Netflix's new Spanish action film, "Collision Course" (also known as "Colisión"), has captured global attention for its complex narrative structure and surprising plot twists. Directed by Daniel Sanchéz Arévalo, the film employs a non-linear storytelling approach, reminiscent of "Run Lola Run," to explore the ramifications of a bank heist.
The movie opens with a textual explanation setting the scene in 2013, detailing how Spanish banks sold complex financial products to ordinary citizens, leading many to lose their savings and homes, and ultimately requiring a state bailout of over 60 billion Euros. The story then follows Ernesto, a bank worker, who is unwittingly drawn into a bank robbery orchestrated by a team of four individuals: Pedro, Tomás, Carla, and Raúl.
The Heist and Its Immediate Aftermath
The heist targets a specific safety deposit box, with the initial plan to retrieve diamonds. However, the diamonds are not found, and the robbers settle for other valuables. During their escape, chaos erupts when Tomás accuses Pedro of stealing the diamonds. This confrontation leads to a car accident that kills Pedro. The film then reveals that the robbers are, in fact, police officers: Pedro was a retired sergeant, Raúl is his son, Carla is a lieutenant, and Tomás is an evidence examiner. It is also revealed that Carla and Tomás are married, and Carla is having an affair with Raúl, with plans to elope.
As the police investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Ernesto, the banker, was complicit and in contact with a mysterious sixth accomplice. The stolen diamonds, which Pedro had indeed taken for himself, are recovered by the authorities from the burned getaway car. Pedro's body is identified, and the police begin to close in on Raúl, who subsequently flees.
Exploring Alternate Timelines
At this point, "Collision Course" shifts its structure dramatically. The narrative rewinds to the car crash, presenting different outcomes based on who dies in the accident. The film unfolds through four distinct timelines, each initiated by a different fatality:
Timeline 1: Raúl Dies
In this version, Pedro claims his son Raúl was trying to help him when the heist went wrong. Pedro confesses he was ensnared in a bad loan. He hides the diamonds in his son's casket, but is later arrested after his boot print is discovered at the bank. Carla's supervisor, Luis, uncovers her affair with Raúl and her involvement, leading to her arrest.
Timeline 2: Carla Dies
Here, Tomás becomes the primary suspect. Luis reveals the bank targeted was the same one that financially harmed Tomás and Carla. Tomás confronts Raúl about the affair, learning that Carla was pregnant, though the paternity remains uncertain, as Raúl claims he cannot have children.
Timeline 3: Tomás Dies
Pedro again secretly takes the diamonds. Carla gives Tomás's share of the money to Raúl and reveals her pregnancy to him, though the father is unknown. Ernesto, the banker, receives an extra share to deliver to the secret sixth accomplice. Pedro discovers the diamonds are fake, realizing the owner of the safety deposit box likely swapped them out for insurance fraud. Pedro follows the diamond owner and sees him meeting with Lola, a barista who aided the police. Lola is revealed to be the sixth accomplice, and she swallows the diamonds.
Timeline 4: No One Dies
In the final timeline, the robbers successfully escape. As they drive away, they pass a billboard for the bank, hinting at the possibility of their success but leaving the ultimate outcome ambiguous. The film ends with the robbers driving off, leaving many questions unanswered about their fate and the true nature of the diamonds and the heist.
The film deliberately leaves many plot threads unresolved, suggesting that the focus is on character exploration through the various potential outcomes rather than a definitive conclusion. This narrative choice invites viewers to engage with the story's ambiguities and form their own interpretations. The movie is currently the number one trending film in 25 countries on Netflix.