A Plot Synopsis of The Movie ‘Despicable Me 4’

Written by Michael Lee

*All Media used in this article is courtesy of Universal Pictures

Cast Interviews: ‘Despicable Me 4’

Video: Cast interviews featuring soundbites from actors Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Will Ferrell, and Sofia Vergara.

Movie Trailer: ‘Despicable Me 4’

Video via Universal Pictures

Plot Synopsis

Gru, an undercover agent of the AVL (Anti-Villain League), is at his old high school, Lycée Pas Bon, for a class reunion. It is here he reunites with one of his old classmates, Maxime Le Mal. The two have a troubled history; he has a deep-seeded feud with Gru for once stealing his school talent show act. During the reunion ceremony, Maxime Le Mal reveals that he has spent a majority of his life enhancing his body with cockroach body parts. Gru hears enough and has him immediately arrested by the Anti-Villain League.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Gru and his family get new identities | Video via Universal Pictures

Though Maxime isn’t held up for long. His longtime girlfriend, Valentina, helps Maxime escape from prison and it is here where he reveals his master-plan; a specialized cockroach gun that immediately turns the victim into a cockroach upon impact. Maxime reveals an even more dastardly plan: to turn Gru Jr. into a cockroach, finally cementing his revenge against Gru.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Gru and Poppy break into the office | Video via Universal Pictures

Then, a few days later, Silas Ramsbottom, the previously-retired director of the Anti-Villain League, decides to visit the Gru manor to inform them of Maxime’s prison escape and his intentions to harm Gru Jr. The AVL will now have to attempt to hide the Gru family, hiding them ala’ Witness Protection Program under brand new identities.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Gru tries to talk Agnes into lying | Video via Universal Pictures

Silas has the rest of the Minions taken in by the AVL and Silas chooses five Minions to be ‘experimented on’ with the intention of making them Mega-Minions, minions embolden with superhuman powers. Though, after destruction in a nearby city, Silas calls off the Mega Minion program.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Honey badger attacks | Video via Universal Pictures

Gru and family are now attempting to fit into their brand new community. The family are quickly introduced to their brand new neighbors, the Prescotts, along with their teenage daughter, Poppy. Poppy is immediately aware of Gru and his villainous past and it doesn’t take long for her to use this to her advantage; she threatens outing Gru of his true identity if he doesn’t help her steal Gru’s highschool, Lycée Pas Bon's honey badger mascot named Lenny.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Mega Minions in the break room | Video via Universal Pictures

They manage to steal Lenny, but the two do not realize that Lenny’s collar is being tracked. Principle Übelschlect immediately identifies Gru via security cam and then immediately contacts Maxime to inform him about Gru's whereabouts. When Gru and Lucy are at tennis practice, Principal Übelschlect makes his way to their safe house to interrogate the girls about Gru and his past.

Film Clip: ‘Despicable Me 4’ - Honey badger attacks | Video via Universal Pictures

Lucy and Gru are alerted by Margo of danger and the pair hurry back to the safehouse, only to find Principal Übelschlect. They engage in villainous combat. It is here where Lucy attempts to make contact with the AVL, who then ready Mega-Minions for battle against Maxime. It is here where Gru Jr. manages to wander off, unbeknownst to anyone. Maxime and Vaentina notice Gru Jr and immediately proceed to kidnap the child.

Then, Poppy attempts to help Gru finally engage with Maxime. She leads him right to Maxime and it is here where Gru finds out that he has turned Gru J. into a cockroach hybrid with the cockroach hybrid gun he's built, brainwashing him. The two engage and Gru manages to break Gru Jr. free of his brainwash in the meantime by simply speaking to his son. Gru and Gru Jr. attack Maxime only for him to be squashed by the Mega-Minions.

With Maxime defeated, Gru and family move back home. Gru Jr. is now finally reed of his cockroach-human hybridness by Dr. Nefario. After the dust settles, Gru decides to visit Maxime in prison where the two attempt to settle their score. Pleased at what they’ve managed to work out, the pair duet Tears for Fears classic “Everybody Wants to Rule The World’, as the AVL prisoners look on, overjoyed. The onlookers include the franchise’s past villains such as Vector, El Macho, Balthazar Bratt and Scarlet Overkill, to name a few.