The Card Counter

Main Plot

"The Card Counter," directed by Paul Schrader, follows William Tell, a former military interrogator turned professional gambler. Haunted by his past actions at Abu Ghraib prison, Tell leads a solitary life, moving from one casino to another. His routine is disrupted when he meets Cirk, a young man seeking revenge against a mutual enemy. Cirk's father, also involved in the military, faced a tragic end due to the same man who trained Tell. Seeing a chance for redemption, Tell takes Cirk under his wing, hoping to steer him away from a path of vengeance. As they navigate the world of high-stakes poker, Tell grapples with his own guilt and the possibility of forgiveness. The film explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the moral complexities of justice.

Characters

• Oscar Isaac plays William Tell, a former military interrogator turned gambler, seeking redemption while mentoring a troubled young man and confronting his dark past.
• Tiffany Haddish plays La Linda, a financial backer who helps the protagonist, William Tell, by connecting him with high-stakes poker games to fund his quest for redemption.
• Tye Sheridan plays Cirk Baufort, a young man seeking revenge for his father's death, who partners with the protagonist to confront their shared past.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Paul Schrader's film "The Card Counter," the protagonist William Tell, a former military interrogator turned gambler, faces the consequences of his past actions. Throughout the movie, Tell is haunted by his involvement in torture at Abu Ghraib prison, which led to his imprisonment. He meets Cirk, a young man seeking revenge on Major John Gordo, the officer who trained Tell and remains unpunished for his role in the atrocities. Tell attempts to steer Cirk away from violence by offering to take him on the gambling circuit, hoping to provide a more constructive path. However, Cirk ultimately rejects Tell's guidance and proceeds with his plan to confront Gordo, resulting in his death. In the final scenes, Tell decides to take matters into his own hands. He visits Gordo's home, and after a tense confrontation, kills him. Accepting the inevitability of his actions, Tell returns to prison. The film closes with a poignant scene where La Linda, a woman who has grown close to Tell, visits him in prison. They touch hands through the glass, symbolizing a connection and a semblance of redemption amidst the darkness of Tell's past.