Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) stands as cinema’s most audacious examination of unchecked American greed, chronicling stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s meteoric rise and fall. Released to both acclaim and controversy, the film follows Leonardo DiCaprio’s tour-de-force performance as Belfort, whose journey from eager Wall Street newcomer to head of corrupt brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont epitomizes 1990s financial excess. Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Scorsese’s three-hour epic portrays a world where morality is sacrificed for wealth—where drugs, prostitution, and fraud become fundamental components of a lifestyle built on manipulation.
Based on Belfort’s memoir, the film traces his career from his experience at L.F. Rothschild under Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey), through 1987’s Black Monday crash, to his reinvention in penny stocks that spawned Stratton Oakmont. What follows is a dizzying exploration of debauchery as Belfort’s empire grows—with dwarf-tossing, office orgies, and drug binges—while the FBI investigates his fraudulent operation. Despite its unflinching depiction of reprehensible behavior, the film sparked debate about whether it glorifies or condemns its protagonist, with Scorsese’s refusal to moralize leaving viewers to confront their own reactions to Belfort’s intoxicating pursuit of the American Dream.
Wall Street Career Beginnings
The Wolf of Wall Street opens with our protagonist, Jordan Belfort, who has just landed a job as a trainee stockbroker at L.F. Rothschild. On his first day, Jordan receives a briefing on his duties, which essentially involve spending hours on the phone cold-calling potential clients, attempting to persuade them to purchase stocks and invest their money through his firm. As Jordan’s first day unfolds, he encounters a senior broker named Mark Hanna. Mark is a seasoned professional who already commands substantial earnings from trading well-established stocks.
While his colleagues are busy working the phones and reaching out to prospective investors, Jordan finds himself completely mesmerized by the office dynamics until his supervisor eventually reprimands him for daydreaming instead of making calls. During lunch, Mark provides Jordan with invaluable insights into the world of stockbroking—everything from effective client communication techniques and profit-maximizing strategies to the industry’s shadowy underbelly. Mark also introduces Jordan to the extravagant lifestyle that accompanies success in their field, complete with drugs, alcohol, and casual encounters.
Within a few months, Jordan evolves into an accomplished broker capable of generating significant revenue. However, on October 19, 1987, the American stock market experiences what becomes known as Black Monday—a catastrophic plunge in stock prices with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting by 22.6% in just one day, marking the largest single-day percentage drop in history. This financial disaster forces Jordan’s employer, L.F. Rothschild, into bankruptcy, leaving all employees, including Jordan, without jobs.
In the aftermath of Black Monday, we witness a conversation between Jordan and his wife, Teresa Petrillo (Cristin Milioti). When Teresa suggests pawning her engagement ring to make ends meet during Jordan’s unemployment, he firmly refuses, declaring his intention to become a millionaire before returning to the newspaper to search for job opportunities.
Eventually, Jordan secures an interview at a small brokerage firm, vastly different from his previous employer. During the interview, the owner explains that they exclusively deal in penny stocks—extremely low-valued shares—primarily selling to middle and working-class investors such as mail carriers, plumbers, and similar blue-collar workers.
Rise of the Wolf
Jordan is astonished to discover the potential for enormous earnings at this modest firm, as they offer a staggering 50% commission on all sales. This commission structure means that selling USD 10,000 worth of stocks would net him a personal profit of USD 5,000. Upon being hired, Jordan immediately makes his first call to a potential investor. As he engages with the prospect, his colleagues watch in awe at his persuasive abilities, and within minutes, Jordan successfully sells USD 4,000 worth of shares—earning himself USD 2,000 in commission in less than five minutes.
After working there for a few months, Jordan had amassed enough wealth to purchase a luxury car. While enjoying coffee at a local diner, he was approached by a man named Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill), who lived in the same apartment building. Intrigued by Jordan’s obvious financial success, Donnie inquired about his profession and monthly earnings. When Jordan revealed that he worked as a stockbroker making USD 70,000 monthly, Donnie made him an offer: if Jordan could provide proof of his income, Donnie would quit his current job on the spot to work with him.
After Jordan produced his pay stub, Donnie immediately called his employer and resigned. Jordan and Donnie made plans to work together at the penny stock firm before eventually launching their own brokerage. Before diving into business matters, however, Donnie offered Jordan drugs. Though initially reluctant, Jordan gave in to the pressure and agreed to try “just one hit.” The effect was immediate—Jordan experienced an intense surge of energy and, unfortunately, quickly developed a dependency on the illicit substance.
Jordan soon left his employer and secured a suitable location for his new venture—initially just a converted auto repair shop. He recruited several friends to join his fledgling company, and during their first meeting, Jordan demonstrated sales techniques by asking his friend Brad Bodnick (Jon Bernthal) to practice selling a pen. Within months, Jordan’s company had successfully moved significant volumes of penny stocks, allowing him to purchase a diamond necklace for his wife. Seeking greater legitimacy and hoping to attract more affluent clients, Jordan christened his firm “Stratton Oakmont.”
He meticulously trained his staff in both legitimate and questionable sales tactics, personally demonstrating his approach by effortlessly selling USD 10,000 worth of stock during a single call. As the business flourished, Stratton Oakmont expanded to larger offices, though not quite reaching Wall Street proper. A profile in Forbes magazine labeled Jordan “The Wolf of Wall Street,” describing him as “a sort of twisted Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of brokers.”
Fame, Fortune and Naomi
Paradoxically, this notorious exposure in a prominent magazine triggered a flood of job applications to Stratton Oakmont. As time progressed, the firm continued its explosive growth while maintaining its notoriously lax workplace policies, which permitted open drug use and sexual activity on the premises. Jordan deliberately fostered this uninhibited environment with the calculated belief that contented employees would ultimately prove more productive.
Explore More:
With his newfound fortune, Jordan hosted an extravagant party at his recently acquired beachfront mansion. There, he became instantly captivated by Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie), a friend of one of his employees, despite being married. Jordan managed to obtain Naomi’s phone number and invited her to dinner at an upscale restaurant before driving her back to her apartment. That night marked the beginning of their intimate relationship, and Jordan soon began seeing Naomi with increasing frequency.
Later, Jordan’s wife, Teresa, caught him with Naomi in the back of a limousine. The compromising situation, regardless of the exact act interrupted, was undeniable and led directly to a confrontation and Jordan’s subsequent divorce. Following the separation, he moved in with Naomi, and they soon married. At their lavish wedding reception, which reportedly cost nearly USD 2 million, Jordan was introduced to Naomi’s British aunt, Emma (Joanna Lumley). As a wedding gift, he presented Naomi with a luxury yacht named in her honor.
Eighteen months later, Jordan enjoyed an extremely luxurious lifestyle, complete with a stunning mansion, a beautiful wife, and a daughter named Skylar (Giselle Eisenberg). However, his penchant for infidelity and substance abuse caused frequent arguments with Naomi, which became part of Jordan’s daily routine before heading to Stratton Oakmont as its commanding CEO.
Despite his numerous vices, including womanizing and drug use, Jordan possessed remarkable public speaking abilities. This was evident whenever he addressed his employees, inspiring tremendous enthusiasm and motivation with his powerful rhetoric. Eventually, Jordan was summoned by his lawyer, who informed him that the FBI was investigating his company. The investigation centered on Stratton Oakmont’s questionable stock offerings and the illegal appropriation of significant investor funds.
Legal Troubles Begin
Jordan invited FBI Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler), who was leading the investigation into his company, aboard his yacht. During their conversation, Jordan attempted to bribe Denham with USD 500,000. Denham firmly declined the offer and promptly left the yacht. Frustrated by his failed bribery attempt, Jordan hurled money at Denham and his colleague as they walked away. He then realized that continuing to keep his assets in American banks would eventually allow authorities to track and seize his wealth.
Subsequently, Jordan and several associates flew to Switzerland to explore banking options there, having learned that Swiss banks were renowned for their confidentiality and could potentially shield his fortune from US authorities. In short, Jordan found himself at the Swiss Bank consulting with its director, Jean-Jacques Saurel (Jean Dujardin). Jean explained that to keep his fortune beyond the FBI’s reach, Jordan would need to open an account under someone else’s name—specifically a foreign national outside U.S. jurisdiction. Jordan immediately thought of Aunt Emma and approached her.
Using his exceptional persuasive abilities, he convinced Emma to open a Swiss Bank account, leveraging her status as a British citizen residing in London rather than Switzerland. Having secured Emma’s cooperation, Jordan and his associates devised a plan to transfer cash from America to Switzerland without alerting authorities. To move the money, Jordan recruited individuals holding European passports, including Brad’s wife Chantalle (Katarina Cas) and her mother, to act as cash couriers. These couriers made multiple trips, smuggling over USD 20 million hidden in luggage into Switzerland without alerting authorities.
When Donnie decided to store his own wealth in the Swiss Bank, he planned to entrust his cash-filled suitcase to Brad for delivery to Chantalle. The situation quickly deteriorated when an intoxicated Donnie got into a public argument with Brad, drawing the attention of local police. When Donnie’s suitcase fell open, revealing bundles of cash, Brad was arrested while Donnie managed to escape. Fearing Jordan’s wrath, Donnie offered him some powerful Quaaludes, knowing Jordan’s addiction to the drug. They each took one, but feeling no immediate effect, continued consuming more.
When the drugs finally hit them all at once, Jordan became severely incapacitated, barely able to move or speak. During this impaired state, Jordan received an urgent call from his lawyer warning that Brad was in custody and that the FBI had wiretapped all phones at Jordan’s office and residence. Despite his compromised condition, Jordan attempted to drive his Lamborghini Countach to a nearby payphone to contact his lawyer. Though Jordan believed he had navigated home safely without incident, it was later revealed that, while heavily intoxicated, he had completely demolished his vehicle by colliding with numerous parked cars and traffic signs.
Shortly thereafter, police arrived at Jordan’s estate in response to the havoc he had caused on the road. They questioned him but were unable to press charges without concrete evidence placing him behind the wheel. Subsequently, Jordan retained two lawyers to address his mounting legal troubles and secure Brad’s release from jail. Some time later, while cruising on his yacht, Jordan received devastating news from Naomi that Aunt Emma had passed away. This revelation stunned Jordan, as his USD 20 million remained in a Swiss bank account under Emma’s name.
He immediately contacted Jean-Jacques, who assured him that he had already falsified documents designating Jordan as Aunt Emma’s heir. Jean-Jacques instructed Jordan to come to Switzerland as soon as possible to sign these documents. Jordan promptly ordered his yacht’s captain to set course for Monaco. The captain cautioned him about an impending major storm, but Jordan dismissed these warnings and insisted they depart immediately. As predicted, a ferocious storm struck during their journey, ultimately destroying the yacht. Fortunately, everyone survived thanks to a timely rescue operation.
Arrest and Aftermath
After the ordeal, Jordan successfully completed his transactions at the Swiss bank. While filming a financial motivational advertisement later, Denham and his team suddenly appeared and arrested Jordan on charges of money laundering and securities fraud. Since his case remained under FBI investigation, he was released to house arrest with strict conditions: no alcohol, no drugs, and an ankle monitor to restrict his movements. The authorities offered Jordan a deal: provide a comprehensive list of his business associates involved in the stock fraud scheme in exchange for a reduced sentence. Without cooperation, he faced up to 20 years in prison.
Upon learning Jordan faced a potential 20-year prison sentence, Naomi informed him she was divorcing him and seeking full custody of their daughter. They shared one brief, final intimate moment before she confirmed her decision. Overwhelmed with emotion, Jordan shouted at Naomi and even struck her. He then frantically tore apart their sofa to retrieve hidden drugs, which he immediately consumed. In his altered state, Jordan took his sleeping child and attempted to flee in his car, only to crash into the estate’s gate—a sobering moment that made him realize the selfishness of his actions.
The following day, Jordan decided to cooperate with the FBI. Equipped with a recording device, he was tasked with gathering evidence against his associates at his own office. Upon arrival, his employees greeted him warmly. During a conversation with Donnie, Jordan discreetly passed him a note reading, “Don’t implicate yourself. I’m wearing a wire,” attempting to shield his friend from prosecution. Later, FBI Agent Denham confronted Jordan at his residence, revealing he had found the warning note Jordan slipped to Donnie. This act violated the terms of Jordan’s cooperation agreement.
Cornered, and with his deal potentially voided, Jordan finally provided the FBI with a full and detailed list of his accomplices involved in the illicit activities. All of Jordan’s associates were subsequently arrested. Jordan himself received a 36-month prison sentence for securities fraud and money laundering. Years later, following his release from prison, Jordan reinvented himself as a prominent motivational speaker. In the film’s final scene, he appears at a sales training event where he challenges participants to sell him a pen, bringing the story full circle.
