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Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2005 · 109 min · English
JustWatch #20,655 4
Directed by
Jean-François Richet
Starring
Laurence Fishburne
Budget
$30M

On New Year's Eve, a police sergeant and a small group of officers and convicts find themselves trapped inside Precinct 13. A ruthless gang of corrupt officers descends upon the station, intending to destroy the building and everyone inside. Forced to confront a common enemy, the sergeant must find a way to forge an uneasy alliance between the cops and the criminals to survive the escalating violence and uncover the truth behind the attack.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Assault on Precinct 13
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

Where can you watch Assault on Precinct 13? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Starz and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Assault on Precinct 13 Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Assault on Precinct 13 (2005), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Sergeant Jake Roenick

    Sergeant Roenick is a haunted figure burdened by past failures, particularly the loss of his teammates in a botched operation. His resilience is tested as he navigates betrayal and chaos, ultimately taking on a leadership role to unite the precinct's occupants. Roenick's character showcases a blend of vulnerability and strength in a crisis.

    • 👮‍♂️ Officer
    • 😔 Troubled Past
  • Marion Bishop

    played by Laurence Fishburne

    Marion Bishop is a formidable crime lord thrust into a precarious situation when his transportation leads him to the precinct. His sharp intellect and determination are pivotal as he strives to navigate the assault and protect himself from corrupt associates. Despite his criminal background, Bishop reveals layers of complexity, showcasing a character capable of both ruthless decisions and unexpected loyalty.

    • 🦁 Crime Lord
    • 🧠 Strategic
  • Jasper

    Jasper, a seasoned officer, provides a stabilizing presence amid chaos. However, he ultimately reveals himself as a betrayer, orchestrating attempts to sabotage the survival of others. His character arc serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of misplaced trust within the law enforcement community.

    • 👮‍♂️ Officer
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Betrayer
  • Iris

    Iris acts as the secretary at Precinct 13 and embodies resilience and hope in dire circumstances. She supports her colleagues and ultimately becomes a crucial part of the survival efforts. Her presence underscores the importance of human connection even in the face of overwhelming odds.

    • 👩‍💼 Secretary
    • ✊ Resilient
  • Alex

    Alex is a psychiatrist who steps into the chaos with bravery, showcasing her determination to protect those around her. Her character stands as a symbol of defiance against authority and an unwavering belief in survival despite the odds stacked against her. Alex's demise is a poignant moment that emphasizes the high cost of courage.

    • 👩‍⚕️ Psychiatrist
    • 🚀 Brave

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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Setting

Where and When Does Assault on Precinct 13 Take Place?

The setting of Assault on Precinct 13 (2005): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

New Year's Eve

The movie takes place on New Year's Eve, a time often associated with celebration and new beginnings. However, the atmosphere is transformed into one of danger and betrayal as the year comes to a close. The impending dawn symbolizes hope, contrasting sharply with the turmoil present within the precinct.

Location

Detroit

Detroit, known for its rich history and as the birthplace of the automotive industry, serves as the backdrop for this tense narrative. The story unfolds at Precinct 13, the city's oldest police station, which plays a pivotal role in the unfolding chaos. In a stark setting overshadowed by a snowstorm, it becomes a battleground between law enforcers and corrupted officials.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🚔 Police Station

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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3 major themes

Assault on Precinct 13 Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a central theme as alliances form and dissolve amid chaos. The revelation of corrupt police officers orchestrating the assault highlights the treachery within the law itself. Even trusted teammates turn against each other, culminating in shocking twists that challenge loyalty.

  • Unexpected Alliances

    Amidst adversity, unlikely partnerships emerge when officers and criminals unite to survive. Sergeant Roenick's collaboration with crime lord Marion Bishop emphasizes how circumstances can prompt even the most disparate figures to work together against a common threat. This theme reflects on the complexity of human relationships in dire situations.

  • Loss and Sacrifice

    Loss is prevalent throughout the film, with characters facing personal demons and tangible threats. The harrowing sacrifices made by multiple characters underscore the stakes involved in their battle for survival. This theme resonates deeply, highlighting the costs of both loyalty and defiance.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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Character & theme questions

Assault on Precinct 13 Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Assault on Precinct 13 (2005): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place in Detroit at Precinct 13, the city's oldest police station. The harsh winter setting with snowstorm conditions creates a tense atmosphere that amplifies the isolation and desperation of the characters trapped inside the station.

  • detroit
  • precinct 13
  • police station
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What is Precinct 13 in the story?

Precinct 13 is depicted as Detroit's oldest police station, which becomes a battleground during the film. Its aging infrastructure and isolated location make it vulnerable to the assault, while its symbolism as a place of law and order is undermined by the corruption revealed within its walls.

  • precinct 13
  • police station
  • detroit
  • setting
Q3

When does the story take place?

The movie unfolds on New Year's Eve, a night traditionally associated with celebration and new beginnings. This timing creates a stark contrast between the festive holiday atmosphere outside and the violent chaos happening inside the precinct, with the impending dawn symbolizing hope for survival.

  • new year's eve
  • time period
  • holiday
  • setting
Q4

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three major themes: betrayal, which reveals corruption within law enforcement itself; unexpected alliances, where officers and criminals must work together to survive; and loss and sacrifice, showing the high costs paid by characters throughout the siege.

  • themes
  • betrayal
  • alliances
  • sacrifice
  • loss
Q5

What does the betrayal theme represent in the film?

Betrayal in the movie goes beyond individual acts of treachery, it exposes systemic corruption within the police force itself. The revelation that corrupt officers orchestrated the assault challenges the characters' and audience's assumptions about where loyalty should lie, leading to shocking twists throughout the siege.

  • betrayal
  • corruption
  • police
  • loyalty
  • treachery
Q6

How does the movie handle unexpected alliances?

The film centers on Sergeant Roenick forming an unlikely partnership with crime lord Marion Bishop. This collaboration demonstrates how extreme circumstances can force opposing figures to unite against a common threat, exploring the complexity of human relationships when survival is at stake.

  • alliances
  • roenick
  • bishop
  • partnership
  • survival
Q7

Who is Marion Bishop in the movie?

Marion Bishop is a formidable crime lord who finds himself trapped inside Precinct 13 during the assault. Despite his criminal background, he demonstrates sharp intellect and unexpected loyalty, becoming a crucial ally to Sergeant Roenick as they work together to survive the corrupt officers' attack.

  • marion bishop
  • crime lord
  • character
  • fishburne
Q8

Who is Sergeant Roenick?

Sergeant Jake Roenick is the film's protagonist, a haunted leader burdened by past failures from a botched operation that cost his teammates their lives. During the siege, he must overcome this trauma to take leadership and unite the mixed group of officers and convicts to survive until dawn.

  • jake roenick
  • sergeant
  • protagonist
  • leader
Q9

Who is Iris in the film?

Iris is the secretary at Precinct 13 who embodies resilience and hope throughout the chaos. She provides crucial support to her colleagues and becomes an integral part of the survival efforts, representing the importance of human connection and determination in dire circumstances.

  • iris
  • secretary
  • supporting character
Q10

Who is Alex in Assault on Precinct 13?

Alex is a psychiatrist who enters the precinct during the crisis and demonstrates remarkable bravery. Her character represents defiance against authority and an unwavering will to survive. Her demise highlights the high cost of courage in the film.

  • alex
  • psychiatrist
  • character
  • bravery
Q11

Who is Jasper in the movie?

Jasper appears as a seasoned officer who provides stability during the initial chaos, but ultimately reveals himself as a betrayer working against the survivors. His character arc serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of misplaced trust within law enforcement.

  • jasper
  • officer
  • betrayer
  • corruption
Q12

What is the significance of the New Year's Eve setting?

The New Year's Eve setting creates a powerful symbolic backdrop where the transition from old year to new represents potential redemption and renewal. The characters' struggle to survive until dawn mirrors the universal hope associated with new beginnings, making their victory, or loss, more emotionally resonant.

  • new year's eve
  • symbolism
  • dawn
  • renewal
  • hop

Movie threads

More Movies Like Assault on Precinct 13, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Assault on Precinct 13 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Under siege movies like Assault on Precinct 13

Trapped groups must overcome their differences to survive a relentless external threat. If you enjoyed the high-stakes survival and uneasy alliances in Assault on Precinct 13, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This list features films where a diverse group is trapped and must band together to fend off a relentless assault, creating a claustrophobic and suspenseful experience.

  • claustrophobic
  • tense
  • desperate
  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • violent
  • Tone: dark, tense, grim
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a sudden, violent external threat that traps a group of characters in a single, defensible location. The core conflict often involves internal distrust and moral differences that must be set aside for the group to survive the escalating attacks. The plot unfolds as a series of assaults, with the characters fortifying their position and forming a fragile, necessary bond.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core setup of a contained siege, high-intensity action, and the compelling dynamic of foes becoming temporary allies. The shared mood is one of desperate survival, relentless pressure, and grim determination, making the viewing experience consistently tense and gripping.

Grim crime thrillers with moral ambiguity like Assault on Precinct 13

Stories where the line between cop and criminal blurs in a corrupt system. For viewers who appreciated the heavy themes of police corruption and moral compromise in Assault on Precinct 13, this collection highlights similar movies. These films explore bleak criminal underworlds and flawed protagonists navigating systems where right and wrong are not clearly defined.

  • grim
  • paranoid
  • tense
  • corruption
  • betrayal
  • desperate
  • Tone: dark, bleak, morally complex
  • Pacing: steady, building to intense climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often a law enforcement officer, who discovers a deep-seated corruption that undermines their sense of justice. They are compelled to ally with questionable figures or break their own codes to confront a greater evil. The journey is characterized by betrayal, hard choices, and an ending that offers survival but at a significant moral and emotional cost.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and exploration of moral ambiguity within crime and justice. They deliver a consistent vibe of paranoia, grim realism, and the psychological toll of operating in a world where the institutional good guys are often the villains.

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Movies Like Assault on Precinct 13

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Every angle

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Assault on Precinct 13 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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