Essex Boys is a 2000 British crime film directed by Terry Winsor and starring Sean Bean, Alex Kingston, and Tom Wilkinson. The movie is loosely based on the real-life Rettendon murders that occurred in 1995 in Essex, England. The plot revolves around the story of Billy Reynolds, a young man who wants to make it big in the criminal world and his association with Jason Locke, a recently released convict with a violent temper.
The movie begins with Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) landing a job with local crime boss, John Dyke (Tom Wilkinson). Dyke assigns Billy to look after Jason (Sean Bean), who has just been released from prison. However, Jason has his own agenda and wants to use Billy to learn the ropes of the criminal world. As Jason introduces Billy to the world of drugs, women, and the other joys of life, they become close friends.
Things take a turn for the worse when an ecstasy deal between the cartel and the Triads goes wrong. Jason becomes convinced that Dyke and his associates are responsible for the deal's failure and decides to take revenge. Meanwhile, Billy finds out about Jason's wife, Lisa (Alex Kingston), and starts a relationship with her.
As Jason's revenge plot unfolds, Billy finds himself caught in the middle of a dangerous game with no way out. Bodies start to pile up, and Billy realizes that he has to take matters into his own hands to protect himself and Lisa from Jason's wrath. The movie culminates in a violent and bloody showdown between the main characters, leading to a tragic ending.
Essex Boys is a gritty, intense, and violent movie that explores the dark underbelly of the criminal world. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the cast's performances and Winsor's direction, but some criticizing the film's portrayal of violence and its connection to real-life events. Regardless, it remains a cult classic among crime movie enthusiasts.