Matthew Vaughn’s Layer Cake (2004) is a stylish British crime thriller that dives into the underworld of drug dealing, betrayal, and survival. It’s not just another gangster flick—it’s a layered story (pun intended) about power, greed, and the consequences of ambition. Let’s break it down.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: Meet the Anonymous Protagonist
The story is narrated by an unnamed protagonist (played by Daniel Craig, often referred to as “XXXX” by fans). He’s a successful cocaine dealer in London who prides himself on being different from the typical thugs: he runs his operation clean, avoids unnecessary violence, and plans to retire early with enough money to live comfortably. But like all good crime stories, retirement isn’t that easy.
Jimmy Price’s Request
Our protagonist is pulled deeper into the underworld when his boss, Jimmy Price, asks him to do two favors:
- Track down the missing daughter of a powerful associate, Eddie Temple.
- Help negotiate a huge deal involving a massive shipment of ecstasy pills smuggled from Europe.
From here, things spiral into chaos.
The Ecstasy Deal
The pills were stolen from a Serbian war criminal, which makes the deal incredibly dangerous. The Serbians want their product back and will kill anyone in their way. Suddenly, XXXX is caught between rival gangs, violent Serbs, and his own boss’s shady schemes.
Betrayal and Power Plays
Eddie Temple (played by Michael Gambon) is introduced as a manipulative crime lord who plays everyone like chess pieces. He warns XXXX that Jimmy Price is setting him up. Price, it turns out, is planning to sell XXXX out to save himself. This revelation puts our protagonist in a deadly position: trust nobody, outsmart everybody.
Double-Crosses and Murders
Throughout the film, betrayals stack on betrayals. XXXX orchestrates Price’s downfall, manipulates rivals, and eventually eliminates threats to his survival. By the third act, he has maneuvered his way into becoming the new boss of the London drug scene.
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Movie Ending
The ending of Layer Cake is one of the most talked-about in modern crime cinema. After eliminating his enemies and rising to the top, XXXX seems to have achieved everything he wanted—power, respect, and financial security. He even decides to finally pursue a normal relationship with Tammi (Sienna Miller’s character).
But just as he’s leaving a celebratory lunch, walking down the steps with Tammi by his side, he’s unexpectedly confronted by Sidney, a low-level gangster whom XXXX had humiliated earlier in the film. Out of nowhere, Sidney pulls a gun and shoots him. XXXX collapses, bleeding out as Tammi screams, while Sidney flees.
The movie ends ambiguously: it doesn’t confirm whether XXXX dies, but the implication is grim. It’s a chilling reminder of the film’s core message: in the criminal underworld, you never really escape. No matter how smart you are, violence eventually catches up.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Layer Cake does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is over, leaving viewers to dwell on the final shocking twist.
Type of Movie
Layer Cake is a British crime thriller with heavy neo-noir influences. It combines slick style, sharp dialogue, and a morally gray protagonist. Fans of Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels will find a similar energy but with a darker, more refined tone.
Cast
- Daniel Craig as XXXX (unnamed protagonist)
- Michael Gambon as Eddie Temple
- Colm Meaney as Gene
- George Harris as Morty
- Kenneth Cranham as Jimmy Price
- Sienna Miller as Tammi
- Tom Hardy as Clarkie
- Ben Whishaw as Sidney
Film Music and Composer
The film features a sharp, eclectic soundtrack rather than a traditional score. Artists include Duran Duran, The Cult, and The Source featuring Candi Staton (You Got the Love). These tracks help capture the slick but gritty tone of London’s underworld.
Filming Locations
Layer Cake was filmed primarily in London, with key scenes shot in upscale neighborhoods, industrial areas, and nightclubs. The city itself becomes a character—its wealth, grime, and danger reflecting the layered structure of the criminal world.
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Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for Best British Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards (2004).
- Daniel Craig received significant praise for his performance, which contributed to him being chosen as the next James Bond.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- This was Matthew Vaughn’s directorial debut—before this, he was best known as Guy Ritchie’s producer (Snatch, Lock, Stock).
- Daniel Craig’s performance directly influenced the producers of James Bond to cast him in Casino Royale (2006).
- Vaughn initially struggled to secure funding since it wasn’t a Guy Ritchie film, but the script’s sharpness won over studios.
- Tom Hardy’s role, though small, gained attention and marked one of his earliest notable film appearances.
Inspirations and References
The movie is adapted from the novel Layer Cake by J.J. Connolly, which dives into the same world of drug dealers and criminals. The film remains relatively faithful to the book but makes certain narrative cuts for pacing.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
In the original book, XXXX’s fate is also grim—he ends up in prison rather than being shot. The film chose a more cinematic and shocking twist, emphasizing the inevitability of violence in the criminal lifestyle.
Deleted scenes mainly flesh out character backstories, but none change the core trajectory of the plot.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- Book Ending: XXXX ends up arrested.
- Movie Ending: XXXX is shot, leaving his fate uncertain.
- The film compresses several storylines from the book, focusing more tightly on XXXX’s journey and betrayals.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- XXXX’s opening monologue about the drug business, accompanied by rapid visuals.
- The brutal Serb execution scene, showing the true danger behind the ecstasy deal.
- Eddie Temple’s calm yet chilling speech about power and corruption.
- The shocking final shooting on the steps.
Iconic Quotes
- XXXX: “The art of good business is being a good middleman.”
- Eddie Temple: “You’re born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. Climb a little higher, take less shit. Until one day you’re up in the rarefied atmosphere and you’ve forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the Layer Cake.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The name “XXXX” is never revealed; it reinforces the idea that he could be anyone in the criminal world.
- Daniel Craig wears a tailored suit throughout the film—foreshadowing his future as James Bond.
- The layered narrative structure mirrors Eddie Temple’s “layer cake” speech.
Trivia
- J.J. Connolly, the author of the novel, also wrote the screenplay.
- Vaughn initially wanted to cast a more established star, but Daniel Craig impressed with his intensity.
- The term “layer cake” is British slang for the hierarchical structure of society and organized crime.
Why Watch?
Layer Cake is a smart, stylish, and gritty crime film that doesn’t glorify violence but instead shows the ugly truth of the drug world. It’s essential viewing for fans of British gangster cinema and anyone curious to see Daniel Craig in the role that made him Bond-worthy.
Director’s Other Movies
- Kick-Ass (2010)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
- Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
- The King’s Man (2021)