RocknRolla (2008)

Last updated:
August 24, 2025

Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla (2008) is a stylish British gangster flick that combines sharp dialogue, multiple overlapping storylines, and a cast of shady yet oddly charming criminals. It’s one of those films where nearly everyone is scheming, double-crossing, or chasing after something valuable, and the fun comes from watching their chaotic interactions spiral out of control.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The London Underworld

The film opens with a narration that explains the London underworld is changing. The old school gangsters are being replaced by slick, foreign businessmen. Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), a veteran crime boss, is trying to hold onto his power, and he teams up with a powerful Russian billionaire, Uri Omovich, for a lucrative real estate deal.

The Painting and the Money

Lenny receives a valuable “lucky painting” as a gift from Uri. Meanwhile, Uri’s accountant, Stella (Thandiwe Newton), double-crosses her boss by secretly hiring a group of small-time crooks—the Wild Bunch (Gerard Butler as One Two, Idris Elba as Mumbles, and Tom Hardy as Handsome Bob)—to steal millions of euros meant for Lenny.

This creates a snowball effect: the painting goes missing, money disappears, and nobody knows who can be trusted.

The Wild Bunch’s Chaos

The Wild Bunch bumble their way through the job but manage to steal the money more than once. One Two also starts sleeping with Stella, which complicates matters even further. Meanwhile, Handsome Bob reveals to One Two that he’s gay, which leads to a surprisingly heartfelt and comedic subplot in the middle of all the gangster drama.

Johnny Quid: The RocknRolla

At the heart of it all is Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell), a drug-addicted, supposedly dead rock star and Lenny’s estranged stepson. Johnny is not only alive but also the one who has the missing painting. He’s unpredictable, brilliant, and dangerous, and his fate ties all the other storylines together.

Movie Ending

In the final act, the layers of betrayal unravel. Uri, tired of being robbed, sends his ruthless enforcers to deal with the situation. The Wild Bunch realize that Johnny Quid is alive and hiding with the painting. Lenny tries to maintain control, but his own lawyer, Archie (Mark Strong), turns against him once his corruption and betrayal come to light.

Johnny Quid comes clean about his survival and gives Archie the painting. Archie then delivers a brutal twist of justice by sending Lenny to face the Chechnyans, who torture him off-screen. With Lenny out of the picture, Archie takes over as the new power in the underworld.

Meanwhile, Johnny Quid is determined to get his life back together, and it’s revealed that he will return in a sequel called The Real RocknRolla (which unfortunately has never been made, despite promises). The Wild Bunch survive but remain small players in the grand scheme.

The movie ends with a strong sense of unfinished business, making audiences eager for more.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, RocknRolla does not have a post-credits scene. However, the ending explicitly teases a sequel (The Real RocknRolla), which serves as its own kind of post-credits promise.

Type of Movie

RocknRolla is a crime-comedy gangster film with plenty of dark humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and the interwoven storytelling style that Guy Ritchie is famous for.

Cast

Gerard Butler as One Two
Tom Wilkinson as Lenny Cole
Mark Strong as Archie
Thandiwe Newton as Stella
Idris Elba as Mumbles
Tom Hardy as Handsome Bob
Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid
Karel Roden as Uri Omovich
Jeremy Piven and Ludacris as Roman and Mickey (music producers)

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack is eclectic and cool, featuring a mix of rock, punk, and funk. Standout tracks include “Waiting for a Train” by Flash and the Pan and “I’m a Man” by Black Strobe. The score itself was composed by Steve Isles, perfectly complementing Ritchie’s gritty London aesthetic.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot primarily in London, using real urban backdrops to capture the raw, authentic vibe of the city’s criminal underworld. Places like King’s Cross, Hackney, and East London add texture and realism, grounding the stylized plot in a believable setting.

Awards and Nominations

While RocknRolla didn’t sweep major awards, it did receive recognition:

Nominated for Empire Award for Best British Film.
Won minor critics’ awards for Toby Kebbell’s performance as Johnny Quid.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Guy Ritchie returned to his roots with this film after the commercial failure of Swept Away.
Tom Hardy admitted he played Handsome Bob with a “flirty crush” on Gerard Butler, which made their scenes unexpectedly hilarious.
Gerard Butler signed on quickly because he wanted to work with Ritchie’s unique, fast-paced script style.
Toby Kebbell improvised parts of Johnny Quid’s manic personality, making the character stand out more than written.

Inspirations and References

The film is an original script by Guy Ritchie but heavily inspired by:

Classic British gangster lore.
Ritchie’s own earlier works like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
The chaotic London music scene, which shaped the character of Johnny Quid.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No major alternate endings were officially revealed, though there are a few extended character scenes in the deleted extras. The biggest “what if” remains the promised sequel, which would have expanded Johnny Quid’s arc.

Book Adaptations and Differences

RocknRolla is not based on a book. However, it borrows thematic DNA from British crime novels and pulp-style gangster stories.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Wild Bunch’s chaotic robbery of Uri’s money transport.
Johnny Quid playing piano in a drugged-out haze.
Handsome Bob’s emotional reveal to One Two.
Archie’s final power move against Lenny.

Iconic Quotes

Archie: “There’s no school like the old school, and I’m the f***ing headmaster.”
Johnny Quid: “They say the dead don’t speak. Well, if that’s the case, then I must be alive.”
One Two: “We’re the Wild Bunch!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The painting’s true subject is never revealed, symbolizing power and obsession.
Johnny Quid is partly inspired by real-life rock stars like Pete Doherty.
Ritchie uses repeated narration to connect RocknRolla to Snatch and Lock, Stock.

Trivia

Guy Ritchie planned The Real RocknRolla as part of a trilogy.
The role of Stella was originally offered to Charlize Theron.
The fight scene in the bar took three days to film due to Ritchie’s insistence on chaotic realism.

Why Watch?

If you love sharp dialogue, dark comedy, and the gritty London underworld, RocknRolla is a must-watch. It’s classic Guy Ritchie: stylish, fast, and unpredictable, with characters you can’t help but root for—even when they’re terrible people.

RocknRolla (2008)