Rulers of Fortune Ending Explained: Does Profeta Become a Board Member?

Netflix’s ‘Rulers of Fortune’ or ‘Os Donos do Jogo’ delves into the intricate mysteries and power struggles within Rio de Janeiro’s criminal underworld related to gambling. The Brazilian crime drama series tells the story of Profeta, a young man determined to forge his own destiny amidst significant challenges in a new city. As a potential legalization of gambling creates a crisis for the city’s most formidable crime syndicate, a power vacuum emerges. Profeta seizes this opportunity to thrive and rise as a new player, navigating a chaotic landscape marked by betrayals, clever maneuvers, and the clash between foreign financial interests and local forces.

With shifting loyalties and multiple players in the ring, Rio’s gambling world faces a moment of chaos. As Profeta struggles with his ambitions, he also develops complex relationships with dangerous people who hide their own agenda. At the end of the narrative, the protagonist and the other players in the game find themselves in tricky situations, which could be the difference between defeat and triumph. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Rulers of Fortune Plot Synopsis

Profeta, an ambitious young man, runs casinos in Campos and supports his family, which includes his father, Nélio, and his two brothers, Nelinho and Esqueleto. He plans to aim higher and executes the theft of casino slot machines belonging to a powerful crime syndicate in Rio de Janeiro, headed by the Guerra family. Jorge Guerra, the patriarch, gives up control of the empire to his new son-in-law, Búfalo, who marries Suzana, the daughter of the boss. Búfalo finds out about his man Gerson’s mistakes in letting the slot machines be stolen. At the Guerra wedding party, Profeta establishes a connection with the reprimanded Gerson and also establishes a sexual relationship with Mirna, the younger daughter of Jorge. Meanwhile, a French businessman named Laurent also takes an interest in the Rio gambling scene and grows close to Leila, the wife of Galego, a vital member of the “board” of Brazil’s gangster bosses.

The Guerra family is also part of the board, which effectively controls the business of crime. Leila informs Profeta that the stolen machines belonged to the board, which worries the latter. Esqueleto pursues a romantic relationship with a man named Sombra. Profeta tries to make a discreet deal with Gerson, but Búfalo kills the latter. Búfalo finds out about Profeta and takes him hostage, but the latter convinces the former that he can double the profits if given a chance to run the slot machine business. Laurent attempts to secretly fund Leila to gain an advantage over the Guerras. Leila secretly lends some money to Profeta to establish a connection with him, with the ultimate goal of making him a member of the board. Leila pursues an affair with Laurent, which becomes complicated due to the financial implications of their business dealings. Profeta secretly commands Nelinho to attack Búfalo, causing chaos.

Nelinho and Profeta mask up and steal money belonging to the Guerras. It is revealed that Profeta is an outsider adopted by Nélio, and is not related by blood to Nelinho and Esqueleto. Mirna and Profeta grow closer, as they also plan to collaborate to get board seats. Profeta and Nelinho steal from Búfalo’s warehouse to further damage his business. In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Leila is Profeta’s biological mother, which is why she’s helping him. Santiago, Leila, and Galego’s son gets into trouble due to his financial dealings with Esqueleto. This also affects Profeta’s plans, putting them at risk of aggression from Galego. Búfalo finds out that Profeta is the one who has been secretly targeting his business, which changes the game. Mirna claims to the board that she is engaged to Profeta and that Búfalo and Suzana are unfairly targeting them. Búfalo tries to get Profeta killed, but fails.

To protect Profeta and hide secret financial transactions, Leila discreetly kills Laurent, the French businessman. Mirna and Profeta get married to legitimize their group. This leads to a confrontation between Profeta and Búfalo, who become the bosses of opposing sides in the gangster war. The two groups target each other’s facilities and slot machines to prove a point. Jean Luc, Laurent’s boss, comes to Rio to handle the French business. At a Samba event, Mirna and Suzana fight over their loyalties. Profeta discovers that Esqueleto’s boyfriend, Sombra, is secretly selling slot machines, prompting him to abandon the relationship. Sombra teams up with Búfalo to take revenge, but is killed by Profeta for betrayal.

Esqueleto is heartbroken after the killing of his boyfriend. Meanwhile, Profeta raids Búfalo’s gym to confiscate hidden weapons and cause an arson incident. This leads to Búfalo being questioned by the cops. Galego calls a board meeting, where Profeta and Búfalo are told to establish peace. Jorge Guerra passes away, and the funeral becomes a focal point for major players. Profeta survives an attempted assassination by Búfalo’s men, but the Guerra confidant Riva dies instead. Profeta and Mirna attempt to persuade Suzana to betray her husband and join them instead, hoping to divide the territories. Suzana agrees to help them and be part of a plan to kill her husband.

Rulers of Fortune Ending: How and Why Does Profeta Become a Board Member?

Profeta goes through enormous challenges to pursue his goal of achieving a position of power in the gambling underworld. One of his most clever moves takes place towards the end of the narrative, where he successfully plans the killing of Búfalo. Initially, Profeta and Mirna try to get Suzana on their side to end Búfalo’s rule, but she betrays them. When Búfalo drives towards the carnival event, he is shot to death by Profeta’s masked assailants, bringing his rule over the Guerra family to a violent end. Profeta also establishes a stronger connection with his wife, Mirna, giving him greater legitimacy within the crime syndicate. The board members deal with the aftermath of Búfalo’s death and also discuss the protagonist Profeta’s role in the future.

However, one victory doesn’t guarantee the protagonist a seat at the board. He tries to convince his wife that her sister, Suzana, too, must be out of the picture for them to truly rule the world. With Suzana trying to signal her prominent presence, she poses a significant threat. Another challenge confronts Profeta, who is blackmailed by Emerson, a corrupt cop hired by Búfalo earlier in the narrative. Emerson threatens to leak the video of a young boy revealing that Profeta was involved in the killing of a truck driver. This puts the protagonist’s plan to finally get a board seat at risk. By using a source from the police department, the protagonist, with Nelinho’s help, finds out Emerson’s identity. This enables Profeta and Nelinho to track down Emerson, who is found at an isolated spot.

They find out that the corrupt cop planned to meet Suzana. They use his phone to set up a meeting with Suzana and then kill him. Meanwhile, Coelho, a board member, tells Mirna at the carnival Samba competition that Profeta is being offered a seat on the board. Nelinho and Profeta blackmail Suzana successfully, ordering her to leave the city. This is the final step that ensures Profeta’s safety. The most glorious moment in Profeta’s life comes towards the very end of the narrative, where he is greeted by the board members and acknowledged as a member. It is clearly shown that he is accepted as the new leader of the Guerra family and will be the most powerful gangster in Rio. Thus, Profeta is able to rise to the top of the crime world, despite being an outsider of humble origins.

Why Does Xavier Kill Himself? Does Profeta Find Out Leila’s Truth?

Xavier lives a tough life due to his mental health concerns and loss of ambition. Despite his brother Galego’s efforts to cheer him up, he is troubled by having no purpose to live for. He learns the secret that Leila is actually Profeta’s biological mother. He confronts her privately during the carnival event and tells her the truth. Leila is shocked at first, but tries to calm down. Xavier also feels guilty about the fact that he spared baby Profeta’s life all those years ago. He threatens to tell the truth to Galego, but she shows no fear. Leila challenges Xavier to reveal the truth, saying that Galego would believe her instead. With his mental health getting worse, Xavier reaches a point of no return. He then writes a letter to Galego and seals it in an envelope, after which he takes multiple pills and alcohol, causing his death in the hotel room.

His death occurs tragically, leaving him alone and uncared for. When Leila finds out that he has killed himself, she suspects that he may have done something to tell Galego the truth. Before reaching the hotel, Leila calls Profeta and tells him to discreetly go to the hotel room and secure any evidence he may have against her. Profeta reaches the hotel room before Galego, Leila, and Santiago. He finds the letter and then leaves unnoticed by the family.

The family members tragically take a look at Xavier’s body. Profeta goes to the beach and reads the suicide note, in which Xavier talks about his dullness in life and also the truth about Leila. In a shocking moment, Profeta finds out that Leila is his biological mother. However, he chooses not to reveal the letter or the truth to Leila and chooses to pursue a formal relationship with her instead. He realizes that family is a trap and will be an inherent weakness when he becomes more powerful in the city.

Does Suzana Leave Rio? Why?

Suzana, throughout the narrative, relishes her position as Jorge Guerra’s daughter. She shows that she desires authority and control, which is also one of the reasons behind her marrying Búfalo. However, Búfalo’s death leaves her in a vulnerable state. She establishes contact with Emerson to gain information about Profeta, but he is killed before she can achieve anything. Suzana is lured into a trap by Profeta and Nelinho, who kidnap her and take her to a secluded spot to execute their plan. Profeta threatens to take her life, but chooses not to due to the fact that she is family. Suzana tries to convince him not to separate her from her sister Mirna, but fails to do so. It is at this moment that Profeta orders Suzana to leave the city forever, and also promises to send her a monthly income for the same.

She tries desperately to convince him again, but he shows no signs of mercy. It is established by the narrative that Búfalo’s death actually compromised her position within the crime world. Though the board appears to be friendly towards her, she is not in a position to get anything more than a symbolic role, as her sister now holds power. Due to these elements and Profeta’s threats, Suzana finally agrees to leave Rio.

Does Santiago Take Control of the Samba School? Do Nelinho and Tamires Get Together?

The Samba school run by Xavier and Galego is a point of pride for the Fernandez family, as it signifies their involvement in the local cultural affairs. The influence of the school also stems from the fact that it takes part in the Rio Carnival. Santiago, Galego’s son, faces a difficult life as he tries to prove himself to his parents. Xavier becomes an unexpected savior to Santiago. He makes it known that he wishes for his nephew Santiago to take control of the Samba school. Though this appears to shock Galego, he still accepts, as he respects the wishes of his brother. Despite Xavier’s death, shocking everyone, Santiago is hurt the most, as he enjoyed a deep bond with his uncle. At the board meeting, Galego announces that the Samba school will be run by Santiago, and this is approved by the members.

Leila also stands strong with her son and helps him realize his value. Nelinho is a man of few emotions. He usually keeps people at a distance and doesn’t care much about socializing. Tamires is a local girl who handles some of the business outlets belonging to Búfalo, and she develops a complex equation with Nelinho. The two develop a professional relationship, which gets complicated when Tamires asks Nelinho if she can stay at his house for a few days. She faces familial issues, which makes her seek Nelinho’s help. Despite initially hesitating, Nelinho lets her stay at his house.

Though the narrative doesn’t explicitly reveal that Tamires has romantic feelings for Nelinho, she takes an interest in him and also tries to get close to him on an emotional level. At the end of the narrative, Nelinho wholeheartedly agrees to let Tamires stay at his house. Their chemistry and the way in which they interact with each other at this point suggest that they might be pursuing a closer relationship.