Ghosted (2023)

Ghosted (2023) is an action-romantic-comedy film directed by Dexter Fletcher and starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. It blends genres in a high-energy, globe-trotting adventure with a bit of romance, espionage, and a lot of chaos. Here’s a full breakdown of what the film offers—from plot and cast to trivia and hidden details.

Detailed Summary

Meet-Cute and the Mystery Begins

Cole (Chris Evans) is a sweet, slightly clingy farmer in Washington, D.C., who meets Sadie (Ana de Armas), a mysterious woman, at a farmer’s market. Their banter leads to a whirlwind 24-hour date full of chemistry. But after texting her repeatedly and getting no reply, Cole feels he’s been “ghosted.”

Using a tracker in his inhaler (yes, it’s a bit stalker-ish), he finds out Sadie is in London—and flies there to surprise her.

Spy Games and Sudden Chaos

Things go sideways fast. Cole is abducted, mistaken for a legendary CIA operative code-named “The Taxman,” and tortured by arms dealers. Just before things turn fatal, Sadie shows up, guns blazing, revealing she’s actually a real CIA agent—and very much not in the mood for a surprise visit from a guy she dated once.

This twist sets up the film’s key dynamic: Cole, the hopeless romantic and reluctant action participant, stuck alongside Sadie, a lethal, emotionally detached operative. Together, they must stop a terrorist named Leveque (Adrien Brody), who is hunting a stolen biochemical weapon called Aztec.

Chases, Backstabs, and Romance Rekindled

Cole and Sadie travel from London to Pakistan to a desert torture palace, facing assassins and betrayals. Along the way, their mutual trust is tested. Cole feels used; Sadie thinks he’s naive. Despite all the bullets and explosions, feelings start to rekindle.

They eventually team up with Sadie’s ex-partner and some questionable mercenaries to stop Leveque from auctioning Aztec. Their journey is peppered with cameos (from MCU stars like Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan), awkward romantic tension, and a few well-placed one-liners.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Leveque brings the Aztec weapon to a revolving restaurant atop a skyscraper for an illicit auction involving several international criminals. Cole and Sadie infiltrate the auction in classic spy fashion—complete with tuxedos, banter, and backstabbing.

Things escalate quickly when Cole bluffs with a fake detonator, Leveque realizes it, and all hell breaks loose. As chaos unfolds, Cole and Sadie are forced to fight their way through the restaurant, eventually confronting Leveque in a gravity-defying sequence. He’s thrown from the top of the spinning restaurant—dramatic and ridiculous in equal measure.

In the aftermath, Cole and Sadie officially become a couple. He’s now got a taste for the spy life (but definitely still hates being shot at), and she’s learning to open up emotionally. The film ends with them enjoying a more “normal” date, though it’s quickly interrupted by CIA business.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Ghosted. Once the credits roll, the movie is over. No Marvel-style teases, no bonus jokes—just a straight finish.

Type of Movie

Ghosted is a romantic action-comedy with heavy influences from spy thrillers. Think of it as Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Romancing the Stone, with a bit of Mission: Impossible flair and Netflix-style rom-com vibes.

Cast

• Chris Evans as Cole Turner
• Ana de Armas as Sadie Rhodes
• Adrien Brody as Leveque
• Mike Moh as Wagner
• Amy Sedaris as Mom (Cole’s mother)
• Tate Donovan as Dad (Cole’s father)
• Tim Blake Nelson as Borislov
• Cameos: Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, John Cho (as rival bounty hunters)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Lorne Balfe, known for work on Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Black Widow. The soundtrack mixes pulse-pounding spy music with romantic interludes to match the film’s wild tonal shifts.

Filming Locations

• Atlanta, Georgia: Main filming location using soundstages and urban backdrops.
• Washington, D.C.: Used for establishing shots and early scenes.
• London and other European locations: Used for international scenes, though many were filmed on green screen stages or backlots to simulate global locales.

While the movie spans the globe narratively, many of its international settings were digitally created or shot in controlled environments.

Awards and Nominations

As of now, Ghosted hasn’t won any major awards. It received mixed-to-negative reviews and was not a strong awards contender, but it was a streaming hit for Apple TV+ and did well with audiences looking for fun, escapist entertainment.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Chris Evans originally pitched Ana de Armas for the role after working with her on Knives Out and The Gray Man.
• Scarlett Johansson was originally cast as Sadie but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
• The film was shot during COVID, which limited the number of on-location shoots.
• Director Dexter Fletcher took over after initial creative changes to the script and tone.

Inspirations and References

• Inspired by 80s and 90s action-romance films like Romancing the Stone, True Lies, and Knight and Day.
• The “average guy meets spy” trope is also reminiscent of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.
• The title “Ghosted” plays on modern dating lingo, but the film flips the idea by making the woman the mysterious one.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly released alternate endings, but some deleted scenes include:

• A longer version of Cole being interrogated in Pakistan.
• A romantic montage showing Cole and Sadie’s first date with more character-building moments.
• Extended cameos of the rival bounty hunters played by Mackie, Stan, and Cho.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Ghosted is not based on a book. It’s an original screenplay written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, known for Deadpool and Zombieland.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The farmer’s market first date – simple, flirty, and sets the tone.
• The bus ambush – Cole’s sudden dive into the world of spies.
• The CIA interrogation – where Cole realizes just how deep he’s in.
• The hotel rooftop auction – full of tension and gadgets.

Iconic Quotes

• Cole: “You kidnapped me, tied me to a chair, and then kissed me. I’ve had worse first dates.”
• Sadie: “You’re the most civilian person I’ve ever met.”
• Leveque: “Romance is a distraction. But you two? You’re like a soap opera with guns.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Cole’s inhaler tracker is a subtle jab at how tech-obsessed modern relationships have become.
• The bounty hunter cameos are a meta joke—Evans, Mackie, and Stan were all Avengers.
• The CIA code name “Taxman” is a nod to The Beatles’ song, referencing the line “Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman…”

Trivia

• Ana de Armas did many of her own stunts.
• The spinning restaurant finale was built as a practical set for some shots.
• Chris Evans took the role to flip his usual tough-guy image—he plays the romantic underdog here.
• The film was the most-watched movie debut on Apple TV+ as of its release weekend.

Why Watch?

If you’re looking for a fun, popcorn-style flick with chemistry between leads, explosions, mistaken identity, and spy tropes galore, Ghosted delivers. It’s not going to win Oscars, but it’s a great date-night movie with some big-name appeal and high-energy pacing.

Director’s Other Movies (Dexter Fletcher)

• Rocketman (2019)
• Eddie the Eagle (2016)
• Took over uncredited directing duties on Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) after Bryan Singer’s departure

Recommended Films for Fans

• Knight and Day (2010)
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
• The Gray Man (2022)
• This Means War (2012)
• Red Notice (2021)
• Romancing the Stone (1984)