48 Hrs.

48 Hrs.

Year: 1982

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Director: Walter Hill

ActionDramaThrillerComedyCrime

A hardened, rule-bending cop, Jack Cates, secures the release of convict Reggie Hammond for 48 hours to track down a dangerous criminal. The unlikely pair, a wisecracking bank robber and a volatile police officer, must work together as they chase a ruthless killer across San Francisco. Their contrasting personalities and methods create friction while they pursue a half-million-dollar reward and seek justice, facing danger and unexpected complications every step of the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen 48 Hrs. yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

48 Hrs. (1982) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of 48 Hrs. (1982), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

As Albert Ganz (a man well-versed in the realm of crime) orchestrates his bold escape from custody with the assistance of his partner-in-crime Billy Bear, the pair has their eyes fixed on San Francisco. Their initial objective: to eliminate Henry Wong, a former associate who has become too friendly for their liking. In pursuit of them is SFPD Inspector Jack Cates, alongside his reliable team members Inspectors Algren and Van Zant, who are hot on the heels of Ganz and Billy. The duo cleverly checks into a hotel under assumed identities, which turns into a deadly confrontation when the officers arrive. Caught off guard, they find themselves caught in a hail of bullets as Ganz and Billy strike first, resulting in Algren and Van Zant’s tragic demise as they flee with Inspector Cates’ service revolver in tow.

With reinstated determination and a replacement firearm gripped firmly in hand, Inspector Cates embarks on a mission to track down Reggie Hammond, a former accomplice of Ganz serving time for armed robbery. Their initial interaction behind bars is anything but ordinary, leading Cates to arrange for a 48-hour release for Reggie, hoping his insider knowledge can aid in the hunt for Ganz and Billy. Reggie quickly takes Cates to an apartment belonging to Luther Kelly, the last known ally of Ganz. Yet, the questioning at Luther’s place turns volatile as he opens fire, leaving Cates no choice but to arrest him instead of gaining any helpful intel.

Later that night, Reggie guides Cates through the unpredictable locale of Torchy’s, a no-holds-barred hangout where Billy once tended bar. Fueled by the inspector’s challenge, Reggie manages to establish order among the unruly patrons, using Cates’ badge as if it were his own. Their efforts only lead to a dead end, as they find Billy’s girlfriend, Casey, uncooperative, as she has severed ties with him. The simmering tensions between Reggie and Cates finally erupt into a fierce brawl, interrupted by the arrival of patrol officers. In a moment of clarity, Reggie unveils the tangled past he shares with Ganz, explaining how they were once partners in a $500,000 heist orchestrated against a drug dealer—a venture that ended with Ganz betraying Reggie and landing him behind bars. A new layer of motive emerges: Ganz and Billy are eager to kidnap Luther’s girlfriend, Rosalie, hoping to pressure Luther into complying with their criminal plans.

As the story unfolds, Luther attempts to retrieve a getaway vehicle while Jack and Reggie trail closely behind. They arrive at a Muni station just as Ganz gathers the stolen loot. However, when Luther spots Jack, he becomes apprehensive, prompting Ganz and Billy to make a swift escape after a cop is taken down in the process. In a frenetic chase, Reggie pursues Luther, leaving Jack with little more than his wits and a sense of impending doom. Returning to the police station empty-handed, Jack prepares to await Reggie’s call.

When the phone rings at last, Jack races over to Vroman’s nightclub in the Fillmore District, hoping to reconnect and mend fences with Reggie. In a moment of humility, Jack offers an apology for his prior jabs, lending Reggie some cash to stay at a hotel with Candy, a woman he just met. Just as Reggie exits with Candy, he spots Luther making a run for it and quickly alerts Jack.

However, chaos ensues when Luther hijacks a bus driven by Billy, delivering the stolen money to Ganz, who coldly dispatches Luther in a shocking turn of events—Rosalie’s fate remains dubious. With Jack and Reggie in hot pursuit, a thrilling car chase erupts in a frantic gunfight, culminating in a spectacle where Billy crashes Jack’s Cadillac through a dealership window. Defeated and disheartened by their inability to capture Ganz, Jack and Reggie find themselves facing their dismal failure.

At the precinct, Captain Haden unleashes a tirade on Jack, further denting his already fragile confidence. During this tumultuous time, Jack speculates that Billy might return to Casey’s residence, thinking it could be their next move. Joined by Reggie, they confront Casey, gaining entry after a short skirmish, resulting in Reggie’s final confrontation with Billy, leading to his downfall.

Ganz, however, slips away into the twisting alleys, abducting Reggie in the process. Jack springs into action, injuring Ganz before the situation escalates into a deadly confrontation, ending with a finish that sees Ganz meet his fate after multiple gunshots. With Reggie taken hostage, Jack visits Candy, leaving her with the money from Reggie’s car and requesting a loan for a convertible after his release. Reggie, despite the advice against falling back into old habits, humorously tries to swipe Jack’s lighter before they conclude their joint odyssey.

The duo, once adversaries, share a light-hearted moment before Jack drives Reggie back to prison, marking the somber closure of their tumultuous journey together.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 09:12

Unlock the Full Story of 48 Hrs.

Don't stop at just watching — explore 48 Hrs. in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what 48 Hrs. is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

48 Hrs. Timeline

Track the full timeline of 48 Hrs. with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

48 Hrs. Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in 48 Hrs.

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape 48 Hrs.. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in 48 Hrs.

More About 48 Hrs.

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about 48 Hrs.: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About 48 Hrs.

Similar Movies to 48 Hrs.

Discover movies like 48 Hrs. that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.