Showdown

Showdown

Year: 1993

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Radler

Action

Ken moves from Kansas with his mother and befriends Julie at school, unaware that her boyfriend Tom is possessive. Tom trains in karate under Sensei Lee, whose brother was killed by rookie cop Billy, now the school janitor. After Tom beats Ken for talking to Julie, Billy teaches Ken self‑defense, sparking a student clash and a duel between two senseis.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Showdown (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Showdown (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set in a contemporary setting, the story spans roughly seven years between the opening party incident and the later school-year arc. The timeline emphasizes cause and consequences, showing how past decisions ripple into present events as characters confront violence, mentorship, and justice. The narrative uses this gap to explore resilience, courage, and redemption.

Location

Kansas, unnamed town

Originates in Kansas, where Ken and his mother relocate for a fresh start. The story then shifts to a new town that becomes the backdrop for Ken’s senior year, marked by a school, a gym, and a dojo at the heart of conflict. The juxtaposition of Kansas's broad horizons with the town's hidden violence frames the characters' choices.

🏙️ Urban 🧭 Small-town vibe

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

Main Characters – Showdown (1993)

Meet the key characters of Showdown (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Billy Grant (Billy Blanks)

A duty-driven former police officer whose restraint during a crowded party ends in a tragic death, leaving him haunted by guilt. He resigns to seek atonement, later returning as a janitor at the school and mentoring Ken. His arc centers on courage, responsibility, and the possibility of reform after a traumatic event.

⚖️ Duty 🕊️ Redemption 🛡️ Protector

Spinelli (Mike Genovese)

Billy's partner who aims to diffuse confrontations and stands by Billy's decisions. He helps document the illicit activities surrounding the dojo and remains a steady ally as danger grows.

🤝 Loyalty 🕵️‍♂️ Partner 🗂️ Documentation

Ken Marx (Kenn Scott)

A Kansas-born teen who moves to a new town for a fresh start, faced with senior-year pressures and bullying. Under Billy's mentorship, he develops discipline, grows in skill, and learns to stand up for Julie and others.

💪 Growth 🎯 Courage 🕊️ Hope

Julie (Christine Taylor)

The calm, observant love interest whose presence steadies Ken in tense moments. Her integrity and empathy encourage Ken to choose protection over violence and maintain his moral compass.

💖 Compassion 🧭 Stability ❤️ Support

Tom (Ken McLeod)

The senior bully whose relentless harassment acts as the catalyst for Ken's training and the school’s conflicts. Tom embodies the town's darker side, creating obstacles that Ken must overcome.

⚔️ Bullying 🔥 Aggression ⛓️ Obstacle

Lee (Patrick Kilpatrick)

The ruthless dojo leader, a former enforcer who commands illicit fights and instills fear. His regime threatens the community until Billy and Ken challenge his control.

👊 Ruthlessness 🗡️ Power 💣 Threat

Kate (Linda Dona)

Lee's right-hand who oversees the students and the dojo's finances. She represents how ambition and money can sustain corrupt operations while tempting others to join.

💼 Management 💰 Money 🧭 Ambition

Gina (Seidy López)

Rob's girlfriend who complicates the scheme, adding another layer of risk and loyalty to the illicit operation.

💃 Alliance 💳 Motive 🤝 Crime Link

Rob (Michael Cavalieri)

A coercive participant connected to the underground operation, using intimidation to keep others in line and profit from violence.

🕶️ Coercion 💰 Economic driver 🤝 Collaboration

Mike (John Asher)

Ken's new friend who cautions him about Julie but also provides support as Ken faces peer pressure and danger within the escalating conflict.

👦 Friend 🧭 Guidance 🗣️ Support

James (Nicholas Hill)

A hired figure simply named James who is sent to silence Billy, bringing heightened risk to everyone involved.

🗡️ Assassin 🕵️‍♂️ Hire ⚠️ Danger

Hit Man (James Lew)

A brutal killer hired to eliminate Billy, representing the deadly reach of the dojo's criminal network.

🔪 Hitman 💼 Contract ⚠️ Danger

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

Major Themes – Showdown (1993)

Explore the central themes of Showdown (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice & Redemption

Billy's guilt after a fatal incident drives his departure from the force and his search for atonement. Ken's evolution and his fight to protect Julie are framed as a chance to redeem past actions. The film asks whether justice can coexist with mercy and whether individuals can change through responsibility.

🧭 Mentorship

Billy's return as a janitor and mentor to Ken anchors the transformation. Spinelli and Mike provide guidance as the group uncovers the dojo's crimes. The mentor-mentee relationships reveal how discipline and support can empower resilience. The bond helps Ken choose courage over fear.

🗡️ Underground Fight

The dojo's illegal matches reveal a dangerous underworld profiting from violence. The fights blur lines between sport and exploitation, testing ethical boundaries. Kate's management and Lee's ruthlessness illustrate how power corrupts communities. The protagonists' efforts to expose the operation underscore the cost of courage.

⏳ Past Echoes

Seven years pass between the initial tragedy and the current events, shaping every decision. The past actions haunt Billy, Ken, and the town's leaders, influencing trust and risk. The narrative shows how choices ripple through communities, building resilience and justice.

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Violent Underdog Redemption Movies like Showdown

An unlikely hero trains for a final, violent showdown against a powerful bully.If you liked Showdown, explore more movies where a bullied underdog finds a mentor and trains for a violent, cathartic final showdown. These films deliver tense martial arts action, classic revenge arcs, and satisfying victories against bullies and powerful enemies, capturing that gritty 90s action vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is straightforward: an innocent protagonist is pushed to their limit by an aggressor, finds an unconventional mentor with a troubled past, endures a rigorous training montage, and ultimately faces their tormentor in a climactic, often tournament-style, fight where skill and spirit are tested.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a high-intensity, fast-paced structure built around physical conflict and the emotional payoff of seeing an underdog succeed. They blend tense action with themes of redemption, mentorship, and overcoming injustice, resulting in a decisively happy, cathartic ending.

Movies with an Unlikely Mentor-Protégé Duo like Showdown

A hardened outcast mentors a young student, forging a bond through combat.Fans of Showdown will enjoy these stories centered on the bond between a young student and a grizzled mentor. Discover similar movies where a janitor, wanderer, or retired expert trains a protégé to fight, blending intense action with a heartfelt, redemptive relationship dynamic that leads to a climactic battle.

mentor-studentdeterminedredemptivetenseaction-packedunlikely duocathartic

Narrative Summary

These films typically pair a character burdened by a dark past with a naive youth seeking strength. The narrative revolves around the transfer of skills and wisdom, often against the wishes of authority figures, culminating in a confrontation that forces the mentor to confront their own demons while the student proves their worth.

Why These Movies?

This grouping is defined by the central, transformative relationship between teacher and student. The shared mood is a mix of tense training sequences, emotional weight from the mentor's backstory, and an action-packed payoff, all driven by a fast-paced plot focused on their unique bond.

Unlock the Full Story of Showdown

Don't stop at just watching — explore Showdown 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 Showdown is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Showdown Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Showdown, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Showdown Summary

Showdown Timeline

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

Showdown Timeline

Showdown Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Showdown that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Showdown Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Showdown

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Showdown: 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 Showdown

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