Story Overview

Lord of War tells the chilling rise of Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), a sharp-witted and opportunistic immigrant who discovers his true talent in the world of illegal arms dealing. Starting with small-time transactions, Yuri rapidly builds a global weapons empire, selling arms to anyone willing to pay, regardless of ideology, morality, or consequences.

With the reluctant help of his younger brother Vitaly (Jared Leto), Yuri navigates post–Cold War conflict zones, exploiting political chaos and international loopholes. His success is driven by intelligence, timing, and an unshakable belief that someone else will always sell the weapons if he does not.

Relentlessly pursuing him is an idealistic Interpol agent, Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke), who understands the system well enough to know how difficult it is to stop men like Yuri. As Yuri reaches the peak of his power, he begins to realize that the true cost of his business is not measured in money, but in human lives, responsibility, and irreversible loss.

Blending dark satire with political realism, Lord of War delivers a provocative exploration of global arms trafficking, moral compromise, and the uncomfortable truth behind modern warfare.