Danny Lupo (Mark Wahlberg), manager of the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami, decides that there is only one way to achieve his version of the American dream: extortion. To achieve his goal, he recruits musclemen Paul (Dwayne Johnson) and Adrian (Anthony Mackie) as accomplices. After several failed attempts, they abduct rich businessman Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub) and convince him to sign over all his assets to them. But when Kershaw makes it out alive, authorities are reluctant to believe his story.
Pain & Gain is a 2013 American comedy crime film directed by Michael Bay and starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie. The film reunites wrestlers Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Angle. The film is loosely based on a story Pete Collins published in a 1999 series of Miami New Times articles and compiled in the book Pain & Gain: This Is a True Story (2013), which details the kidnapping, extortion, torture, and murder of several victims by an organized group of criminals comprising bodybuilders affiliated with the Sun Gym.^[4][5] The film’s title is a play on the common adage, frequently used in fitness: “No pain, no gain”.

Released on April 11, 2013, Pain & Gain received mixed reviews; critics praised the acting, script, and comedic chemistry among the main actors, but criticized the violence, directing, and historical inaccuracies. Against a $35 million budget, the film grossed $86 million worldwide.^[6] While the film tied with Grown Ups 2 for 3rd place on the Village Voice Film Poll’s Worst Film list,^[7] Dwayne Johnson placed 10th for Best Supporting Actor.