Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Cleopatra Jones (1973) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Cleopatra Jones (1973) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1973 · 89 min · English
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Jack Starrett
Starring
Bill McKinney, Bernie Casey, Dan Frazer, Albert Popwell, Antonio Fargas, Michael Warren

A skilled and determined federal agent, Cleopatra Jones, pursues a ruthless crime boss, Stella Stevens, to her gambling den in Macao. Known for her exceptional martial arts abilities and unwavering resolve, Jones confronts Stevens in a dangerous showdown. She relentlessly investigates Stevens’ criminal empire, leaving no detail unexplored in her pursuit of justice and to dismantle the entire operation.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Cleopatra Jones
  8. 8 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Cleopatra Jones Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Cleopatra Jones (1973), 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.

  • Cleopatra "Cleo" Jones

    played by Tamara Dobson

    Cleo is a fearless special agent with a dual life as a glamorous model. She exhibits remarkable fighting skills and strategic acumen, making her a formidable opponent against crime. Her determination to combat drug abuse in her community drives her actions throughout the film.

    • 👩‍🎤 Heroine
    • 🥋 Martial Artist
    • 🌹 Community Leader
  • Reuben Master

    Reuben manages the B&S House recovery center and serves as Cleo's love interest. He embodies compassion and dedication, providing support for those struggling with addiction. His role is crucial as he motivates Cleo to fight against the drug plague affecting their community.

    • ❤️ Love Interest
    • 🏥 Community Supporter
  • Mommy

    Mommy is the merciless drug lord whose actions drive the conflict of the film. She is ruthless and determined to maintain her empire, viewing Cleo as a significant threat. Her character highlights the dangers posed by the drug trade and serves as the catalyst for Cleo's journey.

    • 👿 Villain
    • 💊 Drug Lord

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Cleopatra Jones Take Place?

The setting of Cleopatra Jones (1973): 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

The film presents a contemporary setting, reflecting the social issues of its time, notably the struggle against drug addiction and trafficking. It showcases the fashion and aesthetics of the 1970s, particularly through Cleo's stylish persona and her sleek sports car.

Location

Los Angeles, Turkey

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its entertainment industry, diverse culture, and iconic landmarks. In this film, it serves as the backdrop for Cleopatra Jones' fight against a drug empire. The lush landscapes of Turkey, noted for its poppy fields, become critical to the storyline as they represent the source of narcotics that Cleopatra seeks to dismantle.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🌍 Country

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

Was this helpful?

2 major themes

Cleopatra Jones Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Cleopatra Jones (1973) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Empowerment

    The film emphasizes women's empowerment through the character of Cleopatra Jones, who defies traditional gender roles as a strong, capable heroine. Her resilience in the face of adversity highlights the importance of fighting for justice and supporting her community. Cleo's leadership and martial skills serve as an inspiration for overcoming challenges and standing up against male-dominated crime.

  • Justice

    Justice is a central theme as Cleopatra battles the drug lord Mommy to protect her community. The film portrays her relentless quest to dismantle the drug trade and restore safety in her neighborhood. It raises awareness of the harsh realities of drug addiction and the fight against it, showcasing the triumph of good over evil.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:19

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Cleopatra Jones Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Cleopatra Jones (1973): 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 Cleopatra Jones set?

The film takes place primarily in Los Angeles, where Cleopatra Jones operates as a federal agent fighting a drug empire. Key scenes also occur in Turkey, particularly in poppy field regions, which serve as the source of the narcotics that Cleo works to dismantle.

  • los angeles
  • turkey
  • poppy fields
  • setting
  • drug trade locations
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

Cleopatra Jones is set in the contemporary 1970s, reflecting the era's fashion, aesthetics, and social issues. The film showcases the distinctive style of the decade through Cleo's glamorous appearance and sleek sports car, while addressing the era's real-world struggles with drug addiction and trafficking.

  • 1970s
  • contemporary setting
  • fashion
  • era
  • social issues
Q3

Who is Cleopatra Jones in the movie?

Cleopatra 'Cleo' Jones is a skilled federal agent who also lives a dual life as a glamorous model. She possesses exceptional martial arts abilities and is determined to combat drug abuse in her community. Her character defies traditional gender roles as a strong, capable heroine who takes on a ruthless drug empire.

  • cleopatra jones
  • cleo
  • federal agent
  • model
  • martial arts
  • heroine
Q4

Who is the villain Mommy in Cleopatra Jones?

Mommy is the ruthless drug lord who heads the criminal empire that Cleopatra Jones pursues. She operates from a gambling den in Macao and represents the dangerous, powerful forces behind drug trafficking. Her determination to maintain her empire makes her a formidable antagonist and the primary threat Cleo must defeat.

  • mommy
  • drug lord
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • macao
  • crime boss
Q5

What role does Reuben Master play?

Reuben Master manages the B&S House recovery center and serves as Cleopatra Jones's love interest. He embodies compassion and dedication, supporting those struggling with addiction. His role motivates Cleo to fight against the drug plague affecting their community, providing emotional grounding to the story.

  • reuben master
  • recovery center
  • love interest
  • support character
Q6

What does the film say about women's empowerment?

Cleopatra Jones emphasizes women's empowerment through its titular heroine, who defies traditional gender roles as a strong, capable woman taking on a male-dominated criminal world. Cleo's leadership, martial skills, and resilience serve as an inspiration for overcoming challenges and standing up against oppression.

  • women's empowerment
  • gender roles
  • heroine
  • strength
  • feminism
Q7

How does Cleopatra Jones address drug addiction?

The film tackles drug addiction as a serious community threat, with Cleopatra fighting to dismantle the drug trade that devastates her neighborhood. It portrays the harsh realities of drug trafficking and addiction while showing Cleo's mission to restore safety. The recovery center run by Reuben Master represents the support system for victims.

  • drug addiction
  • drug trade
  • community
  • recovery
  • anti-drug message
Q8

What is the film's message about justice?

Justice drives Cleopatra Jones's mission as she battles the drug lord Mommy to protect her community. The film portrays her relentless quest to dismantle the drug operation and restore safety, showcasing the triumph of good over evil. The story emphasizes that fighting for justice and supporting one's community is both necessary and rewarding.

  • justice
  • good vs evil
  • law enforcement
  • community protection
  • victory
Q9

What kind of movie is Cleopatra Jones?

Cleopatra Jones is an action-thriller-crime film known for its high-intensity action sequences, including martial arts battles and life-or-death confrontations. The film has a straightforward narrative with a clear goal, fast pacing driven by Cleo's systematic outmaneuvering of enemies, and a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic between Cleo and the villainous Mommy.

  • action movie
  • thriller
  • crime film
  • martial arts
  • high intensity

Movie threads

More Movies Like Cleopatra Jones, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with a methodical agent like Cleopatra Jones

Skilled operatives systematically dismantle criminal empires through precision and force. Discover movies featuring highly skilled operatives who systematically dismantle criminal organizations with precision and force, similar to Cleopatra Jones. If you liked watching a formidable agent outmaneuver a powerful villain, you'll find similar thrillers and action films here.

  • methodical
  • empowering
  • tense
  • high-stakes
  • action-packed
  • slick
  • Tone: tense, determined
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist with exceptional skills—often a government agent or specialized operative—as they identify a major criminal threat and methodically work to destroy it, piece by piece. The story is driven by a clear goal, linear progression from investigation to confrontation, and culminates in a decisive, triumphant showdown.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a hyper-capable protagonist, a high-stakes mission against a structured enemy, and a narrative that prioritizes strategic action and a clear, satisfying victory. The tone is tense and empowering, with fast pacing driven by the protagonist's relentless pursuit.

Movies with the empowering 70s vibe of Cleopatra Jones

Stylish, high-energy action films where heroes fight for their community against corruption. Find movies that share the stylish, high-energy, and community-focused spirit of 1970s action films like Cleopatra Jones. If you enjoyed the blend of social empowerment, slick style, and explosive justice, explore similar blaxploitation and vigilante thrillers here.

  • empowering
  • slick
  • stylish
  • celebratory
  • funky
  • high-stakes
  • Tone: tense, celebratory, empowering
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically feature a charismatic hero, often from an underrepresented group, who takes on corrupt systems or powerful criminals threatening their neighborhood. The narrative is straightforward and fast-paced, focusing on righteous vengeance, street-smart tactics, and a ultimately triumphant conclusion that celebrates the hero's victory and the community's liberation.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their distinctive 70s aesthetic, a tone that mixes social commentary with entertaining action, and a core theme of community empowerment. They share a specific cultural moment and a vibe that is simultaneously tense, cool, and uplifting.

If you liked this

Movies Like Cleopatra Jones

Similar movies to Cleopatra Jones: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Cleopatra Jones (1973) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Cleopatra Jones 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app