Logan Lucky (2017)

Last updated:
August 8, 2025

Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky is a clever, offbeat heist comedy often described as “Ocean’s Eleven for rednecks” — a label the film wears proudly. It blends sharp writing, quirky characters, and Soderbergh’s signature flair for elaborate schemes that are just crazy enough to work.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Logan Curse and Jimmy’s New Problem

Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) is a West Virginia construction worker who gets laid off from his job at the Charlotte Motor Speedway due to “insurance liability” over an old knee injury from his football days. He’s divorced, shares custody of his daughter Sadie, and is living with his brother Clyde (Adam Driver), a war veteran who lost his arm in Iraq. The Logans are rumored to have a family “curse” — bad luck in everything they do.

The Heist Plan

When Jimmy learns that the Speedway uses a complex underground pneumatic tube system to move cash during NASCAR events, he sees an opportunity. He ropes in Clyde and their sister Mellie (Riley Keough) to help. There’s one big problem: they need explosives. Enter Joe Bang (Daniel Craig), a bleach-blond explosives expert… who is currently in prison. The plan now includes breaking Joe out, pulling off the robbery, and sneaking him back into prison before anyone notices.

Recruiting the Bang Brothers

Joe insists they’ll also need his two brothers, Fish and Sam Bang, whose moral code is “We only rob people who deserve it.” They’re not exactly tech geniuses, but they’re loyal. Jimmy’s plan is absurdly detailed, involving garbage trucks, disguises, and perfect NASCAR timing.

Race Day Chaos

On race day, everything unfolds like clockwork — mostly. They cause a small riot in the stands to distract security, send Joe into the Speedway’s tunnels to blast open the cash vault, and use industrial vacuum tubes to suck the money into garbage bags. A few hiccups occur (including an unplanned delivery of the wrong type of explosives), but the crew improvises brilliantly.

Movie Ending

After the heist, Jimmy appears to have abandoned the stolen money, tipping off the FBI. Agent Sarah Grayson (Hilary Swank) investigates but can’t pin anything on the Logans. The FBI suspects the crew pulled off the robbery and then returned the cash — but why?

In the final act, we see the twist: Jimmy had actually hidden the stolen cash, returning only part of it to throw off suspicion. The rest he secretly distributed to his accomplices. We learn he took the job at the Speedway to scout the tunnels beforehand. The FBI eventually drops the case due to lack of evidence.

In the closing scenes, Jimmy is back with his daughter, enjoying a more stable life. Clyde flirts with Grayson at the bar, Mellie gets a new car, and Joe Bang is quietly celebrating his cut. In a subtle cliffhanger, Agent Grayson appears at Clyde’s bar — possibly still suspicious. The movie ends with a feeling that the Logan luck might finally be turning… or not.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Logan Lucky. Once the film ends, the story is complete — though the final moments hint that the FBI might not be entirely done with the case.

Type of Movie

Crime comedy, heist film, with a Southern flavor and a sly underdog story.

Cast

Channing Tatum – Jimmy Logan
Adam Driver – Clyde Logan
Daniel Craig – Joe Bang
Riley Keough – Mellie Logan
Katie Holmes – Bobbie Jo Chapman
Seth MacFarlane – Max Chilblain
Hilary Swank – Sarah Grayson
Brian Gleeson – Sam Bang
Jack Quaid – Fish Bang

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by David Holmes, who also worked with Soderbergh on the Ocean’s Eleven series. It’s a mix of twangy country sounds, gritty blues, and atmospheric tracks that fit the Appalachian setting.

Filming Locations

Shot primarily in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, with many scenes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Speedway is central to the plot, providing the believable logistical challenge for the heist. Soderbergh used the real location to give the film a grounded, authentic feel.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for the Empire Award for Best Comedy.
Nominated at several critics’ associations for screenplay and acting performances (Daniel Craig in particular).

Behind the Scenes Insights

Daniel Craig took the role to break away from his James Bond image, surprising audiences with his comedic timing and eccentric look.
Soderbergh came out of “retirement” to direct the film, citing the unique script as the reason.
The NASCAR scenes were filmed during actual race events to capture real crowd energy.
The script was credited to “Rebecca Blunt,” a pseudonym that sparked speculation; some believe Soderbergh’s wife, Jules Asner, wrote it.

Inspirations and References

The movie takes inspiration from Southern culture, NASCAR’s real cash-handling systems, and classic underdog crime capers. Its structure nods heavily to Ocean’s Eleven but with a “blue-collar” spin.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some early cuts reportedly had a more ambiguous ending with Agent Grayson clearly still on the Logans’ trail. The final cut leaves it more playful and less tense.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Not based on a book — the story is an original screenplay.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Joe Bang explaining chemistry in the prison kitchen using gummy bears and bleach.
The hilarious prison riot where the inmates demand Game of Thrones books because the TV season is ahead of the novels.
The slow-motion heist sequence set to John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.

Iconic Quotes

Joe Bang: “I am in-car-cer-a-ted!”
Clyde Logan: “Cauliflower.” (said ominously as a code word)
Jimmy Logan: “We’re gonna do it like we did it in Iraq. No, wait… you weren’t there.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Soderbergh includes visual nods to Ocean’s Eleven, such as quick montage shots during the heist.
NASCAR personalities make cameos, including real drivers.
The prison riot scene slyly comments on pop culture by referencing Game of Thrones delays.

Trivia

Daniel Craig improvised much of Joe Bang’s eccentric mannerisms.
The “Logan Curse” idea was added by Soderbergh to give the family more depth.
Channing Tatum gained weight for the role to appear more working-class.

Why Watch?

If you like clever heist films but want something with a laid-back, rural twist, Logan Lucky delivers. It’s smart without being pretentious, funny without trying too hard, and has one of Daniel Craig’s most unexpected performances.

Director’s Other Movies

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Traffic (2000)
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Contagion (2011)
The Laundromat (2019)

Logan Lucky (2017)