconscious coat-check girl. He spots another bomb – ‘4:23’, ‘4:22’... the Protagonist checks the number on the coat-check ticket and efficiently moves across numbered racks until he finds a SPORTS BAG.

He unzips it to find a BLACK METALLIC OBJECT the size of a softball.

He stuffs it into his pack and SCRAMBLES over the counter...

– the Protagonist RUNS, checking numbers on doors... he STOPS at a door, THROWS it open, JUMPS in low –

THREE ‘SWATS’, guns trained, and the Well-Dressed Man. The Protagonist throws a bomb to SWAT 2, then shows the OBJECT to the Well-Dressed Man –

The ‘SWAT’ and the Well-Dressed Man start changing. The Protagonist hands SWAT 3 the object –

The Protagonist nods, STUFFS the bomb in his pack –

The newly dressed ‘TARGET’ steps up –

‘TARGET’ I’m with you – the Ukrainians are expecting a passenger.

The Protagonist and the ‘Target’ race through the SLEEPING AUDIENCE COLLECTING BOMBS – the TIMERS tick down – ‘1:58’, ‘1:57’.

Crouched at a bomb, the Protagonist notices a BULLET HOLE in the side of the chair – a TINY WHIFF OF SMOKE GATHERING...

CLICK – a gun is to his head – he spins around to see a SWAT... ‘0:34’, ‘0:33’... The ‘Target’ has his own gun on the SWAT – A STAND-OFF – all around them, UNCONSCIOUS CIVILIANS...

The Protagonist turns back to the bomb... ‘0:32’, ‘0:31’. At the bullet hole the PUFF OF SMOKE THICKENS... the Protagonist, confused, REACHES towards it... the SWAT COCKS his weapon...

BLAM! With EXPLOSIVE FORCE THE BULLET HOLE DISAPPEARS – A NICK HAS APPEARED IN THE PROTAGONIST’S UNIFORM – he SPINS – the SWAT is SHOT THROUGH THE CHEST AND DROPS... revealing a FIGURE, also in a gas mask and tactical gear...

The Figure TURNS – the Protagonist sees, on the Figure’s pack, a small TALISMAN – a COIN with a hole tied to a zip by ORANGE AND YELLOW THREAD – the Protagonist turns back to grab the bomb –

‘TARGET’ That wasn’t one of us.

The Protagonist GRABS the last bomb: ‘0:03’... he looks up to the boxes, where REAL SWATS EVACUATE THE HIGH OFFICIALS... THE PROTAGONIST LOBS THE BOMBS UP INTO THE BOXES...

The Protagonist and ‘Target’ emerge – an EXPLOSION above them -

INNOCENT CIVILIANS STIR under the EXPLOSION IN THE BOXES –

The van PULLS UP – rear door open – they JUMP INSIDE –

The Protagonist pulls off his mask. BREATHING. The Passenger turns – grabs the ‘Target’s face, SOMETHING WRONG... the Protagonist turns to the Driver – WHO HAS A GUN POINTED AT HIM ...

BLACK SCREEN:

SCREAMING. The Protagonist’s screaming. Close on his eyes – FLICKERING, SWEATING, PLEADING, DEFIANT... and we are –

The Protagonist, tied to a chair, in a windswept rail yard. In front of him, the ‘Target’, also tied to a chair, back to us. The Driver steps back, SWEATING. BLOODY PLIERS in hand.

The Driver gestures at a CLOCK on a table –

The Driver PUSHES the ‘Target’s chair over. The ‘Target’ lands hard on his side on the gravel. Groaning.

The Driver pulls out a KNIFE. Leans in to the Protagonist –

The knife moves towards the Protagonist’s throat...

...then to his collar – which he CUTS –

...pulling out a SILVER CAPSULE. The Protagonist stares.

The Driver TOSSES the pill, WAVES the pliers at the clock –

The Protagonist looks at the clock – ‘5:38’. A FREIGHT TRAIN RUMBLES PAST, CLOSE... As we close in on the clock, THE PROTAGONIST’S SCREAMS ARE DROWNED OUT BY THE FREIGHT TRAIN...

The Driver steps back. The Protagonist breathes heavy, blood dribbling... the Driver follows his gaze to the clock – ‘6:53’ – then checks his watch. Frowns theatrically, picks up the clock, SHAKES it –

The Driver SETS THE HANDS BACK ONE HOUR. The Protagonist watches, DESPAIRING... as the Driver puts the clock back on the table, the Protagonist notices the ‘Target’s FINGERS WIGGLING... in them is a SILVER PILL...

Freight trains rumble past in opposite directions, sound BUILDING... The Driver approaches, bloody pliers in hand –

The Protagonist HURLS himself onto the ‘Target’s hands – face SMASHING – gets the PILL into his mouth – BITES DOWN – DEAFENING TRAIN NOISE...

Arms GRAB at him – HANDS PRY his jaw as he SEIZES, MOUTH FOAMING... the Protagonist’s EYES GLAZE and we –

Black screen.

Supertitle:

TENET

FADE IN:

The Protagonist opens his eyes. A man stands beside his bed. SWAYING gently. This is FAY.

The Protagonist lifts his head and we are –

The Protagonist sees the STEELY OCEAN SWELL...

The Protagonist runs a finger around his mouth. REALIZING.

Fay lets that dissipate. The Protagonist closes his eyes.

The Protagonist stands in the wind, contemplating the horizon.

The Protagonist turns to Fay, confused.

Fay breaks eye contact with the Protagonist. The boat continues to nose into the swell.

The Protagonist is driven away from the boat on a launch, towards the GIANT WHITE TURBINES of the ocean wind farm.

The launch SLIPS amongst them, seeking the ladder of a particular one...

The Protagonist climbs the ladder to a door. He tries it – it’s open. He turns to see the launch move off into the gathering dark. The Protagonist ENTERS the wind turbine.

In the bare space, the Protagonist finds a SPORTS BAG, a COT, a pallet of WATER and PROTEIN BARS. He opens the sports bag to find passports, cash, credit cards and a HI-VIZ VEST.

Under the vest is a small black cylinder. He unscrews the top to find three SILVER SUICIDE PILLS. The Protagonist shakes his head as he tosses them back into the bag.

The Protagonist EATS, DRINKS and EXERCISES by CLIMBING the endless interior ladder of the turbine. The stash of food and water SHRINKS...

The Protagonist does PULL-UPS at the very top of the ladder, FEET DANGLING over the VERTIGINOUS DROP...

The Protagonist is woken by a repeated AIR HORN. He pulls himself off the cot, opens the door to find –

A large CATAMARAN nosed up to the windmill, ladder in place, MAINTENANCE CREW in HI-VIZ VESTS moving on and off the turbine. Other boats service other turbines. The Protagonist pulls on his VEST and CLIMBS down onto the catamaran.

The Protagonist disembarks with the rest of the wind-farm crew. As they file past a car the driver, also in hi-viz, steps out into line, leaving the door open, engine running. The Protagonist gets in. The GPS is already set...

A bland suburban office park. The Protagonist gets out of the car, wearing his hi-viz and carrying a clipboard. Heads inside, passing numerous STAFF coming out...

The Protagonist moves through the lobby unimpeded. Checking the tenant listings he sees – ‘WINDFARM TRANSITIONS – B-2’.

The Protagonist walks up to B-2.

The Protagonist turns to find a brusque young woman. This is BARBARA. He joins his hands, interlacing the fingers...

Using a key card, she ushers him through a door into –

Barbara hands the Protagonist a cup of tea.

Barbara considers the Protagonist. Sips her tea.

Barbara hands the Protagonist a semi-automatic. He reflexively checks the chamber and magazine – EMPTY.

The Protagonist SHRUGS, lifts the empty pistol, sights a target 25m away with several holes in it...

He squeezes the trigger – BAM! – a shot. He is CONFUSED...

The Protagonist checks the clip – THERE IS A ROUND IN IT.

Barbara pulls on PROTECTIVE GLOVES and removes the round from the clip, placing it next to an identical one on a table.

The Protagonist shakes his head. Barbara reaches forward –

One of the rounds FLIES UP INTO HER HAND, FALLING IN REVERSE. The Protagonist is taken aback. Barbara holds the round towards him so he can inspect it –

Barbara places the round on the table, in front of a CAMERA.

He puts on a glove – moves his hand over it, nothing.

The Protagonist reaches out again – it LEAPS UP INTO HIS HAND.

She cues up the recording of what he just did –

She plays it BACKWARDS –

ON THE SCREEN: the round FALLS from his hand.

She PULLS the round towards herself using one finger – the round follows her finger as if MAGNETIZED...

She LAUNCHES it up into her other hand –

Barbara PLAYS with the round in increasingly IMPROBABLE, BEAUTIFUL MOVEMENTS... The round SHOOTS AWAY FROM HER – the Protagonist CATCHES IT...

Barbara smiles, swaps him the round for the pistol. She then places a TRAY COVERED IN SHELL CASINGS beside him.

The Protagonist aims at the target – a shell casing LEAPS into the gun – he FIRES, and a bullet hole near the bullseye VANISHES –

The Protagonist examines the target – no bullet holes.

The Protagonist turns to her...

The Protagonist examines the rounds...

Barbara takes the round from him, and beckons him to follow –

Between tall sets of DRAWERS...

Barbara stops at a drawer. Gestures around herself –

She opens a drawer, revealing a VARIETY OF RUSTED BITS AND PIECES – SCREWS, CRACKED LENSES, METAL RODS, BUTTONS...

The Protagonist reaches out and lets a RUSTED BUCKLE leap into his hand.

The Protagonist looks around at the MULTITUDE of DRAWERS.

The Protagonist walks out of an electronics store, opening a new phone, and slips into the throng. He dials –

Above the bustling street, a HIGH-RISE HOUSE, at least twenty storeys tall, with two large balconies, towers over...

As the Protagonist hangs up, he spots a figure, on the top balcony. A WOMAN IN A SARI, standing high above the city.

The Protagonist enters the quiet ex-colonial establishment. Takes a seat. A BUSINESSMAN sits down next to him.

Neil offers his hand. The Protagonist takes it –

The Protagonist shakes his head.

Neil keeps thinking. Signals a waiter –

The Protagonist stares at Neil. Neil looks up, confused.

Neil raps his knuckles on the table, thinking.

ARMED GUARDS patrol the balconies.

Inside one of the magnificent rooms, a middle-aged Indian man mixes drinks. This is SANJAY SINGH.

Neil and the Protagonist race across the roof carrying a sports bag. Neil pulls out a WINCH, the Protagonist pulls out a large CATAPULT, loops it around two pipes, glancing down into the WALLED YARD at the foot of the high-rise house.

Neil BOLTS the winch to the roof, the Protagonist sights the upper balcony of the high-rise house, FIRES a ball with a line up and over the balcony railing...

The Protagonist and Neil lie next to each other as the WINCH RUNS, TENSIONING THEIR ELASTIC LINES... they LAUNCH themselves, FLYING UP to land against the side of the building –

They RUN SILENTLY UP THE BUILDING, onto the UPPER TERRACES, SHOOTING TWO GUARDS with silenced pistols...

Sanjay Singh hands a drink to the Woman in the sari. They move out onto the balcony –

The Protagonist surprises Sanjay, holds him at gunpoint –

The Woman pushes a RED BUTTON on the wall –

An alarm buzzes, the Security Guards are frozen, Neil has a gun on them, a finger to his lips...

Sanjay tries to turn to see the Protagonist –

The Protagonist pushes his head back around with the gun –

He COCKS his weapon – puts the gun to Sanjay’s head –

The Protagonist GLANCES at the Woman... whose fingers are casually INTERTWINED. The Protagonist brings his free hand up to hold the gun in both hands, fingers INTERLACED...

The Protagonist releases him.

Overlooking the extraordinary bustle of the city. Sanjay has left. His wife hands the Protagonist his drink –

She reaches up to touch his cheek.

SIRENS. BANGS! Priya looks over to see POLICE CARS arriving far below, in the WALLED YARD at the foot of her house...

The Protagonist pulls a CLIP and cord from his harness –

Priya watches him clip onto the balcony rail. Neil FLIES PAST, dropping from the balcony above.

The Protagonist JUMPS, SLOWING as he DROPS BEHIND THE WALL, OUT OF REACH OF THE POLICE, into a MARKET STREET and RELEASES his harness – disappearing into the crowd...

The Protagonist walks down the busy Mall, and up the steps...

The Protagonist enters, is approached by a STEWARD.

The Protagonist is shown to a table where a distinguished middle-aged man is already eating. CROSBY.

Crosby smiles at the Protagonist’s handling of the Steward.

Crosby slides a SHOPPING BAG over to the Protagonist’s feet. The Protagonist looks inside: a small FRAMED DRAWING.

Crosby looks the Protagonist over –

The Protagonist rises, taking the credit card and the bag.

The waiter arrives, bearing food, supervised by the Steward.

The Protagonist smiles at Crosby, who nods goodbye.

Mothers stand at the railings waiting for their kids. One of them, a smart YOUNG WOMAN, stands a little apart from the group. SCHOOLKIDS pile out of the school...

The Protagonist watches from across the road as the Young Woman SPOTS her son. She offers him her hand, but he reaches up to take his NANNY’S. She moves her hand to pick something off his jumper before he is put into the back of a BLACK RANGE ROVER with tinted windows.

The Protagonist watches the Young Woman wave at the departing car carrying her child. Utterly alone.

A BENTLEY pulls up – a DOORMAN opens the rear door, the Protagonist emerges, IMMACULATELY TAILORED, holding a beautiful leather briefcase.

The Protagonist is approached by a REPRESENTATIVE –

The Protagonist admires the paintings on the walls. The door opens and the Young Woman from the school gates comes in, dressed for business. This is KAT BARTON. She looks bemused, but gives him a genuine and friendly smile –

The Protagonist opens his briefcase...

Offers the drawing to her...

She takes it, suddenly interested...

She lays the drawing on the table and grabs a loupe –

She is bent over the table, peering through the loupe.

The Protagonist studies her reaction as he –

She steps back. Something about the drawing BOTHERS her...

Kat rises and turns to face the Protagonist. Cold.

The Protagonist and Kat sit at a corner table.

Kat looks the Protagonist up and down...

Kat sips her wine. Wanting to talk. Knowing she shouldn’t.

INSERT CUT: a CRYSTAL BOWL of RASPBERRIES SMASHES onto the polished wood of a yacht’s deck –

INSERT CUT: Kat and Max on a launch – Kat follows Max’s gaze to see a FEMALE FIGURE SLIDE into the water...

The Protagonist considers this.

Kat looks at the Protagonist. Not daring to hope.

A LARGE, WELL-DRESSED THUG sits down at the table. He takes a green bean from the Protagonist’s plate and chews it vacantly. This is VOLKOV. The Protagonist looks at Kat –

He takes her hand, pulls her forward to kiss her cheek.

A Thug puts a MEATY HAND on the Protagonist’s shoulder.

She leaves, BREEZING out through the kitchen... at Volkov’s nod, two Thugs escort the Protagonist from his chair, heading towards the kitchen – a WAITER moves to object – Volkov, eating the Protagonist’s leftovers, pulls the Waiter up short, shaking his head.

Kat exits the restaurant, DISTRAUGHT, walking past a waiting THUG, then sliding into the back seat of a MERCEDES.

The driver is a GAUNT RUSSIAN.

The Gaunt Russian does not react, but watches through the rear-view mirror as a THUG enters the kitchen –

The Protagonist enters the kitchen, followed by the two thugs. CHEFS and BUSBOYS retreat as the other thug approaches...

Kat turns from the window –

The Protagonist JACKKNIFES HIS LOWER LEG UP into the crotch of the thug behind him – SPINS him into the Thug next to him – POTS and Pans flying –

Volkov wipes sauce with bread, enjoying noises from the kitchen...

The Third Thug SWINGS – the Protagonist DODGES, takes the blow on the shoulder – SLAMS his head into the Third Thug’s neck, leaving him GASPING – the Protagonist GRABS the Third Thug, RACING for the WINDOW...

Kat FLINCHES as, with a CRASH of plates, a body TUMBLES down the stairs...

Then she sees something else... the Protagonist exits.

The Protagonist brushes himself clean, SPOTS the Mercedes, starts moving towards it –

The Gaunt Russian SCRAMBLES to get the car moving. Kat looks back at the Protagonist as the car ROARS away...

Kat is crouched, talking to her son, MAX. The Nanny hovers –

Max looks up at the Nanny. Kat hugs him, tight. The Nanny TAPS Kat on the shoulder. Kat smiles at her son, tears in her eyes, as the car pulls away. She pulls out her phone, dials... hears a RINGTONE behind her –

The Protagonist is there.

INSERT CUT: a Rotas car drives across an airport apron, and down a ramp...

...into a SLEEK facility – the OSLO FREEPORT – as a STAFF MEMBER stands ready to greet a new CLIENT...

The client is NEIL... he takes in the security arrangements...

The Protagonist is standing on the roof of the Oslo Opera House, briefing Neil...

We go back to Kat, on the street, briefing the Protagonist...

Then back to the Protagonist briefing Neil...

Back to Kat –

Back to Oslo –

Back to Kat –

Kat nods.

A STAFF MEMBER brings Neil into a LUXURIOUS GALLERY –

Then through doors into an ANGLED INNER CORRIDOR...

They arrive at a door in the corridor. The Staff Member uses his thumb to unlock a door –

Neil checks the locks as the Staff Member opens the door into –

A VAST SHIPPING AREA filled with SHIPPING CONTAINERS –

Neil notices ROTAS containers marked for delivery to TALLINN.

Neil is shown back into one of the vaults...

The Protagonist and Neil walk through the terminal.

The Protagonist and Neil look across the tarmac to the freeport structure.

The Protagonist notices Neil start to smile...

The Protagonist looks at Neil in disbelief.

They approach a MAN sitting on a harbour-front bench.

Neil takes LUNGFULS of air, hyperventilating – Mahir starts a stopwatch. The Protagonist studies some plans...

Neil runs out of air. Mahir checks his watch.

The Protagonist starts BREATHING HARD...

The Protagonist and Neil, carrying BRIEFCASES, head inside.

Two WORKERS (Mahir and his associate, ROHAN) back up a MEAL TRUCK to a TRANSPORT PLANE. They LIFT the cargo until it is level with the front side door...

The Protagonist follows Neil through security. Their briefcases are examined, finding FRAMED DOCUMENTS...

Mahir and Rohan carry crew meals through the door and into the galley, where they stack them into the catering units, supervised by a GUARD...

The Staff Member brings Neil an espresso. The Protagonist subtly checks his watch...

Mahir points past the Guard –

The Guard turns – Mahir GRABS him from behind, Rohan stuffs a COTTON PAD over the Guard’s face, rendering him unconscious. They ROLL him into the catering-truck lift... Mahir pops out and signals ANOTHER GUARD...

THREE GUARDS have been dumped into the truck lift – Rohan sends it DOWN, SEALS the plane door. Mahir approaches the cockpit as the PILOTS perform checks – SHOWS THEM HIS GUN...

The Staff Member leads Neil and the Protagonist into the vaults...

At gunpoint, the Pilots nervously pull back from the hangar. Rohan checks the stacks of GOLD BARS secured in the rear.

The plane is TOWED back onto the taxiway and lifts its engines, easing forward...

Rohan SLASHES the restraining straps – CROUCHES behind the pile of gold – pulls out a GRENADE – GRABS the nearest gold bar and STUFFS it into his waistband before PULLING THE PIN...

The Staff Member shows Neil and the Protagonist into a vault. Neil puts down his briefcase – pulls out the framed documents.

The transport plane BARRELS down the taxiway...

Rohan TOSSES the grenade behind the gold at the tail of the plane and DUCKS as it BLOWS –

BLASTING a hole in the rear of the plane... GOLD BARS POUR OUT, CLATTERING ACROSS THE TARMAC...

Hearing the distant explosion, the Protagonist and Neil start PACKING AIR... the Staff Member stares at them, quizzical –

Mahir forces the Pilots from their seats –

The INFLATABLE SLIDE BURSTS OPEN, DRAGGING on the asphalt, as the Pilots roll onto it, SCRAMBLING DOWN to the ground, ROLLING AWAY from the giant plane...

Mahir TURNS the stick HARD LEFT, AIMING AT THE REAR WALL OF THE FREEPORT –

Rohan lowers a ladder behind the forward landing gear – he and Mahir climb down –

Mahir and Rohan jump down onto the asphalt, racing back between the wheels as the giant plane SMASHES INTO THE BRICK WALL OF THE FREEPORT, ERUPTING IN A MASSIVE EXPLOSION...

The vault is ROCKED by the explosion – ALARMS SCREAM – DOORS START CLOSING – Neil looks, panicked, at the Staff Member –

The Staff Member BOLTS – PUSHING PAST THEM – they take a last gulp of air – GAS HISSES IN. They pull apart the frames of the documents, BREAKING THEM INTO LOCK-PICKING APPARATUS – lockpicks, small crowbar – they go to work on the INNER DOOR, PRYING open a panel – HOT-WIRING it – the door SLIDES UP –

They BURST into the corridor, GASPING – the door SLAMS DOWN behind them – they HUSTLE down to the next vault door – get to work. The door opens, they GULP AIR, then RACE inside –

– round the corner past RACKS, CRATES, some BROKEN – stop at the next door, the Protagonist picks the lock – his PICK BREAKS – Neil BOLTS back to where they entered – the Protagonist STRUGGLES, pulling out pieces of the pick – Neil gets to the first door –

NO HANDLE – the Protagonist uses a different tool – Neil SMASHES the door, full-blown PANIC – he looks to the end of the vault where the ROLLER DOOR is BROKEN at the bottom, halide gas HISSING OUT –

Neil races towards it – the Protagonist gets his door OPEN – Neil STUMBLES past – the Protagonist DRAGS him through the door –

They lie GASPING. Neil hears something, looks around –

The Protagonist is up, moving down the corridor...

They arrive at two doors, side by side: the Rotas vault. They each work on a door. Neil’s OPENS –

The Protagonist works his door... nothing.

Neil leans over, hits ‘ENTER’, the door OPENS.

The Protagonist enters a room, one side of which is a LONG GLASS WINDOW. Neil is on the other side of the glass, in an IDENTICAL ROOM. There are BULLET HOLES in the glass. At the end of each room is a tube, like a sealed in REVOLVING DOOR. The Protagonist’s feet crunch BROKEN GLASS...

Neil examines BULLET HOLES in the wall opposite the glass. WISPS of SMOKE gather near the holes – Neil reaches up –

The Protagonist sees a STRIPPED AUTOMATIC PISTOL on the floor. He picks it up, thinking –

Neil looks at the Protagonist, quizzical – A LOUD HUM STARTS UP from the revolving door... the Protagonist looks down – MOVEMENT beneath his feet – the DEBRIS – SMOKE GATHERS – the revolving doors ROTATE, OPENING – a BLACK-CLAD FIGURE in a GAS MASK LEAPS BACKWARDS from the tube – reaching behind itself to GRAB the stripped automatic in the Protagonist’s hand –

On Neil’s side an identical BLACK-CLAD FIGURE LEAPS out FORWARDS – knocks Neil over, moving for the vault door –

A SLIDE jumps into the Backwards Figure’s hand – he REASSEMBLES the gun in the Protagonist’s hand – a MAGAZINE jumping up to LOAD IT – BLAM!

A bullet is SUCKED OUT OF THE WALL – THROUGH THE GLASS – ‘HEALING’ THE BULLET HOLES – the Protagonist STRUGGLES with the Backwards Figure – whose REVERSE MOVEMENTS seem ALIEN and IMPOSSIBLE –

Neil gives chase – RACING out of the vault door –

The Backwards Figure pulls the Protagonist sideways, lining up his head with the next bullet hole – BLAM! GLASS FLIES UP as the shot JUST MISSES the Protagonist’s head –

Neil CHASES the Forwards Figure down the corridor –

The Protagonist STRUGGLES – the Backwards Figure PUSHES him towards the next bullet hole, STRANGE REVERSE GROANING building in its throat, behind the black gas mask, the GROAN PEAKING AS the Protagonist takes his PICK and STABS the Backwards Figure in the arm and SMACKS the Figure’s gun out of its hand – it BOUNCES out the door –

The Figure RISES into the Protagonist’s arms – PULLS him backwards – we can’t tell if it’s PUSHING or the Protagonist is PULLING as they move backwards through the door –

The Figure PUSHES/PULLS the Protagonist down the corridor –

Neil RACES around a corner, GRABS the Figure’s MASK, which COMES OFF – he looks, SURPRISED, at the Figure’s face, WHICH WE CANNOT SEE, then TURNS, RACING back the way he came...

The Protagonist and the Backwards Figure struggle into –

They SMASH into the racks and crates – the Protagonist GRABS the gun – raises it to the Figure’s head –

The Protagonist freezes – Neil steps up, DESPERATE –

The Protagonist THROWS the Figure to the ground –

The Protagonist tries to rip off the gas mask, but it is strapped tight – the REVERSE KEENING gets LOUDER and LOUDER. The Protagonist STEPS onto the Figure’s injured arm...

The Figure’s reverse screaming gets louder – the Protagonist KICKS its arm, HARD, AGAIN AND AGAIN –

A BOOM! from outside – AIR starts BLOWING ACROSS the Backwards Figure, SUCKING underneath the broken roller door – the Backwards Figure SLIDES impossibly across the floor and underneath the door which SLAMS shut, unbroken behind him.

The Protagonist and Neil look at each other...

One of the plane’s JET ENGINES has come loose, STILL THRUSTING, SWINGING AROUND, wreaking HAVOC for the EMERGENCY SERVICES – an AMBULANCE SKIDS SIDEWAYS, avoiding the THRUST...

Mahir and Rohan stand at a distance, watching the MAYHEM along with DOZENS of other UNIFORMED AIRPORT WORKERS...

EMTS race in past the Staff Member...

Neil moves to the other door – works the lock – SIRENS sound –

The door opens – they slip into the outer vault –

They reassemble the document frames, then LIE DOWN, ‘unconscious’ – EMERGENCY SERVICES BURSTS IN...

Neil hangs up his phone –

The Protagonist looks at Neil.

The Protagonist boards, approaching Priya at the rail.

Priya gestures at the paper. A headline: ‘OSLO GOLD FREIGHT CRASH – TERRORISM? ROBBERY? BOTH?’

The Protagonist nods.

They walk, BODYGUARDS at a discreet distance.

Priya thinks. Looks at the Protagonist. Deciding.

Priya looks up the road at the cars STREAMING past...

The Protagonist leaves the tourists behind, heading down a leafy path to emerge at a terrace overlooking the sea. Kat stands there, alone. The Protagonist falls in beside her.

The Protagonist and Kat look out at an enormous yacht.

She nods at Volkov, holding the launch’s line.

The Protagonist nods at Volkov as they walk past.

The Protagonist GUNS his boat hard, carving a GLITTERING PATH across the calm harbour. Kat sits, enjoying the speed.

The Protagonist pulls up alongside the yacht, CREW MEMBERS SCRAMBLE, unaccustomed to unauthorized approaches. The Protagonist follows Kat’s gaze to a FIGURE above, but the sun is behind it. Kat steps onto the yacht.

The Protagonist gives the figure a JAUNTY SALUTE. No response. The Protagonist ZIPS back towards shore, passing the yacht’s launch. He waves at Volkov.

Follow Kat into the enormous lounge. She drops her bags –

She turns. A middle-aged man with cold eyes and a thin beard stands in the doorway. THIS IS SATOR.

He turns, walks away. She watches him leave.

The Protagonist walks towards a table where Sator, holding court, attacks some crabs. Volkov stops the Protagonist and FRISKS him, in full view of the diners.

Without looking, Sator gestures at a seat, Volkov lets the Protagonist pass. He sits.

The Protagonist glances up at Kat, opposite, chatting.

A glance from Sator between buttery mouthfuls of crab.

Sator returns a toast from a grinning guest. Reaches a greasy palm to the Protagonist’s cheek, as if in friendliness...

Sator signals Volkov – Kat glances over as Volkov RISES –

At this, Sator pauses. Waves off Volkov.

Kat, relieved, watches the Protagonist leave.

Kat enters, dressed in sailing gear. Sator is already seated, similarly dressed, reading his phone, with a cup of coffee.

A SERVANT places a plate with a silver cover in front of Kat, then pours her coffee.

Sator looks at her.

Sator barely nods at the servant, who pulls off the lid...

On the plate, instead of breakfast, is a small drawing. A ‘Rubens’. Kat freezes.

Kat looks up at him, not knowing what to say or do.

The Protagonist stands on the dock, dressed for sailing, watching the launch approach...

As he gets on, Kat ignores him. Sator enjoys this.

The Protagonist tries to catch Kat’s eye, but she will not look his way.

Sator hands the Protagonist a HARNESS and a HELMET... he looks at them, taken aback, then looks ahead – towards TWO GRAPHITE DARK, HIGHEST TECH AMERICA’S CUP SAILING YACHTS, trimmed and ready.

Kat gets on, followed by Sator and the Protagonist. The rigging crew departs. Kat checks the sheets and winches. Sator indicates the harness.

Sator gestures at Kat.

The boats FLY, SKIMMING THE WATER ON THEIR HYDROFOILS... Sator and the Protagonist are next to each other, standing on one pontoon, LEANING OUT IN THEIR HARNESSES... Kat is at the wheel, concentrating...

Kat SWINGS the boat into the wind, SAIL FLAPPING FURIOUSLY as the wind catches it on the other side, and Sator and the Protagonist DUCK under the boom, RACING to the other side, their harnesses SNAPPING TAUT as they lean out...

Kat works the wheel, tracking the other boat. Her look is one of BOTTLED RAGE...

Sator holds the Protagonist’s gaze...

The Protagonist turns – Kat leans in to Sator –

– and YANKS HIS QUICK-RELEASE – he FLIES off the boat, SMASHING HEAD-FIRST into the waves –

The Protagonist sees Sator FACE-DOWN, UNCONSCIOUS – he UNCLIPS, JUMPS to the wheel, SPINNING the boat OFF THE WIND –

The Protagonist STEERS the boat across the wind, SNAPPING THE BOOM ACROSS, ALMOST LOSING THE MAST –

He RELEASES THE SHEETS, SPILLING WIND, LOSING SPEED – as they pass Sator he DIVES into the water – GRABS the oligarch – PULLS his face out of the water... Sator starts COUGHING...

The Protagonist dries himself – the door opens – Kat BURSTS in –

She is on him, smashing her fists into his chest –

She looks bemused. A KNOCK at the door – she hides behind it –

The Protagonist nods – pushes the door – Volkov stops it –

Volkov lets the door shut. The Protagonist turns to Kat –

The Protagonist looks at Kat. Sighs.

She looks into the Protagonist’s eyes. Assessing.

He pulls a gun from his bag. Offers it to her.

She takes it – lets it point at him.

The Protagonist is shown in. Sator is sitting behind his desk. A DOCTOR is taking his blood pressure.

Sator RIPS the cuff off his arm, sending the doctor out – checks a fitness tracker on his wrist.

Sator pours them both tumblers of vodka.

Sator fixes his black gaze on the Protagonist.

A dangerous beat. Then Sator GRINS –

Sator sips his drink. Looks the Protagonist in the eye.

INSERT CUT: IN A DESOLATE STREET, SNOW FALLS ON A HAZMAT- SUITED SCAVENGER – A YOUNG SATOR WALKING IN FRONT OF A MASSIVE MINING MACHINE, CARRYING A GIANT CROWBAR AND A GEIGER COUNTER...

INSERT CUT: YOUNG SATOR SPOTS THE MACHINE UNEARTHING A LARGE METAL CAPSULE. A FELLOW WORKER SEES THE SAME THING...

INSERT CUT: YOUNG SATOR OPENS THE CAPSULE. HE LIFTS OUT SOME PAPERS, WHICH HAVE HIS NAME ON THEM, REVEALING GOLD BARS UNDERNEATH. THE FELLOW WORKER LEANS IN, STUDYING THE GOLD. THEY MAKE EYE CONTACT... SATOR STRIKES THE FELLOW WORKER WITH HIS CROWBAR, KILLING HIM...

Sator downs his vodka.

Kat slips the gun under her mattress, feels the lump – pulls it out – moves to the desk, puts it in her jewellery case – hearing a noise she jumps onto the bed, picks up a book. The door opens. Sator. He locks the door.

He removes a DIAMOND CUFFLINK...

Kat starts to get off the bed –

Sator shifts to lean on the desk, cutting her off from the jewellery box. She sits back down. He removes his belt...

Sator slips the cufflink through a belt hole...

Sator tests the diamond studded belt against his palm.

He tosses her a pillow.

Sator moves towards her – she looks at the jewellery box on the desk – no way around him – Sator looks down at her. She looks up at his cold eyes...

Sator shrugs, wraps the belt a turn around his fist...

A KNOCK at the door.

But he hears a RUMBLING... Sator, without a word, exits –

Sator GRABS binoculars from one of his men, peering out –

A helicopter EMERGES from the darkness, THUNDERING IN...

The Protagonist listens to the incoming chopper – pulls on a black Windbreaker – quietly opens his door...

The Protagonist makes his way, looking for an exit...

The chopper descends to the landing pad – rotors turning as Sator signals his men to head in...

The Protagonist is on a roof overlooking the helipad...

He watches Sator’s men remove a LARGE, GRUBBY CAPSULE and take it below as the chopper LIFTS OFF...

The Protagonist makes his way through the storage area. Peering through a window, he sees –

Crew gathered around the capsule. Sator enters, wipes dirt from the latches and opens it. Sator puts his hand over the open capsule, letting small, flat GOLD BARS leap from the capsule into his hand... he looks up, expectantly...

The Crew SHOVES a CREW MEMBER forwards, onto his knees... eyes downcast, he reaches behind – pulls a gold bar from his rear pocket. He offers it to Sator with TREMBLING hands.

Sator takes it, eyes never leaving the Crew Member... who finally, tentatively looks up –

BAM! Sator JABS him in the mouth with the gold bar, then SMASHES him over the head –

The Protagonist is REPULSED by what he sees...

Sator steps back, breathless, from the Small Crew Member, who lies motionless on the ground.

As Sator raises his wrist to check his fitness tracker, BLOOD drips from the gold bar in his hand.

The Protagonist SENSES, TURNS – CRACK! Volkov smashes his jaw – KICKS him in the ribs – pistol-whips him...

The Protagonist, bleeding, is SHOVED into the room –

Sator looks at the Protagonist, who nods at the capsule –

Sator gestures to his men – they lift the capsule. The Protagonist spots DRIED MUD from the latches on the table...

The Protagonist struggles to his feet.

Sator TOSSES the Protagonist the BLOODY GOLD BAR – the Protagonist FUMBLES it onto the table. Volkov SNEERS –

The Protagonist, looking Volkov in the eye, picks up the gold bar, scooping DRIED MUD into his hand, unseen.

The Protagonist walks the crowded streets with Neil.

The Protagonist looks back where they came. Then up ahead.

The Protagonist looks around at the congestion.

Neil and the Protagonist hop a tram. The Protagonist studies the journey along the multi-lane road out of town.

Neil nods.

Neil looks up, interested.

Kat sits beside Sator in the back, staring out the window.

The MERCEDES pulls into the Tallinn Freeport. Several BODYGUARDS emerge, Sator heads inside. Kat follows, looking through a metal fence – an AUDI sits there, idling. Its driver is wearing an OXYGEN MASK...

Kat enters. Sator is at a table covered in WEAPONS.

He picks up a MACHINE GUN.

She stares at the weaponry as if she’s never seen anything like it before...

Sator checks his watch. Nods at Volkov. Turns to Kat.

Sator SLAMS the machine gun back down on the table. Kat FLINCHES. Sator TURNS, enraged...

Sator moves towards her – Kat pulls out a gun.

A LARGE UNMARKED TRUCK, with an ESCORT FRONT AND BACK, makes its stop and-start way through the downtown traffic.

The Protagonist and Neil watch the convoy cross an intersection, then pull forward, squeezing through traffic to get ahead. Neil raises a walkie-talkie –

The GREEN DRIVER nods at the GREEN CO-PILOT who holds the radio.

He puts the radio down and pulls out a LARGE AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

The Protagonist checks his watch – Neil speaks into the radio –

RED DRIVER and RED CO-PILOT are dressed as FIREFIGHTERS.

The BMW pulls out, running behind the nuclear convoy. As the convoy passes the cross street where the green truck, a FLATBED TRUCK, is sitting, it pulls out beside them, settling in to the right of the convoy.

Sator steps towards Kat –

She lifts the gun, intent –

Sator edges towards Kat...

He casually GESTURES at her –

He SMACKS the gun out of her hands – PUNCHES her – she DROPS –

With a primal, animal viciousness, Sator SPITS at Kat.

Sator KICKS her once, in the side.

He motions to Volkov, who, with a guard, lifts Kat and carries her towards the door. Sator puts an earpiece in his ear...

Volkov nods, leaving – Sator walks through a large door.

As the door shuts behind him, he walks towards a RED DOOR WITH A SMALL PORTHOLE, finding a spot in the shadows nearby...

The BMW watches the yellow truck, a BROADCAST TRUCK, which pulls out just ahead of the nuclear convoy... the Protagonist looks back through the BMW’s side mirror, which is CRACKED...

The BMW sees the blue truck, a WRECKER, which pulls out onto the larger street, just behind the convoy, which is now SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES by the coloured trucks.

Volkov follows the convoy...

Sator sits in the shadows, listening intently...

The BMW ZIPS ahead, weaving through traffic, pulls alongside the fire truck.

The Protagonist, DRESSED AS A FIREFIGHTER, jumps out of the BMW and grabs onto the side of the fire truck, BANGING the side to signal the driver. The fire truck pulls out onto the three-lane highway...

The fire truck pulls alongside the nuclear convoy, slotting in on the left, so that the convoy is now SURROUNDED... the Protagonist CLIMBS onto the roof beside the ladder, puts on a pair of heavy-duty gloves, pulls a diagonal backpack around onto his front, checking his tools.

Blue Co-pilot and Yellow Co-pilot COUNT DOWN in unison –

Blue truck, behind the convoy, GUNS THE ACCELERATOR, as yellow truck, in front of the convoy, SLAMS ON THE BRAKES...

The two SUVS are ACCORDIONED against the nuclear truck, then CARRIED FORWARD WITH THE NUCLEAR TRUCK as the coloured trucks CLOSE FORMATION and PULL FORWARD, maintaining pace –

The YELLOW CO-PILOT in the broadcast truck sends out STATIC –

The SECURITY DRIVER is trying the radio – STATIC...

A POLICE OPERATOR is frowning, trying the radio. He calls to his SUPERVISOR –

The Police Operator checks his screen – NODS...

TYRES HOWLING, the convoy GRINDS forward – Blue Co-pilot tosses a DYE PACK onto the windshield of the SUV – it BLASTS across the glass, obscuring the view – Yellow Co-pilot does the same in the front – the Guards are now BLIND, CANNOT OPEN THEIR DOORS OR SHOOT OUT THROUGH THE BULLET-PROOF VEHICLES...

The Protagonist CLIMBS ONTO THE LADDER, lying on top...

Inside, the Red Co-pilot operates the ladder controls...

The ladder SWINGS OUT AT NINETY DEGREES, hanging the Protagonist DIRECTLY OVER THE NUCLEAR TRUCK... he PULLS a frame from his pack, unfolds it – fixes it to the roof. The ladder SWINGS him away – the frame EXPLODES – he SWINGS back through the smoke to find an OPENING and climbs into –

The Protagonist lands, gets his bearings, finds the SAFE. He reaches into his pack...

An Estonian POLICE CAR pulls up behind the fire truck – the POLICEMEN spot SPARKS from the dragging bumper of the SUV – the Policeman Passenger tries his radio... STATIC...

The Protagonist affixes a CHARGE to the safe – he runs a wire, pushing back into the farthest corner – BLASTS the door open –

Watching the Police through his mirror, Red Passenger rolls down his window and props his ASSAULT RIFLE on the sill...

The Protagonist reaches into the safe... PULLS OUT an ORANGE PLASTIC CASE... reaches up to climb through the roof...

The Protagonist, orange case in hand, CLIMBS onto the ladder – Red Passenger SWINGS his rear-opening door out and SHOOTS OUT the engine block of the police car which DROPS BACK as –

The fire-truck ladder SWINGS the Protagonist back onto the fire truck – he climbs down onto the side – the BMW pulls alongside – he JUMPS into the car, which SPEEDS away...

Neil, driving, glances at the orange case –

The Protagonist opens the latches, flips open the lid... revealing the BLACK METAL SHAPE the size of a softball.

Neil looks back at the Protagonist. Serious.

The Protagonist looks around at the surrounding traffic...

Neil clicks on the radio – EMPHATIC GIBBERISH...

Up ahead, an Audi is weaving through traffic, towards them, BACKWARDS... Neil STARES...

The BACKWARDS-RUNNING AUDI flies at them, CLIPPING the wing mirror, ‘HEALING’ its crack. Behind them it SPINS AROUND, to CHASE them, still running BACKWARDS...

The BMW DODGES around traffic, trying to lose the backwards Audi, which pulls up to the back bumper – then ALONGSIDE – in the back is Sator, black eyes peering over a RESPIRATOR, a gun to Kat’s head. She is BOUND and GAGGED, eyes TERRIFIED –

Sator rolls the rear window down, holds up his hand, FINGERS EXTENDED. He COCKS the gun at Kat’s head then starts COUNTING DOWN on his fingers... the Protagonist looks down at the BLACK METAL SHAPE in the case...

The Protagonist LIFTS the closed case, LOWERS the window...

Sator is down to TWO FINGERS... Ahead of them in the road, the Protagonist sees a CRASHED, SMOKING, UPSIDE-DOWN SAAB...

Both cars race towards the crashed Saab, which starts SHAKING as they approach – as they pass, THE CRASHED SAAB ROLLS VIOLENTLY OVER AND OVER between them until it is on its wheels, RACING BACKWARDS ahead of them, UNDAMAGED –

Neil regains his line, looks over at Sator who holds up his LAST FINGER... the Protagonist looks ahead to the Saab, STRUCK BY AN IDEA... the Protagonist looks at Sator –

Then TOSSES the orange case at him –

The Saab brakes, CUTTING BETWEEN THE TWO CARS...

THE ORANGE CASE GLANCES OFF ITS WINDSHIELD, INTO SATOR’S HANDS...

A forwards-driving Mercedes pulls up alongside the backwards- driving Audi. Sator opens the rear door – he and the Audi driver climb BACKWARDS into the Mercedes – LEAVING KAT IN THE ACCELERATING BACKWARDS AUDI – the Mercedes DROPS FAR BEHIND the BMW, Neil WATCHES –

Neil looks forward to the backwards Audi, SPEEDING AWAY –

NO ONE IS AT THE WHEEL as the car continues to accelerate – Kat lies in the back, breathing, groaning, but unconscious...

The Protagonist stares ahead at the backwards Audi –

Neil looks back at the receding Mercedes, followed by the BACKWARDS SAAB... he turns – RACING to pull alongside the runaway backwards Audi, the Protagonist OPENS his door...

– Ahead, a LOGJAM of traffic...

The Protagonist FUMBLES to open the Audi door.

In the back, Kat swings her bound legs around –

– The LOGJAM of cars and buses LOOMS CLOSER... The Protagonist OPENS the Audi door, but his own door hits it and SLAMS IT CLOSED AGAIN...

– The LOGJAM is DANGEROUSLY CLOSE...

The Protagonist OPENS it again, Kat JAMS it open with her feet – the Protagonist CLIMBS ACROSS and PUSHES THE BRAKE WITH HIS HAND...

The Audi SKIDS to a halt, the BMW ZOOMING PAST...

The Protagonist starts to untie Kat, fumbling with his radio –

The BMW SKIDS to a halt, Neil JUMPS OUT – a CAR SKIDS to a halt between the BMW and the Audi – BLAM, BLAM! Neil DUCKS, avoiding GUNFIRE –

SMASH!!! The Protagonist and Kat are THROWN LIKE RAG DOLLS across the car – the Mercedes has SWIPED the nose of the Audi –

Volkov lays down COVER FIRE, pinning Neil as Sator’s men descend on the CRASHED Audi and pull the PROTAGONIST out of the car – shoving him around the back of the Mercedes. Kat is pulled from the wreck and put into the Mercedes –

As they put the Protagonist INTO THE TRUNK, he sees Sator MOVING BACKWARDS behind the line of cars, from the BMW...

The TRUNK OPENS – the Protagonist is PULLED OUT. Marched towards an entrance, he sees, through a steel fence dividing the yard in two, SATOR, IN RESPIRATOR, WALKING BACKWARDS, PULLING KAT, FORWARDS, TOWARDS A DIFFERENT ENTRANCE...

The Protagonist passes a stack of SHIPPING CONTAINERS, several of which are marked OSLO FREEPORT...

The Protagonist is taken past the table of weapons, through a large door, and through RED DOORS with a PORTHOLE...

Into A LONG CHAMBER DIVIDED IN TWO BY A GLASS WINDOW – A MUCH BIGGER VERSION OF THE ROTAS VAULT. The Russians push the Protagonist into a chair. This side is lit by RED LIGHT.

On the other side of the glass, lit by BLUE LIGHT, Sator ‘ENTERS’ BACKWARDS, ‘PULLING’ Kat, who is now in a respirator. Sator ‘SHOVES’ her hard into a chair, removes his own respirator, ‘FLIPPING’ it up onto a hook on the wall.

The Protagonist looks into Kat’s frightened eyes... between them, embedded in a whirl of cracked glass, is a BULLET... Sator TURNS to meet the Protagonist’s gaze – his movements have the surreal edge of backwards motion as he places his GUN AGAINST KAT’S HEAD and pulls out his phone...

He holds his PHONE up and plays a recording IN REVERSE –

Sator moves the phone to his lips, SPEAKING IN REVERSE... the Protagonist stares at him, bemused.

Sator listens to this played backwards...

The Protagonist looks at Kat, who is TERRIFIED –

– then at Sator –

The Protagonist looks at the bullet hole in the glass – WISPS OF SMOKE are gathering...

A FAINT TRICKLE of glass dust rises to where the bullet is lodged in the window...

Sator LIFTS Kat – PUSHES her up against the glass...

The SMOKE COALESCES as BANG! The bullet RIPS THROUGH KAT’S SIDE on its inevitable journey to Sator’s gun. Kat SCREAMS –

He holds up a finger – Kat is SCREAMING –

Kat’s screams subside to moans as she PASSES OUT...

The door OPENS behind the Protagonist –

The Protagonist spins around – Sator, BEHIND HIM, SMASHES his gun into the Protagonist’s cheek – THIS SATOR IS FORWARDS –

Sator HITS him again – the Protagonist falls near the glass – looks up through the glass to see ‘backwards’ Sator, on the blue side, staring at him dispassionately...

Forwards Sator looks through the window at his inverse self – then turns back to the Protagonist –

Sator puts his GUN to the Protagonist’s forehead –

Sator COCKS his weapon – BLAMBLAMBLAM! – the double doors behind the Protagonist SMASH open – PARAMILITARIES BURST IN, GUNS BLAZING – the two guards are SHOT – Sator JUMPS FOR THE VAULT – HITS A BUTTON –

On the other side of the glass, INVERTED SATOR runs backwards towards the other vault door –

BOTH SATORS JUMP INSIDE AND ARE GONE –

A Paramilitary SERGEANT enters, gun drawn –

The Protagonist looks at the empty vault –

Sator runs out of the turnstile – into the blue side of the room – on the other side he sees the paramilitary AMBUSH IN REVERSE... for a few seconds he watches his older self interrogate the Protagonist, then fires up his phone, steps up to the glass – the Protagonist SHOUTS PASSIONATELY –

The sound of Kat’s MOANING is BUILDING and BUILDING. Sator holds up one finger –

Adds a second finger – Kat is SCREAMING now –

And a third –

Kat’s SCREAM CRESCENDOS as Sator GRABS her and pushes her up against the glass, PULLS HIS TRIGGER, ‘HEALING’ her wound –

Holds up two fingers –

Sator holds up three fingers –

The Protagonist looks confused –

Sator GRABS his respirator from the hook, PULLS Kat to her feet – DRAGS her backwards through the door, down a corridor into an AIRLOCK, pulls off her respirator, puts his on...

The Protagonist looks through the glass at Kat –

Respirator-clad Paramilitaries pull Kat out of the room. The Paramilitary Sergeant turns to the Protagonist.

The Protagonist NODS. Neil enters – gestures to the Sergeant –

The Protagonist GRABS Neil, THROWS him up against the wall –

The Paramilitaries bring Kat into the room – the MEDIC, moving SWIFTLY, examines Kat’s wound.

The Protagonist puts his arm AGAINST NEIL’S THROAT –

Ives is next to the Protagonist, ready to help Neil...

The Protagonist lets Neil go...

Neil looks at Kat, bleeding out on the gurney.

The Medic steps away from Kat, shakes his head.

The Protagonist points at the turnstile –

The Protagonist thinks. He looks at Kat, who is dying.

The Protagonist looks at Neil – they have the same idea –

Ives, shaking his head, joins in. As they carry Kat towards the vault door, Ives points at the glass partition –

Ives pauses, watching activity on the other side of the window –

The Protagonist turns to see HIMSELF on the other side of the glass, MOVING IN REVERSE, wheeling KAT ‘TOWARDS’ THE VAULT DOOR –

Ives OPENS the door – the Protagonist takes one last look at his backwards self ‘entering’ the machine, then STEPS INSIDE –

We follow him in as the door SHUTS behind him – he puts his back to the wall – the machine starts CLANKING like an MRI – the door opens on the other side – he STEPS OUT...

To see Ives struggling with Kat – he moves to help – Neil is already there (first in, last out).

The Protagonist looks through the glass to where he and Ives now appear to be moving backwards...

The Medic tends to Kat.

The Protagonist moves towards the door. Ives steps up –

Ives sees determination. Shakes his head.

The female Paramilitary, WHEELER, hands the Protagonist a respirator –

Wheeler BANGS on the proving window –

The Protagonist is putting on the respirator –

The Protagonist follows Wheeler into a corridor lined with RESPIRATORS and HAZARD SUITS... at the end is an AIRLOCK...

Ives and Neil are grabbing respirators...

The Protagonist turns to Neil –

Neil hands him a phone. The Protagonist sticks a Bluetooth earpiece in his ear, passes into the airlock – Wheeler shuts it behind him. Then opens the OUTER DOOR...

The Protagonist emerges into a strange world – the air feels different, the friction of his feet on the asphalt feels different. He looks up at birds flying backwards... at steam contracting... at a pile of dust sucking itself bigger...

In the yard he spots the SAAB... he runs over, finds the keys sitting on the front tyre –

The Protagonist LOOKS in the glove box – NOTHING – LOOKS in the wheel well – NOTHING – the back seat – NOTHING. He gives up – starts the engine... pulls out, gently, feeling out the strange handling of the vehicle...

The Protagonist steers the car around BACKWARDS-MOVING TRAFFIC and BACKWARDS-WALKING PEDESTRIANS, MARVELLING...

People STARE at the car as it approaches, as if they already know a backwards-driven car is heading their way (which, of course, they do).

He checks the phone – a blinking dot half a mile away – he GUNS it, FISHTAILING unexpectedly...

We see the fire fight from before IN REVERSE – Neil laying down fire from between cars, Kat carried ‘back’ to the Audi...

Behind Neil, Sator, MOVING FORWARDS, checks the glove compartment of the BMW... NOTHING. FUMING, he heads back to the Mercedes, DUCKING behind cars, bullets FLYING...

The Protagonist pulls onto a busy highway where the cars are FACING HIM, BUT MOVING IN HIS DIRECTION...

The Saab races along, the only normal-looking car on a road full of cars SPEEDING BACKWARDS...

On the phone, the flashing dot is CLOSER...

Slowing, the Protagonist spots the ORANGE CASE lying empty by the side of the road. He PULLS OVER some distance away – JUMPS out of the car – pulls out his BLUETOOTH EARPIECE and WEDGES it between the foam padding and the orange plastic...

The Protagonist heads back to his car, checks the signal from his phone... PEERS at the case...

The case SHUDDERS TO LIFE – LEAPS INTO THE WINDOW OF A PASSING CAR – THE MERCEDES –

The Protagonist PEELS OUT, DUST FLIES UP IN CLOUDS THAT DON’T FULLY BLOSSOM as expected, but CONTRACT...

The Protagonist STRUGGLES with the wheel, trying to keep the car on the road with its unaccustomed handling...

He can see the Mercedes up ahead, weaving through traffic...

The Mercedes races back up the off-ramp – the Saab follows, weaving through traffic which faces him, but travels backwards –

As the Saab gets within a couple car lengths, his phone cuts in with audio from his Bluetooth bug in the Mercedes –

Sound cuts in and out – FRAGMENTS of voices – he struggles to keep pace with the Mercedes – he listens hard –

The Protagonist finds a clear lane and guns the engine, tracking the Mercedes as it pulls alongside the Audi, racing ‘forwards’, and Sator, orange case in hand, climbs from the Mercedes into the Audi...

The Audi pulls alongside the BMW – the Protagonist, sensing the moment, LOWERS HIS WINDOW... Sator lifts the orange case, BUT HIS EYES ARE ELSEWHERE –

Inside the Saab, the Protagonist hears BANGING – the BLACK METAL SHAPE ‘unwedges’ from where it’s been stuck down the side of a seat – ‘BOUNCING’ around the interior –

The Saab CUTS between the Audi and the BMW –

The orange case FLIES OUT OF SATOR’S HANDS – BOUNCES OFF THE SAAB’S WINDSHIELD, ‘LANDING’ IN THE BMW –

JUST AS THE BLACK METAL SHAPE JUMPS OUT OF THE SAAB AND INTO THE (FORWARD) PROTAGONIST’S LOWER HAND...

Sator, SEEING THIS, YANKS the wheel – CLIPS the Saab – the Protagonist STRUGGLES for control – but the Saab SPINS AND ROLLS DOWN THE HIGHWAY, COMING TO REST ON ITS ROOF.

The Protagonist, upside down in the car, regains consciousness... fuel leaks, pooling outside the window... he sees expensive shoes approach, then Sator’s face peering in at him. In his hand is a LIGHTER.

Sator tips his lighter to read his fitness tracker...

Backing away, Sator DROPS the lighter, the fuel EXPLODES, THROWING THE CAR SIDEWAYS – BUT INSTEAD OF FULLY BLOOMING, THE FLAMES CONTRACT, SPARING THE PROTAGONIST WHO LIES THERE, FREEZING. HE PASSES OUT.

FADE IN:

The Protagonist comes to on a stretcher. Kat is on a stretcher next to him. Neil sits between them. The Protagonist looks at his hands, feels his face, confused.

The Protagonist looks around the shipping container.

Kat GROANS, her eyes flicker open to see the Protagonist.

The Protagonist moves to the back of the container, pulls out his phone, checks Neil’s attention is on Kat...

The recording breaks up. The Protagonist puts the phone away, FLEXES his elbow, feeling out some pain... He rolls up his sleeve – there is a DARK PATCH of skin forming –

Neil holds his hands, fingers spread, pointing at each other –

He slowly brings his fingers together, into the ‘Tenet’ gesture –

He pushes one hand back with the other –

Neil nods, gravely. Kat winces, clearly in pain.

Neil injects Kat in the arm. Her eyes close.

Close on the hull, we see the water UNSPLASHING at the bow and SUCKING UNDERNEATH the stern as the ship steams majestically backwards through the cold North Sea...

BANGING wakes the Protagonist – Neil is at a peephole.

Neil is awake. He looks over at the Protagonist, who is examining a LESION on his right arm...

A final THUD, then STILLNESS. The Protagonist moves to the peephole, unplugs it and peers out:

The WRECKED PLANE, FLOODLIT, sitting outside the COLLAPSED WALL which has been sealed with STEEL FENCING.

They both turn to look at the unconscious Kat.

The Protagonist is at the peephole – the ground is WET. CLEAN- UP CREWS and INVESTIGATORS swarm backwards over the scene. SIRENS start... Water FLOWS UP ONTO THE PLANE’S WINGS. FIRE CREWS ‘unpack’ their equipment around the wreck...

The Protagonist WINCES as he pulls his arm into its sleeve...

The Protagonist spots a HOLE in the fabric of his black suit – directly over the lesion on his arm...

Neil straps a respirator to the gurney – puts the mask over Kat’s face, then puts another on himself. He gives Kat a sedative.

Neil looks at Kat, unconscious on the gurney. He TIGHTENS the straps – throws a reflective blanket over her...

The SIRENS are DEAFENING – the Protagonist flexes his arm, clearly in a lot of pain. Neil spots BLOOD dripping from the Protagonist’s wrist –

SUDDENLY THEY HEAR THE BUILDING WHINE OF JET ENGINES. The Protagonist YANKS up the handle, THROWS OPEN THE DOOR –

Onto PANDEMONIUM – FIRE CREWS BATTLE the blaze, chunks of metal on the ground IGNITE, SHUDDER and LEAP ONTO THE AIRFRAME... STREAMS of water RISE up onto the plane –

The Protagonist HURRIES BACKWARDS, PULLING THE GURNEY towards the plane, steering around debris that might suddenly –

A SHEET OF FLAMING METAL SPINS off the ground, shearing into them, KNOCKING the GURNEY – they duck, HOLDING ON TO THE GURNEY, the metal FLIES into the air, SLAMS into its hole on the side of the plane... the Protagonist spots a line under the fuselage, between flames, towards the breach...

Neil looks up as BLACK SMOKE GATHERS, FORMING A MASSIVE CLOUD OVER THE PLANE... a SHOCK WAVE starts to BUILD in the air around them – the Protagonist PULLS Kat and Neil under the fuselage as CURTAINS of FIRE start GATHERING around the wings, CENTRED on a HALF-DESTROYED JET ENGINE –

They pass through the hole in the wall LICKED AT BY FLAMES WHICH LEAVE FROST ON THEIR CLOTHES –

As they clear into the building, DEBRIS in front of them start SHAKING – they DUCK as the MASSIVE BUILD OF ENERGY CLIMAXES in a CACOPHONOUS REVERSE EXPLOSION as THE JET ENGINE REASSEMBLES – LOOSELY ATTACHED TO THE WING, THRUSTING –

The Protagonist draws his gun – turns to Neil –

The Protagonist turns, rushing up onto the loading dock –

The LOOSE JET ENGINE, under FULL THRUST, ATTACHED to the wing, SWINGS BACK AND FORTH, wreaking REVERSE HAVOC...

The Protagonist pauses, LISTENING – he can hear BACKWARDS VOICES on the other side of a ROLLER DOOR – the loose jet engine TURNS, BLASTING AIR at the Protagonist with its INVERTED THRUST – the Protagonist is SMASHED through the bottom of the roller door –

INTO HIMSELF AND NEIL, DRESSED AS BUSINESSMEN AS IN THEIR EARLIER VISIT TO THE ROTAS VAULT – the Protagonist (wearing black clothes and gas mask) TACKLES the EARLIER PROTAGONIST (wearing business suit), the Earlier Protagonist THROWS the Protagonist onto the ground, getting his gun –

SHOUTING at him INCOMPREHENSIBLY – KICKING his INJURED ARM AGAIN AND AGAIN – the Protagonist SCREAMS... The Earlier Protagonist puts his GUN TO THE PROTAGONIST’S HEAD... EARLIER NEIL GRABS HIS ARM, RESTRAINING him...

The Protagonist and Earlier Protagonist STRUGGLE, ROLLING across the floor with the unique physics of forward action merged with backwards action...

They STRUGGLE through the BLUE DOOR of the Rotas vault. The Protagonist gets his gun – the Earlier Protagonist STABS him in the arm with his lockpick – ‘HEALING’ his wound – ENERGIZING him –

He FLIPS the Earlier Protagonist up against the glass, LIFTS his gun – SHOOTS past the Earlier Protagonist’s head, putting a BULLET HOLE through the glass –

Glancing at the OPEN TURNSTILE DOOR, the Protagonist FIRES again, forcing the Earlier Protagonist TOWARDS the door... he looks through the proving window – no one there...

The Protagonist FIRES AGAIN AND AGAIN, forcing the Earlier Protagonist closer and closer to the open turnstile...

The Earlier Protagonist takes hold of the gun – the barrel coming around onto the Protagonist who instinctively EJECTS the magazine, REMOVES the SLIDE, tossing it aside, leaving the Earlier Protagonist with a useless STRIPPED AUTOMATIC –

Earlier Neil RACES backwards into the other half of the room – Through the bullet-riddled glass the Protagonist sees HIMSELF (GAS MASK, BLACK CLOTHES) RUN BACKWARDS into the room –

The Protagonist LEAPS INTO THE TURNSTILE – we FOLLOW the Protagonist through the machine – BURSTING OUT on the other side – straight into Earlier Neil, who now MOVES FORWARDS as the Protagonist PUSHES past –

As the confrontation on the other side of the glass plays out again, FORWARDS... the Protagonist RACES for the RED DOOR, Neil in PURSUIT –

The Protagonist runs, pursued by Earlier Neil, skidding around the corners of the vault corridor –

Earlier Neil gets a hand on the Protagonist’s GAS MASK and YANKS – it comes off in his hands... this time we see that Neil is looking at the UNMASKED PROTAGONIST. Neil, surprised, turns and BOLTS back the way he came – the Protagonist watches him go, then TURNS –

The Protagonist races down the angled corridor –

The Protagonist SKIDS through the doorway leading out of the corridor and into the SMOKE-FILLED cargo area where he left...

Neil races up to the Earlier Protagonist, grab his arm –

...Neil (respirator on) guarding Kat, STRAPPED to the gurney.

Behind them, the fire crew battle the blazing plane. Neil is already looking up at the Protagonist who POINTS right – The Protagonist DUCKS THROUGH the breach, into the chaos... Neil moves BACKWARDS towards the outside...

The Protagonist RUNS THROUGH THE SMOKE AND FLAME, DODGING DEBRIS FALLING FROM THE PLANE... heading towards the EMERGENCY SERVICES...

The Protagonist CREEPS along the side of an AMBULANCE... the AMBULANCE DRIVER spots him in the mirror – the Protagonist DARTS in, HITTING the driver in the face –

Neil (moving FORWARDS) ducks back behind the corner as Earlier Protagonist (business suit) and Earlier Neil (business suit) walk backwards away from the Rotas vault.

Neil pushes Kat towards the broken roller door and pushes her inside...

The Protagonist SWERVES the ambulance, trying to get close to the breach – the Protagonist SPINS the ambulance around as close to the breach as possible. He JUMPS out – opens the back – PEERS into the smoke and water... waiting...

Neil EMERGES, pushing the gurney with Kat on –

The Protagonist DRIVES, sirens blaring.

Neil GRINS, offering his hand –

Neil and the Protagonist are in the back, checking on Kat... whose eyes OPEN.

Neil checks the dressing on her wound –

Neil looks at the Protagonist –

The Protagonist makes his way through the crowd, following an elegantly dressed lady... Priya. He takes her by the arm, away from the crowd...

Priya looks at the Protagonist, surprised he knows the term.

The Protagonist just looks at her. She NODS.

Chinooks cross BACKWARDS through WHITE TURBINES. Service boats pull people off ladders. A large ICEBREAKER sits nearby –

The Protagonist, IN RESPIRATOR, does PULL-UPS on deck, the movement ‘shaking’ snow back up onto the pipe...

CUT BACK TO THE PROTAGONIST IN OSLO –

The Protagonist watches a CHINOOK long-line a container...

Taking a look at the sea CHURNING BACKWARDS into the stern as the inverted ship ‘progresses’, he heads below deck...

CUT BACK TO PRIYA IN OSLO –

Coming out of an AIRLOCK, he removes his respirator. Walks past Wheeler drilling TENET SOLDIERS – non-inverted soldiers in respirators SPAR with inverted soldiers. Neil is amongst troops practising ‘LIFTING’ weapons from the floor.

The Protagonist enters. Kat sits at a window.

The Protagonist follows her look to a bird flying backwards.

She lifts her shirt to reveal a LARGE, JAGGED, ANGRY SCAR.

Neil enters without interrupting. Kat rises. Steady.

Kat realizes...

The Protagonist watches the troops prepare.

The Protagonist turns to face Ives.

Ives shakes his head.

Soldiers in respirators file into the turnstile. Through the proving window we see them ‘back’ into the exit... The Protagonist checks his gear at the back of the line. He sees Kat watching from the airlock. He goes to her.

The Protagonist pulls off his respirator.

INSERT CUT: Kat FLINGS a crystal BOWL OF RASPBERRIES, SMASHING it on a wooden deck...

Kat looks at the Protagonist. Who says nothing.

Kat moves to the Protagonist, in close –

The Protagonist nods. She kisses him.

The Protagonist hands her a DUMB PHONE.

The Protagonist watches the icebreaker recede...

Three CHINOOKS zoom low across the barren landscape, followed by another three CHINOOKS long-lining SHIPPING CONTAINERS...

The Protagonist sits amongst a DOZEN SOLDIERS. They watch the endless northern plain unroll beneath them...

The Protagonist gets off the Chinook, watching another Chinook gently set down a container. He follows the others to a tent.

Soldiers in folding chairs facing a screen. The Protagonist looks around – still no Neil. Ives steps up, signals for the projector: a devastated CITY, grey CONCRETE and ABANDONED industry amongst terraced strip mines...

Ives switches to a GRAPHIC: a childishly simple diagram of a LANDING AREA, BUILDINGS, then an UNDERGROUND CAVERN...

INSERT CUT: Neil, in RESPIRATOR, in the front row of Commander Wheeler’s briefing of BLUE TEAM. All are in respirators...

BACK TO RED-TEAM BRIEFING –

The Protagonist overhears –

A SPEEDBOAT bounces through the chop, Mahir (from the freeport heist) at the helm. Kat, beside him, shields her eyes from the glare as they head towards Sator’s yacht. They pull up some way off. A chopper sits on the yacht.

Mahir hands Kat binoculars – Kat watches her EARLIER SELF and HER SON board the tender and head for shore...

Ives gestures across the whole area on the schematic –

A soldier starts passing out RED ARMBANDS...

INSERT CUT: Neil, in respirator, takes a BLUE ARMBAND, and, like the rest of the team, puts it on...

BACK TO RED-TEAM BRIEFING –

Ives points to each of the three elements in turn:

Ives goes back to the diagram –

Ives points to the city’s edge. Then to the CAVERN.

He holds up his wrist to display a BLOOD-RED ‘10’ –

INSERT CUT: a PREVIOUS BRIEFING (BLUE TEAM). NEIL watches as Wheeler holds up her wrist to show a VIVID-BLUE ‘10’ –

BACK TO RED-TEAM BRIEFING –

Everybody RISES. The Protagonist approaches Ives.

Mahir shows Kat how to use a small pistol. Kat wears a two- piece bathing suit with a shirt over. He puts the pistol in a diver’s bag, loops the lanyard round Kat’s bare ankle.

They hear the chopper SPIN UP. Mahir shows her a FLARE GUN –

Kat nods. The chopper lifts off and ZOOMS overhead. Mahir guns the powerboat, STREAKING towards the yacht...

The Soldiers head for the Chinooks. As they pass the containers, some stare at them... the Chinooks lift off, some Chinooks rise, LIFTING the containers...

Mahir pulls up fifty yards from the stern of Sator’s yacht... Kat grabs the pistol bag and slips into the water...

The Chinooks BEAT LOW over the windswept plain. Stalsk-12 appears on the horizon – terraced strip-mined land leading to a set of CONCRETESTRUCTURES FUSED TO THE EARTH...

Kat quietly pulls herself out of the water and onto a rear platform. She STEALTHILY makes her way up through the boat...

The Chinooks long-lining containers RISE, slowing, as the other Chinooks BARREL in towards a large flat area – ANTI- AIRCRAFT GUNS start FIRING...

The Protagonist grabs his gun and LEAPS from the Chinook as it hovers close to the ground...

The Chinooks long-lining containers fly BACKWARDS towards a giant DEPRESSION...

Neil looks out a peephole –

Neil GRABS his belts as WHUMMMMM!!!! The container SHUDDERS –

The SHOCK WAVE CONTRACTS – the Chinook ‘SURFING’ backwards in on the shock as it approaches the hypocentre... ENERGY BUILDING... GROUND LIFTING AND FLATTENING...

The Protagonist joins a unit of Red team soldiers who CHARGE an antiaircraft emplacement TAKING IT OUT BEFORE IT CAN FIRE ON THE SLOW-MOVING CHINOOKS...

The Protagonist uses his assault rifle to take out a gunemplacement. Ives uses an inverse grenade to violently ‘reassemble’ an enemy gun emplacement out of existence, shredding the enemy with reverse shrapnel...

The Chinooks drop down, land the containers – the Protagonist looks back to see, a hundred metres away, the containers OPEN – Blue team ‘SCRAMBLING’ BACKWARDS from the containers... SOME CARRY INJURED COMRADES, ALL SEEM EXHAUSTED...

The Protagonist and Red team press forward, blasting at the remaining enemy troops who run for the cover of the city... the Protagonist checks his watch – a BRIGHT-RED ‘9:59’, ‘9:58’...

The reverse explosion PEAKS. SUDDEN CALM as the Chinooks place the containers down – they open and Blue team runs out, ‘FORWARDS’, Neil at

the head, guns raised, BLASTING at the ENEMY SOLDIERS on the ridge... Neil checks his watch – a BRIGHT-BLUE ‘9:57’, ‘9:56’... he turns to see a GREY TRUCK ‘REVERSING’ towards the hole, tyres sucking up dust... a rope from its rear hitch TAUT into the hole...

BANG! BANG! SHOTS are sucked out of the ground around him – Blue team FORCES the enemy away from the hole, towards Red team (whose members fight ‘backwards’) – Neil shouts to Wheeler –

He RACES down the ridge, following Wheeler...

Kat comes out to find a JUNIOR CREW MEMBER cleaning up a SMASHED BOWL OF RASPBERRIES. He looks up at her, surprised.

He trails off – they hear an INCOMING CHOPPER.

The Junior Crew Member nods, leaves – Kat moves to the RAIL, checks Mahir in the distance, the DAYBED, the water HOSE...

The Protagonist, Ives and Red team head towards the large concrete turnstile building on the outskirts of the city –

The Protagonist sees Wheeler running backwards towards a BUNKER on their right which UNEXPLODES –

– GUNFIRE CRACKLES around them, pinning them down...

They hit the bunker with an RPG, then race around the left of the turnstile building...

Wheeler leads Blue team down the hill – ‘chasing’ the enemy who run BACKWARDS – a BLUE TEAM member TRIGGERS A LANDMINE – another triggers an INVERSE LANDMINE –

As Blue team goes to the ground, Neil sees mines start to EXPLODE/IMPLODE in a wave towards him as the GREY TRUCK RACES BACKWARDS down the hill through the minefield, REVERSE- TRIGGERING THE MINES – Neil DIVES out of the way, almost run over...

Then gets up to follow the ‘path’ of the grey truck...

Kat unzips the diver’s bag, feels the handle of the gun, then slides the bag under the daybed, checking she can reach. She moves to the rail, crouches to UNCLIP the bottom safety cable. She looks at Mahir’s boat across the water...

Ives leads Red team into the deserted concrete structures via an efficient cover-and-move formation... the Protagonist shelters behind LARGE CONCRETE CHUNKS. Which VIBRATE... GATHERING ENERGY...

The Protagonist JUMPS AWAY as the chunks RIP FROM THE GROUND, BOUNCING VIOLENTLY, DUSTILY OFF EACH OTHER AND FLYING UP INTO A GAP IN THE SIDE OF A BUILDING as an INVERSE RPG ZIPS back up into a WINDOW –

Ives has spotted the window and calls for an RPG to ‘follow’ the inverse one, BLASTING the building... the Protagonist checks his watch – ‘8:10’, ‘8:09’...

Neil checks his watch – ‘8:08’, ‘8:07’... he heads downhill, towards the city, where the rest of Blue team BEAT BACK the enemy...

Kat hoses the raspberries and glass from the deck... Sator appears, watching as she turns the water on herself.

She moves towards him. Sator nods. Picks up the phone –

The Protagonist RUNS across the street, FIRING at the enemy... he SPOTS the TUNNEL ENTRANCE between two buildings.

Ives nods. RACES over, drawing fire the whole way...

Neil races into the city streets... he sees Commander Wheeler and a BLUE SOLDIER take shelter in a large jagged BREACH in the ground-floor wall of a massive structure.

Neil is FORCED to hit the deck, ducking INVERTED fire all around... he looks over at Wheeler, and sees DUST GATHERING AROUND THE BREACH...

Wheeler hears him – tries to grab the Blue Soldier – MASSIVE CHUNKS OF CONCRETE SCRAPE OVER NEIL’S HEAD, FLYING TOWARDS WHEELER, who DIVES CLEAR – the wall REASSEMBLES ON TOP OF the Blue Soldier, CRUSHING HIM...

Neil winces. Starts crawling for better cover... checks his watch – ‘6:24’,‘6:23’...

Sator looks past Kat to the lowering sun.

Sator picks up the phone. Kat looks at the shore, uneasy...

Ives and the Protagonist shelter as Red team exchanges fire with the Enemy further up the street. The Protagonist checks his watch – ‘5:15’, ‘5:14’...

Ives looks ahead to the LEANING RUIN OF A BUILDING TOP...

Neil checks his watch – ‘5:10’, ‘5:09’... frustrated, pinned down, he looks around for a way to break cover...

Commander Wheeler, with the rest of Blue team, SHELTERS in the shadow of the RUINED BASE of a building, pinned by ENEMY FIRE from the base of the building...

She checks her watch – ‘5:04’, ‘5:03’...

The BLUE RPG SOLDIER takes aim...

The Protagonist spots SMALL DEBRIS ROLLING across the street... GATHERING MOMENTUM...

Ives sees LARGER and LARGER debris is ROLLING down the street towards the LEANING RUIN OF A BUILDING TOP...

He signals a RED RPG SOLDIER...

He looks at his watch – ‘5:01’, ‘5:00’ –

The leaning ruin THRUSTS UPWARDS –

Wheeler watches as the Leaning Ruin’s UPPER STOREYS REASSEMBLE, as its BASE EXPLODES...

The Protagonist takes cover as the Leaning Ruin’s BASE REASSEMBLES as its UPPER STOREYS EXPLODE... the Protagonist and Ives race at the tunnel entrance – the GREY TRUCK RACES at them as they dive for the tunnel...

Wheeler ducks as the weight of the upper storeys COLLAPSES the building...

Neil lifts his head after the EXPLO/IMPLOSION. Clear. He gets up and starts RUNNING...

The Protagonist and Ives RACE into the tunnel, HITTING A TRIPWIRE WHICH BLOWS THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE DOWN BEHIND THEM AS THEY JUMP INSIDE...

Sator hangs up. He holds a SILVER PILL in the sunlight, studying it...

Sator looks at her, needing her to care.

Kat steps up in front of Sator, seductive...

Sator smiles appreciatively, but pulls out his phone –

Mahir checks his radio –

The Protagonist and Ives look back at the COLLAPSED ENTRANCE –

They turn and RACE through the mining tunnel...

Neil spots SATOR’S GREY MI8 OVERHEAD, a rope hanging down. Across the street he sees VOLKOV REVERSE-EXIT the tunnel mouth, CROUCHING to ‘DERIG’ a tripwired booby trap, carrying it towards the chopper, then LEAPING up onto the line – RISING from the streets...

Neil STARES. CONCERNED. Checks his watch – ‘4:10’, ‘4:09’... Then TAKES OFF, SPRINTING –

She watches him go ahead, then signals Blue team to keep pushing forward...

The Protagonist and Ives run down the tunnel... they slow as they see a BODY, blue armband, lying on the ground on the opposite side of a SET OF BARS at the end of the tunnel.

They can see into the hypocentre, the GIANT ATOMIC-HEWN CAVERN, daylight above, CAPSULE on the rock floor next to the mouth of a BORE HOLE. The Protagonist checks his watch – ‘4:06’, ‘4:05’ ... Ives checks the ELECTRONIC LOCK –

The Protagonist reaches through the bars and checks the body – FREEZES: attached to a zip, a TALISMAN – A COIN WITH A HOLE HANGING FROM A SMALL LENGTH OF ORANGE AND YELLOW STRING...

The Protagonist looks at it, quizzical, rises –

WHAM! Ives goes down – SHOT BY VOLKOV, bullet SPARKING off his helmet – on the other side of the bars – gun pointed at the Protagonist, FIELD RADIO held out... Sator’s voice ECHOES through the tunnel –

Volkov takes the Protagonist’s gun. Forces him to push Ives’s gun through the bars.

Volkov drops the guns into the water, places the radio by the bars...

Sator steps away from Kat as he speaks quietly into the phone.

Kat looks at Mahir’s boat. Nothing. She looks to the shore. Far in the distance, she can see the TENDER APPROACHING...

The Protagonist looks at Volkov. At the bars between him and the capsule...

Neil comes into the turnstile room... he watches ENEMY TROOPS enter/exit the machine, inverting to join the battle. He waits for his chance... the room is empty... he sees himself through the proving window, and RUNS at the machine...

Sator speaks into his phone –

Kat moves towards Sator, but he raises a finger...

Sator looks out at the lowering sun...

Kat looks at Mahir’s boat. Nothing. She looks to shore, watching the TENDER APPROACHING...

The Protagonist looks at his watch – ‘2:12’, ‘2:11’...

Sator looks out at the glittering water –

Neil, FORWARDS NOW, spots a GREY TRUCK outside the turnstile building – he jumps in, FIRING IT UP –

RACING THROUGH THE STREETS, PAST THE IMPLODING/ EXPLODING BUILDING, racing for the tunnel mouth, trying to head off the Protagonist and Ives –

They dive into the tunnel, which COLLAPSES. Neil sets his sights on the hypocentre ridge above, GUNS the engine...

Wheeler leads Blue team towards the CHINOOKS LOWERING CONTAINERS... as they carry their wounded and lurch towards the containers, they see Red team ‘REASSEMBLING’ the anti- aircraft guns...

The Protagonist watches Volkov pick up a BLACK, METAL, GEOMETRICALLY COMPLEX BAR... the algorithm.

Volkov slowly backs towards the capsule with the algorithm... The Protagonist looks down at Ives – whose hand is MOVING...

A BEEP. Sator checks his watch.

He looks across at Kat standing by the rail.

Volkov seals the capsule – hooks it to a winch... the Protagonist watches Ives’s hand emerge with a SIDEARM... Volkov raises the capsule up over the mouth of the DEEP BORE HOLE, then steps back, preparing to release the winch and drop the capsule into the well...

Sator goes to hang up, pauses... an afterthought –

Volkov RUSHES FORWARD with his gun...

Volkov PULLS HIS TRIGGER – but the Dead Tenet Soldier has ‘RISEN’ to be in front of the gun ‘ABSORBING’ the bullet – then LEAPING to one side, ALIVE –

Sator hears the shot, SATISFIED – Kat pulls the phone away –

The Protagonist DIVES to where Ives is lying, GRABS his gun – Volkov TURNS, RUNNING FOR the winch-release –

He FIRES at Volkov, who goes down just short of the winch...

Ives struggles to his feet, checking his watch – ‘1:07’, ‘1:06’...

Hearing BEEPS, Ives looks up. THE LOCK is open –

Neil RACES up the slope to the ridge – through the MINEFIELD, setting off personnel mines in his wake, NARROWLY AVOIDING RUNNING HIMSELF OVER...

As Kat pours him a drink, Sator looks out at the glowing horizon, fiddling with the silver pill... he POINTS –

She looks at him, smiles sweetly.

He reaches for her – she gets up, moves to the rail –

She grabs the hose, starts spraying herself –

Kat sprays the deck in front of the rail –

She looks at Sator lying on the daybed like an appalling emperor. Moves towards him. Grabs the sunscreen.

He rolls over, obedient. She squirts a large dollop across his back. Looks up at Mahir’s boat, hopeful. Nothing.

She checks her watch as she lazily smears the sunscreen across Sator’s back. He groans. Kat watches the TENDER APPROACHING, she can just make out HERSELF AND HER SON...

The Protagonist watches the Dead Tenet Soldier RACING BACKWARDS from the gate, out of the tunnel –

The Protagonist TURNS – Ives swings the gate open – they RACE through, just before it closes, SLAMMING SHUT behind them –

The Protagonist steps over Volkov, STRUGGLES with the capsule, it swings, HANGING precariously over the well...

Mahir looks through binoculars, FRUSTRATED, flare gun ready –

Neil REVERSES towards the hole – jumps out, pulling a line from the rear winch...

Kat looks at Mahir’s boat. Nothing. She checks her watch... looks down at the tender approaching – it’s close enough she can clearly see HERSELF CHATTING AND LAUGHING WITH MAX... she jumps up from the daybed, holding the diver’s bag. Sator looks up at her, surprised.

Sator looks at her, suddenly wary...

She pulls out the SILENCED PISTOL. He is UTTERLY UNAFRAID.

Kat pulls up her shirt to reveal the MASSIVE, ANGRY SCAR –

Sator realizes he’s been conned – LUNGES FOR HER –

KAT SHOOTS HIM IN THE UPPER CHEST – his hands go to his chest – he GASPS, air leaking from his lungs... Kat ROLLS Sator off the daybed onto his back – he GURGLES – she GRABS his legs – SLIDES HIM AT THE GAP BELOW THE RAIL –

Sator SHOOTS off the deck, TUMBLING DOWN to the sea – his head CRACKS on the rear platform as he HITS the water –

Mahir lowers his binoculars, STARTLED, as he sees Sator’s body pitch into the sea –

Mahir GUNS the engine, racing towards the yacht...

The Protagonist opens the capsule, revealing the algorithm –

The Protagonist looks at Ives, ashen – A LINE DROPS BETWEEN THEM –

Neil is at the wheel of the truck. Through the rear-view mirror he looks at his line running into the hole. Through the windshield he watches Red and Blue soldiers finish loading and LIFT OFF. He checks his watch – ‘00:09’, ‘00:08’...

He GUNS it, PULLING AWAY FROM THE HOLE –

The Protagonist and Ives are YANKED into the air, the Protagonist CLUTCHING the algorithm – as they approach the rocky edge of the hole, Ives raises his boots to cushion the – IMPACT! They BOUNCE PAINFULLY over the lip –

The truck DRAGS them along the rocky ground, away from the hole as... BOOOOM!!!! THE ROCKY GROUND BUCKLES WITH FORCE –

SMOKE and FLAMES BLAST up out of the hole in an ANGRY PLUME –

The ground around the hole COLLAPSES IN AN EVER-GROWING RADIUS –

The line SNAPS, leaving the Protagonist and Ives TUMBLING to a stop... The SUBSIDENCE approaches, SLOWING, SLOWING... the ground OPENS UP under the Protagonist – Ives GRABS HIM – the Protagonist has the algorithm in his hands, Ives PULLS him back onto solid ground...

Wheeler PULLS a last Blue team soldier into the container as her watch hits ZERO – the container door SLAMS shut –

Kat picks up the shell casing, drops it in the diver’s bag, zips it up, attaches the lanyard to her ankle, sprays down the deck, WASHING away BLOOD and SUNSCREEN...

Kat steps up to the railing. Watches Mahir, down below, getting a line on Sator’s body. Kat glances over at the TENDER ARRIVING WITH HER EARLIER SELF AND HER SON... Kat DIVES, ARCING GRACEFULLY THROUGH THE SUNSET...

Kat’s earlier self, stepping onto the yacht, catches a glimpse of a graceful form SLICING into the water. She looks, CURIOUS, but Max TUGS her sleeve and she turns.

On Mahir’s SPEEDING boat, Kat hands Mahir the diver’s bag and looks up ahead to the last light of day...

Mahir hands her the radio –

Silence. She glances Mahir, suddenly concerned –

Mahir’s boat SPEEDS AWAY through the twilight...

...DRAGGING Sator’s body behind.

A Chinook swirls snow around the blasted ruins... Ives and the Protagonist slump, bruised, exhausted, gas masks off, breathing hard. On the ground between them – the matte-black algorithm... Neil approaches, removing his gas mask...

The Protagonist reaches for the algorithm – Ives PULLS it out of his reach – his gun laying casually across his leg. As Neil and the Protagonist watch, Ives takes his weapon in hand, gets to his feet... He lifts the algorithm... looks around at the deserted plain above Stalsk-12...

Ives SEPARATES the algorithm into THREE COMPONENTS –

Ives TOSSES them each one component...

Ives HOLSTERS his sidearm.

Neil shakes his head, smiling at this. Ives heads towards the Chinook. Neil and the Protagonist watch him go...

Neil thinks of something. Looks at Ives –

Neil takes his section of the algorithm, REATTACHES it to the Protagonist’s.

Ives looks at Neil, sizing him up.

Neil turns to the Protagonist, grabs his BACKPACK...

Neil SWINGS his pack onto his back, revealing a TALISMAN – A COIN WITH A HOLE TIED to the zip WITH ORANGE AND YELLOW THREAD –

The Protagonist thinks. Struggles.

Neil looks back at the Protagonist. Sees his struggle...

The Protagonist lets him walk, tears welling up... CALLS OUT –

Neil turns. Follows Ives to board the Chinook. The Protagonist watches him go...

The Protagonist looks down at the algorithm in his hands.

He pulls up his collar and walks into the snow...

Kat is walking up the road to the school gates.

She feels something wrong. Looking across the road, she sees a car with tinted windows shadowing her.

She gets out the dumb phone the Protagonist had given her...

Priya is in the front passenger seat. The DRIVER next to her has a GUN and SILENCER sitting on his knee...

The rear door opens – a dull thud – the Driver is SHOT by a silenced pistol –

Priya turns – the Protagonist has a gun to the back of her seat.

He holds up a dumb phone, plays a voicemail –

Kat hits send, speaks into the phone –

The Protagonist watches Kat.

The Protagonist brings his focus back to Priya.

He shoots her through the seat back. She slumps forward.

The Protagonist looks across the road. The kids stream out... Kat sees Max coming, takes one last look at the dark car...

Kat shakes her head, smiling at her own folly, looks at the phone like it’s silly –

She tosses the phone carelessly into her bag.

The Protagonist watches Kat and Max walk away. Max offers Kat his hand and we –

CREDITS.

END.