Hustlers (2019)

Last updated:
November 30, 2025

Hustlers (2019), directed by Lorene Scafaria, is a slick, character-driven crime drama inspired by true events and a viral 2015 New York Magazine article. It blends friendship, ambition, crime, and economic desperation into a sharp, entertaining story. Below is a complete deep-dive into the film, including spoilers, production details, trivia, and recommendations.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The World of Stripping Before the Crash

The film opens by immersing the audience in the glamorous world of high-end New York strip clubs. Destiny (Constance Wu), new to the club, struggles to find her footing until she meets Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), a powerhouse dancer who takes her under her wing. Ramona’s charisma, professionalism, and generosity form the emotional core of the film.
The financial world is booming, and Wall Street clients spend massive amounts each night. Destiny and Ramona thrive — emotionally, socially, and financially.

The 2008 Financial Collapse: Everything Falls Apart

The economic crash of 2008 hits the strip-club ecosystem brutally. Wall Street regulars disappear, money dries up, and the dancers scramble to survive. Destiny is forced to quit and become a single mother, barely making ends meet.
Ramona, meanwhile, drifts into low-pay retail work. Their glamorous world collapses into harsh reality.

Reuniting and Creating the Scheme

Destiny and Ramona reunite years later, and the spark of their old partnership returns instantly. Ramona introduces Destiny to a bold new plan:
They target wealthy men, drug them with a mixture of MDMA and ketamine, run up huge credit card charges at the club, and split the profits with the owners.

It works.
Then it works extremely well.

Destiny, Ramona, Mercedes (Keke Palmer), and Annabelle (Lili Reinhart) create a high-profit, low-risk criminal operation. They justify it by insisting that the men they target would never report the crimes — and that these men, many of whom are predatory, “deserve it.”

Cracks in the Empire

As the operation expands, Ramona recruits less reliable new girls. Destiny becomes increasingly uneasy as the drugging becomes more aggressive, the clients more unstable, and the risk more apparent.
Ramona’s ambition grows beyond what Destiny can morally tolerate, and the partnership begins to strain.

Movie Ending

Eventually, the scheme unravels.
One of the new recruits goes to the police, and a sting operation is launched. Destiny, fearing prison, agrees to cooperate with investigators.

Ramona refuses to fold. Her pride, confidence, and belief in the mission make her almost mythic — but also blind. When Ramona is arrested, the emotional heart of the film reaches its peak. Destiny watches her former mentor taken away, feeling both guilt and heartbreak.

In the final scenes, we see Destiny years later being interviewed by a journalist (Julia Stiles). She explains that despite everything, what she truly misses is Ramona — not the money or the lifestyle.
The film ends with Ramona walking alone in a fur coat, giving an interview of her own, and delivering one of the film’s most memorable lines:
“The whole country is a strip club. You have people tossing the money, and people doing the dance.”

It’s a final, cutting commentary on power, capitalism, and who gets exploited.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Hustlers does not have any mid-credits or post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

Hustlers is a stylish crime drama with strong comedic elements and a character-focused narrative. It blends true-crime storytelling with emotional drama and sharp social commentary.

Cast

Jennifer Lopez – Ramona
Constance Wu – Destiny
Julia Stiles – Elizabeth
Keke Palmer – Mercedes
Lili Reinhart – Annabelle
Cardi B – Diamond
Lizzo – Liz
Mercedes Ruehl – Mother of Destiny’s boyfriend

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack is curated with iconic 2000s and early 2010s tracks — pop, hip-hop, and R&B. The official score was composed by Jeremiah Fraites (of The Lumineers) and Emile Mosseri, mixing atmospheric tones with emotional beats that match Destiny and Ramona’s relationship.

Filming Locations

New York City, USA – Most filming took place in Manhattan and Queens.
Actual New York strip clubs were used, lending authenticity to the dance sequences.
The city itself plays an important symbolic role: its Wall Street wealth, nightlife culture, and post-crash economic tension underpin the film’s themes.

Awards and Nominations

Jennifer Lopez received Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
The film won several regional critics awards and appeared on multiple “Top 10 of 2019” lists.
Although it didn’t earn major Oscar nominations, Lopez’s performance was widely considered a major snub.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Jennifer Lopez trained for months on pole dancing, performing all her own moves — something she called physically harder than anything she’d done before.
The real women behind the 2015 magazine article were invited to meet the cast but declined.
Many scenes between Lopez and Wu were shot with minimal rehearsal to preserve natural chemistry.
Cardi B’s role was intentionally small due to her touring schedule.
The fur coat Ramona wears in the opening scene became one of the film’s most iconic wardrobe pieces.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the viral true-crime article “The Hustlers at Scores” by Jessica Pressler, published in New York Magazine.
It also draws stylistic inspiration from films like Goodfellas and The Wolf of Wall Street, especially in narration structure and themes of moral ambiguity.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There is no widely revealed alternate ending, but:

Several deleted scenes involved more backstory about Destiny’s family life.
A scene showing Ramona after her release was filmed but removed to keep the ending more ambiguous and emotionally open.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is no book adaptation before the film, but Pressler’s article served as the primary source material.
Key differences from the article:

The film softens some of the more dangerous aspects of the real drugging.
Destiny and Ramona’s relationship is more intimate and central than in real life.
Some characters are composite or fictionalized for dramatic clarity.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Ramona’s legendary roof-top fur coat dance introduction.
The first night Destiny watches Ramona perform — the moment she decides to follow her.
The sequence showing the rise of their criminal ring with upbeat music and montage style.
Destiny confronting Ramona about going too far with the drugs.
The sting operation where the group is finally caught.

Iconic Quotes

“Doesn’t money make you wet?” – Ramona
“We didn’t do anything that bad. We were just…giving them what they wanted.” – Destiny
“This country is one big strip club.” – Ramona

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The film includes subtle nods to real-life 2000s Wall Street scandals.
Destiny’s wardrobe gradually mirrors Ramona’s, showing Ramona’s influence.
Ramona’s fur coat reappears throughout the film as a symbol of confidence and power.
The club names are fictionalized to avoid legal complications.

Trivia

Jennifer Lopez personally financed part of her training and did not take an upfront salary.
Lizzo and Cardi B improvised several of their scenes.
Constance Wu campaigned hard for the role after finishing Crazy Rich Asians.

Why Watch?

Because Hustlers is more than a crime story — it’s a film about female friendship, survival, and moral gray areas, wrapped in compelling performances and stylish filmmaking. Jennifer Lopez delivers one of her career-best roles, and the story is equally entertaining and socially insightful.

Director’s Other Movies

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
The Meddler (2015)

Hustlers (2019)