Is Pain and Gain Based on a True Story? Know its Plot and Ending
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 25, 2023
Pain and Gain
Pain & Gain is a 2013 American crime comedy film directed by Michael Bay, with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. The movie revolves around a group of bodybuilders in Florida who get involved in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that ultimately goes awry. The film features a star-studded cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie.
The screenplay of the movie was written by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, and Pete Collins, and is based on a series of articles by Collins that were compiled into the book Pain & Gain: This Is a True Story, released at the same time as the movie. The film's title is a play on the common fitness adage "No pain, no gain."
Upon its release, Pain & Gain received mixed reviews, with praise for the screenplay but criticism for the excessive violence, directing, and historical inaccuracies. The movie grossed $86 million worldwide against a budget of $26 million.
Overall, Pain & Gain is a darkly comedic crime movie that showcases the incredible acting abilities of its cast while taking audiences on a wild and unpredictable ride through the seedy underworld of Florida's criminal underbelly.
Is Pain and Gain Based on a True Story?
Yes, Pain and Gain is based on a true story. The film is loosely based on a series of articles that ran in The Miami New Times in 1999, which detailed the crimes of The Sun Gym Gang, a group of bodybuilders who were involved in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that went terribly wrong. The story follows a trio of bodybuilders in Florida who conspired to kidnap a businessman, Marc Schiller, force him to sign over his life, and then kill him. However, the ordeal was much worse in real life than depicted in the film, and the real-life victims of the gang have criticized the movie for its inaccuracies and glorification of violence.
Businessman Marc Schiller was kidnapped and brutally tortured for a whole month by a criminal gang who eventually extorted millions of dollars from him. Schiller's story has been loosely adapted for a movie, but the real-life ordeal was far worse. In the movie, Mark Wahlberg plays Daniel Lugo, the gang's conniving leader. However, in reality, Schiller describes Lugo as a "lethal manipulator". Wahlberg's performance is mainly comedic and portrays Lugo as a tough guy.
Anthony Mackie plays Noel "Adrian" Doorbal, Lugo's meek partner in crime. In reality, Doorbal was a sadistic person who didn't like being pushed around and volunteered to kill Schiller twice. Dwayne Johnson's character is an amalgamation of three other men involved in the crime, including Jorge Delgado, Schiller's former business partner and the mastermind behind the kidnapping and extortion scheme.
The movie portrays the gang as a slapstick trio of steroid-fueled buffoons, but in reality, they were a dangerous combination of manipulation, muscle, and murderous intent. Delgado owned the warehouse where Schiller was taken after his abduction and subjected to horrific physical and mental abuse. The gang had no plans to kill Schiller until he blindly signed multiple documents, including one that granted Delgado power of attorney over all his business affairs and bank accounts. Schiller was forced to repeat scripted lines over the phone to his family and business partners while the gang listened in on an extension, holding a gun to his head.
Pain and Gain Plot
In 1994, bodybuilder and ex-con Daniel Lugo is hired as a manager by Sun Gym owner John Mese. Lugo befriends Adrian Doorbal, a fellow bodybuilder who has become impotent due to steroid use. Lugo becomes envious of the wealth and lifestyle of Victor Kershaw, one of his gym members whom he begins to train. Motivated by a motivational speaker, Lugo comes up with a plan to extort Kershaw for his assets. He convinces Doorbal to join in and manipulates another ex-con, Paul Doyle, who is struggling with drug use and trying to stay sober.
The gang, known as the "Sun Gym gang," kidnaps Kershaw and takes him to a small warehouse. Despite Kershaw's ability to identify Lugo, the gang goes ahead with their plan. Under duress, Kershaw makes calls to explain his absence and transfers his assets to Lugo. Mese is bribed to notarize documents in Kershaw's absence. After collecting Kershaw's money and assets, the gang attempts to kill him.
They stage a drunk driving crash, burn his car, and run him over. The gang members indulge in their newfound riches. Lugo takes over Kershaw's car and home and begins to assert himself in the local community. Doorbal marries Robin, the nurse treating his impotence. Doyle, after assaulting a priest who made unwanted advances on him, gives in to his vices and spends his money on cocaine and his new stripper girlfriend. Unbeknownst to the gang, Kershaw survives the attempt on his life and is hospitalized.
He tells the police, but they dismiss his story because of his manner, blood alcohol level, and his nationality from a country known for drug trafficking. Kershaw seeks the help of Ed Du Bois, III, a retired private investigator, who advises him to leave the hospital. Kershaw follows the advice and hides in a cheap motel. Du Bois tracks down the gang and meets Lugo, who becomes suspicious upon hearing Kershaw's name.
Pain and Gain Ending Explained
After Kershaw discovers his stolen money, he angrily calls Mese, which leads the gang to the motel where he's staying. However, Kershaw had already checked out by the time they arrive. The gang discovers that Kershaw has hired a private investigator, Du Bois, and plans to kidnap him. But their plan fails.
With their extravagant spending, Doyle and Doorbal plan another kidnapping with Lugo. They target Frank Griga, the owner of a phone sex operation, and his wife Krisztina Furton. While discussing a business proposal, a fight breaks out, and Griga and Krisztina are accidentally killed.
The gang dismembers the bodies and disposes of them in a swamp. Doyle, disturbed by the violence, leaves the gang and returns to the priest's church. The police learn of Griga and Krisztina's disappearances and plan to arrest the Sun Gym gang.
Doyle is arrested at the church, Doorbal at home, and Mese at the Sun Gym. Lugo flees on Kershaw's speedboat. The police catch him in the Bahamas as he attempts to steal the rest of Kershaw's money, which he had moved to an offshore account. Lugo is hit by Kershaw's car and finally arrested.
At the trial, Doyle gives a full confession incriminating Doorbal and Lugo. Robin, upon discovering her husband's criminal activities, also testifies against Doorbal. Lugo and Doorbal are sentenced to death, Doyle and Mese to 15 years. Doyle serves 7 years and converts back to Christianity while Mese dies in prison.
Is Pain and Gain Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, Pain and Gain is based on a true story that took place in Miami, Florida, in the 1990s.
The main actors in Pain and Gain are Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie, who play the roles of Daniel Lugo, Paul Doyle, and Adrian Doorbal, respectively.
Pain and Gain is a crime comedy-drama film that blends elements of dark humor, suspense, and action.
Pain and Gain received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its humor and performances, while others criticized its glorification of violence and the real-life crimes it was based on. The film was also a box office success, grossing over $86 million worldwide.
Pain and Gain is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, ambition, and the American Dream. It highlights how the pursuit of wealth and success can lead people down a path of self-destruction and moral decay, ultimately resulting in tragedy and loss.