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Plot Summary

Crimewave (1986) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
1986 · 83 min · English
JustWatch #5,089 23
Directed by
Sam Raimi
Starring
Louise Lasser, Brion James

A young Canadian girl recounts her family's strange encounter with Steve, a frustrated writer deeply inspired by film noir. Unable to overcome his creative block, Steve seeks help from the mysterious Dr. Jolly. Their collaboration unexpectedly leads to a bizarre and escalating series of chaotic events, plunging them all into a darkly comedic nightmare.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Crimewave
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Crimewave (1986)

Where can you watch Crimewave? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, MGM Plus and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Crimewave: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Crimewave (1986) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As Victor Ajax finds himself on the brink of death, strapped into an electric chair that hums ominously below him, a vivid flashback reveals the tangled events that led him to this precarious situation. Once a hopeful young technician at Trend-Odegard Security, Victor worked closely with the enigmatic Mr. Trend and his shrewd partner, Odegard. When Odegard's duplicitous scheme to sell the company to the fearsome Renaldo "The Heel" was uncovered, Mr. Trend took extreme actions to safeguard their enterprise, engaging two skilled eliminators dedicated to removing any obstacles in their way.

As Victor reluctantly found himself embroiled in this lethal game, he was momentarily distracted by Mr. Trend's obscure lecture on the broader implications of their situation, prompting Victor to embark on a journey to discover his perfect match. This quest led him to Nancy, a captivating yet elusive woman who unwittingly caught Renaldo's eye, leaving Victor yearning for her attention as she responded to him with intriguing minimalism.

Amidst the chaos, Victor became inadvertently involved in a series of strange murders that threatened to unravel his reality. Accused of these bizarre killings, he was thrust into a chaotic world that spiraled into madness, accompanied by an unexpected array of characters, including Mrs. Trend, who found herself accidentally caught up in the turmoil.

As tensions escalated, Nancy emerged as a pivotal figure in Victor’s life and also became a prime target for the deadly exterminators. In a thrilling and comedic climax, Victor fought bravely to rescue his beloved and put an end to the looming threat, ultimately defeating the assassins with a blend of wit and courage.

When the flashback came to a close, Victor was once again in the electric chair, awaiting his grim fate. However, destiny had other ideas. An audacious joyride, helmed by Nancy and accompanied by a nun in a daring display, sped towards the scene—a desperate attempt to absolve Victor and restore his honor.

In a nail-biting twist, Nancy burst onto the scene just as the executioner was about to pull the lever, breaking the illusion of Victor's imminent demise. With the truth finally on their side, the couple's love prevailed, leading to a jubilant reunion that marked the end of their tumultuous ordeal.

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:07

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Plot questions answered

Crimewave Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Crimewave (1986): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why was Victor Ajax on death row?

Victor was framed for a series of bizarre murders that occurred after he became entangled in the corporate conspiracy at Trend-Odegard Security. While caught up in the chaos of Mr. Trend hiring eliminators to deal with threats to the company, Victor was mistakenly accused of the killings, leading to his conviction and sentence in the electric chair.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Victor strapped to the electric chair, immediately establishing his dire situation before revealing how he got there.

  • victor ajax
  • death row
  • framed
  • murders
  • electric chair
Q2

Why did Mr. Trend hire eliminators?

After discovering that his partner Odegard was planning to sell the company to the dangerous Renaldo 'The Heel', Mr. Trend hired two skilled eliminators to protect the business and remove any threats. This extreme decision dragged Victor into a lethal game he never intended to be part of.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of Odegard's duplicitous scheme sets the entire chain of events in motion.

  • mr trend
  • eliminators
  • renaldo the heel
  • corporate conspiracy
Q3

Why did Victor decide to find his perfect match during the crisis?

Victor was distracted by Mr. Trend's cryptic lecture about their dire circumstances, which prompted him to embark on a quest for love rather than focus on the corporate danger unfolding around him. This decision leads him to Nancy, who becomes both his love interest and a target for the assassins.

Foreshadowing: Victor's romantic distraction occurs precisely when the most dangerous elements of the plot are set in motion.

  • victor
  • nancy
  • perfect match
  • romance
Q4

Who is Nancy and why does she become a target?

Nancy is the captivating woman Victor meets during his quest for love, known for her intriguing minimalism in responses. She becomes a prime target because the eliminators threatening Victor also view her as a way to get to him, making her a central figure in the life-or-death stakes.

Foreshadowing: Victor's attraction to Nancy immediately places her in danger from the forces already threatening him.

  • nancy
  • eliminators
  • target
  • victor
Q5

What role does Mrs. Trend play in the story?

Mrs. Trend becomes accidentally caught up in the chaos surrounding Victor and the corporate conspiracy. Her involvement adds complexity to Victor's already bizarre circumstances, though she is not a central player in the original scheme.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Trend's presence shows how the chaos spreads beyond the main players to affect innocent bystanders.

  • mrs trend
  • accidental involvement
  • chaos
Q6

How does Nancy save Victor from execution?

In the climax, Nancy arrives in a daring joyride with a nun, bursting onto the scene just as the executioner is about to pull the lever. Her dramatic intervention disrupts the execution and reveals the truth, ultimately saving Victor's life and leading to their jubilant reunion.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene's tension with the electric chair is resolved by this last-minute rescue twist.

  • nancy rescue
  • electric chair
  • execution
  • nun
Q7

Why is Victor framed for the murders?

Victor becomes entangled in the murder case because he was present during the chaotic events triggered by Mr. Trend's actions. As the eliminators carried out their assignments and the body count rose, Victor was in the wrong place at the wrong time, making him an easy suspect for authorities.

Foreshadowing: Victor's involvement in the company and his proximity to the violent events make him a convenient target for blame.

  • victor framed
  • murders
  • accused
Q8

How does the electric chair flashback structure work?

The film uses a flashback structure where Victor is already strapped in the electric chair at the beginning, and the entire story unfolds as a flashback revealing the events that led him there. After the flashback concludes, the narrative returns to the present moment of his imminent execution, which is then interrupted by Nancy's rescue.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene's electric chair serves as both a hook and a frame for the entire narrative.

  • flashback
  • electric chair
  • narrative structure
Q9

Who is Renaldo 'The Heel' and why is he dangerous?

Renaldo 'The Heel' is a fearsome figure to whom Odegard planned to sell the Trend-Odegard Security company. His involvement represents the external threat that triggers Mr. Trend's extreme response of hiring eliminators, setting the violent plot in motion.

Foreshadowing: Renaldo's threat is the catalyst that causes Mr. Trend to take drastic protective measures.

  • renaldo the heel
  • threat
  • corporate sale
Q10

How does Victor defeat the assassins?

In the thrilling climax, Victor fights to rescue Nancy using a blend of wit and courage. His quick thinking and bravery turn the tide against the hired exterminators, allowing him to overcome the adversaries and protect both himself and his love interest.

Foreshadowing: Victor's transformation from passive technician to active hero represents his journey throughout the film.

  • victor battle
  • assassins
  • rescue
  • nancy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Crimewave, by Mood & Story

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

Frantic Noir Parodies like Crimewave

Fast-paced comedies that send up classic film noir with chaotic energy. If you enjoyed the chaotic, slapstick energy of Crimewave, you'll love these movies that expertly parody film noir. Discover similar films with fast pacing, darkly comedic tones, and plots that spiral into absurdity, all while paying homage to the classic detective and crime genres.

  • satirical
  • frantic
  • slapstick
  • noir-inspired
  • unpredictable
  • absurd
  • Tone: dark, satirical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically involve an ordinary person or a hapless protagonist who gets entangled in a seemingly serious criminal plot. The narrative quickly escalates into a series of increasingly ridiculous events, misunderstandings, and chases, where the tension of the noir genre is consistently undercut by visual gags and absurd humor, leading to a comedic resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together for their unique blend of tone and pacing. They share a dark but playful comedic sensibility, a fast and often frantic narrative drive, and a specific intent to parody the conventions of film noir, creating a distinctively chaotic and entertaining viewing experience.

Movies about Framed Protagonists like Crimewave

Stories of ordinary people wrongly accused, leading to wild, comedic flights. Fans of Crimewave's plot about a falsely accused man on the run will enjoy these films. Explore stories featuring ordinary people plunged into chaos, combining crime thriller elements with dark comedy, frantic pacing, and a journey to prove their innocence against all odds.

  • wrongly accused
  • chaotic
  • on the run
  • desperate
  • comedic tension
  • frantic
  • Tone: tense, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on an inciting incident that falsely implicates the protagonist in a serious crime. This triggers a chain reaction of chaotic events, narrow escapes, and encounters with eccentric characters, all while the protagonist searches for the real culprit. The journey is often marked by a mix of genuine peril and comedic misadventure.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific plot mechanism—the false accusation—that drives a particular kind of narrative energy. They combine the tension of being pursued with the absurdity of the situations this creates, resulting in a cohesive blend of crime, comedy, and frantic action.

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Movies Like Crimewave

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Every angle

Crimewave (1986) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Crimewave 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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