A decades-long friendship tested by a relentless game of tag, culminating in emotional reconciliation.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Decades-Long Pursuit
The group initiates their final campaign to tag Jerry after decades of evasion. Rebecca Crosby joins as a journalist to document their journey.
Key Events
Decades-Long Tag Game Begins — The group initiates their annual May tag game in 1983. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Final Campaign Recruitment — Bob and Kevin are recruited for one last attempt to tag Jerry. Characters: Bob Callahan, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Journalist Assignment — Rebecca is assigned to write a feature article on the friends. Characters: Rebecca CrosbyLocation: New York
Arrival in Spokane — The group arrives in Spokane and locates Jerry. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Spokane
Initial Tag Attempt Fails — The group attempts to tag Jerry but is overwhelmed by his skill. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Spokane Deceptions
The gang arrives in Spokane and faces Jerry's elaborate traps and wedding-related distractions. Multiple failed attempts leave the group frustrated and trapped.
Key Events
Initial Tag Attempt Fails — The group attempts to tag Jerry but is overwhelmed by his skill. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Wedding Invitation Agreement — They agree to skip wedding events in exchange for invitations. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Rehearsal Dinner Confession — Jerry's fiancée reveals her pregnancy during the dinner. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Group Caught in Traps — Bob and Kevin are caught in Jerry's elaborate traps during an attempt. Characters: Bob Callahan, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Alcoholics Anonymous Strategy — The group plans to strike Jerry at his AA meeting on the wedding day. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Spokane
Confrontation in Wine Storage — Jerry retreats to the wine storage, trapping the group for hours. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Church
Wedding Crash & Confrontation
A fake miscarriage hoax leads the group to crash the wedding. Bob tackles the pastor during the ceremony, resulting in a hospitalization.
Key Events
Confrontation in Wine Storage — Jerry retreats to the wine storage, trapping the group for hours. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Church
Deceptive Miscarriage Hoax — Jerry fakes a miscarriage to escape the storage and leave with his fiancée. Characters: Jerry PierceLocation: Church
Wedding Post Revelation — The group discovers a bridesmaid's post proving the wedding is still on. Characters: Bob Callahan, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Spokane
Wedding Ceremony Crash — The gang crashes the wedding to confront Jerry about the lies. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Church
Pregnancy Hoax Exposed — Jerry's fiancée confirms the pregnancy and miscarriage were completely fabricated. Characters: Jerry Pierce, Bob CallahanLocation: Church
Hospitalizing Tackle — Bob charges at Jerry but tackles the pastor, losing consciousness. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry PierceLocation: Church
Hospital Reconciliation
Bob reveals his liver tumor confession, prompting Jerry to finally accept the tag. The group restarts the game with new rules and renewed friendship.
Key Events
Hospitalizing Tackle — Bob charges at Jerry but tackles the pastor, losing consciousness. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry PierceLocation: Church
Liver Tumor Revelation — Bob reveals he lied about Jerry quitting due to his own liver tumor. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Hospital
Decades-Long Tag Completed — Jerry finally allows Bob to tag him on the hospital bed. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin SableLocation: Hospital
New Game Rules Established — The group restarts the game with modified rules including new players. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Hospital
Real Group Tribute — Video clips show the real-life friends who inspired the film. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Credits
Final Tag During Credits — Jerry finally gets tagged during the movie credits. Characters: Jerry PierceLocation: Credits
Feature Article Publication — Rebecca completes her article documenting the friends' journey. Characters: Rebecca CrosbyLocation: New York
Friendship Reaffirmed — The group celebrates their renewed bond after the hospital reconciliation. Characters: Bob Callahan, Jerry Pierce, Kevin Sable, Rebecca CrosbyLocation: Hospital
Story Breakdown
Origins of the Game — The group establishes their annual May tradition in 1983, setting the stage for decades of pursuit.
1983 Inception — The initial game begins with ten friends playing in Spokane.
Annual May Tradition — The game becomes a yearly ritual with Jerry consistently evading capture.
Final Campaign Launch — The group mobilizes for one last attempt to tag Jerry before he retires.
Friend Recruitment — Bob and Kevin are recruited for the final campaign.
Reporter Involvement — Rebecca Crosby joins to document the group's journey.
Spokane Encounters — The gang arrives in Spokane and faces Jerry's defensive strategies.
Initial Tag Failure — The group's first attempt is thwarted by Jerry's superior skills.
Wedding Deal Agreement — They negotiate wedding invitations in exchange for game truce.
Jerry's Deceptions — Jerry employs elaborate traps and psychological tactics to maintain his status.
Elaborate Trap Setup — Jerry constructs physical traps to catch the pursuing group.
Fake Miscarriage Hoax — Jerry fabricates a medical emergency to escape confrontation.
Wedding Crisis — The group discovers the deception and crashes the wedding ceremony.
Post Revelation — A bridesmaid's social media post exposes the wedding is still on.
Ceremony Crash — The gang interrupts the wedding to confront Jerry directly.
Hospital Reconciliation — Bob's hospitalization leads to a heartfelt confession and game resolution.
Liver Tumor Confession — Bob reveals his health scare and emotional motivation for the game.
Final Tag Acceptance — Jerry finally allows Bob to tag him, ending the decades-long rivalry.
New Game Rules — The group adapts the game to include new players and celebrate their bond.
Rule Modification — Anna and Rebecca are officially added to the tag game.
Real Life Tribute — The film honors the real-life friends who inspired the story.
For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade. This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming...and he’s ready.
