Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant

Year: 1992

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Director: Abel Ferrara

DramaThrillerCrime

A troubled New York City police officer descends into a chaotic spiral of addiction and questionable behavior while investigating a series of crimes. His personal struggles intensify as he becomes entangled in the brutal rape of a nun, blurring the lines between justice and obsession. He finds himself confronting disturbing situations and grappling with his own morality in a desperate search for meaning and a chance at redemption amidst the city's underbelly.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Trace every key event in Bad Lieutenant (1992) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Drop Off at School

The unnamed NYPD lieutenant begins his day by dropping off his two young sons at Catholic school. This moment highlights his dual life and makes his subsequent actions all the more shocking.

Catholic School
2

Double Homicide

After dropping off his sons, the lieutenant heads to the scene of a double homicide in Union Square. This grim event sets the stage for his descent into a dark world of drugs and moral decay.

Union Square
3

Drug Test

Determined to cement his status in the drug trade, the lieutenant tracks down a dealer. He gives the dealer the crack he found at the crime scene, even consuming some himself to test its purity, showcasing his reckless behavior.

4

Threesome Incident

Late in the day, the lieutenant visits a rundown apartment where he drinks heavily and engages in a threesome with two women. This reckless decision further illustrates his irresponsible choices and struggles.

Rundown Apartment
5

Nun's Assault

Parallel to the lieutenant's chaos, a nun suffers a brutal assault in a church by two thugs. This event introduces a horrific contrast to the lieutenant's actions, questioning his moral integrity.

Church
6

Gambling Loss

The following morning reveals the lieutenant’s gambling issues as he realizes he lost a crucial bet on a Mets game. In an attempt to reclaim his losses, he recklessly decides to double down on another wager.

7

Drugs at Crime Scene

During an investigation at another crime scene, the lieutenant discovers hidden drugs in a victim's car. When the drugs fall out of his coat pocket in front of his colleagues, he fabricates a story to avoid suspicion.

8

Confronting the Nun

At the hospital, the lieutenant intrudes on the nun's examination, horrified to learn about her assault details involving a crucifix. This encounter deepens the narrative of violence and moral failure surrounding him.

Hospital
9

Extortion of Teen Girls

Later that evening, the lieutenant pulls over two teenage girls joyriding in their father's car. Using his badge to extort them, he makes lewd demands, showcasing his abuse of power and moral decline.

10

Overhearing Confession

The next day, the lieutenant overhears the nun's confession where she claims to recognize her assailants but refuses to name them. This moment reveals her strength and resilience in the face of trauma.

11

Driving Under Influence

While driving through a chaotic Times Square, the lieutenant is intoxicated and high, following the Dodgers' game broadcast. His reckless behavior escalates as he loses control in a drug-fueled rage when they lose.

Times Square
12

Desperate Betting

Desperate for money, the lieutenant spends his last cash on drinks and attempts yet another bet. This moment solidifies his downward spiral as he continuously gambles despite mounting debts.

13

Tracking Down Rapists

In a moment of vengeful determination, the lieutenant retrieves $30,000 from a dealer and tracks down the two rapists to a crack den in Spanish Harlem. He cuffs them together, ready to deliver his own brand of justice.

Spanish Harlem
14

Bus Terminal Confrontation

Instead of taking the rapists to the station, the lieutenant sends them off on a bus at Port Authority, packing the $30,000 alongside them. This act further emphasizes his corruption and moral bankruptcy.

Port Authority Bus Terminal
15

Fatal Encounter

After sending off the rapists, the lieutenant waits outside Penn Station when tragedy strikes. A car pulls up, and he is fatally shot by the driver, presumably his bookie, leaving chaos in his wake.

Penn Station

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 06:48

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Bad Lieutenant Summary

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Bad Lieutenant Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bad Lieutenant

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Bad Lieutenant

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