Cruising

Cruising

Year: 1980

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: William Friedkin

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

A sadistic killer terrorizes New York City's gay clubs, systematically targeting victims. Detective Steve Burns must go undercover to investigate, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant nightlife. As he delves deeper into the case, the lines between his role as an officer and the world he’s infiltrating become blurred, forcing him to confront his own beliefs and sense of self while pursuing a dangerous predator.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cruising yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Cruising (1980)

Trace every key event in Cruising (1980) 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

Discovery of the Arm

A severed human arm is discovered floating in the Hudson River, alarming investigators. Detective Lefransky from the NYPD orders Dr. Rifkin to assist in determining if this arm matches a torso found earlier, marking the beginning of a chilling investigation.

Hudson River
2

Nightclub Encounter

In a predominantly gay neighborhood, patrolmen DiSimone and Desher harass two transvestite prostitutes, exemplifying the systemic abuse in the police force. Nearby, a man in a black leather jacket enters a gay nightclub, where he soon becomes involved in a grim turn of events.

Gay Nightclub, Manhattan
3

Murder of Loren Lukas

The man in sunglasses, after leaving the nightclub with patron Loren Lukas, ties him up in a hotel room and brutally stabs him while singing a haunting tune. This murder raises alarm in the already tense environment as the struggle against violence in the gay community begins.

St. James Hotel
4

Forensic Analysis

Dr. Rifkin conducts an autopsy on Loren Lukas's body but discovers a perplexing detail: the killer’s DNA can’t be determined due to the lack of sperm in the ejaculate. This leads to an investigation focusing on a sterile killer, narrowing down the search for suspects.

Forensics Lab
5

Undercover Assignment

Detective Captain Edelson briefs young officer Steve Burns about the string of murders and instructs him to go undercover. He must pose as a homosexual to investigate the killings, indicating the challenges and dangers of his upcoming mission.

NYPD Headquarters
6

Adapting to the Scene

Moving to a gay neighborhood, Steve meets his neighbor Ted, and they discuss the recent murders. As Steve starts adapting to his undercover role, he engages with the community by visiting gay bars and immersing himself in the atmosphere.

West Village, New York
7

Eric Rossman's Murder

In a park, the killer lures Eric Rossman into the woods under the pretense of intimacy but ultimately stabs him to death. The chilling echo of 'You made me do that' indicates the disturbed psyche of the murderer, revealing a pattern of violence.

Park
8

Tensions Rise with Nancy

Steve's undercover work strains his relationship with his girlfriend Nancy, as he confides in her about the dangers of his job. The emotional toll of living a double life begins to surface, affecting both his personal life and his mission.

Nancy's Apartment
9

Martino Perry's Death

Fashion designer Martino Perry tragically meets the killer after following him into a peep show booth. The brutal stabbing solidifies the notion that the murder spree is escalating, prompting urgency within the police department.

Adult Bookstore
10

Searching for Leads

As the pressure mounts from the Chief of Detectives to solve the case before the upcoming Democratic National Convention, Steve asks about Skip Lee, acquiring insights into the locals and their complex relationships. This leads him deeper into the investigation.

Nightclub
11

Confronting Skip Lee

Detective Lefransky finds DaVinci, who identifies Skip Lee as a suspect. The investigation takes a turn when Steve sets a trap for Lee, leading to a tense standoff in a motel room where their interactions are secretly monitored.

Motel Room
12

Unraveling Clues

Steve discovers crucial evidence linking Stuart Richards's writings to the murder spree. This revelation highlights the psychological aspects of the killer and connects the dots leading to the suspect’s possible motives.

Richards' Apartment
13

Final Confrontation

Steve confronts Stuart Richards in a tunnel, attempting to arrest him. The situation escalates, leading to a violent clash where Steve manages to stab Richards and take him into custody, bringing the investigation to a climax.

Tunnel
14

Arrest and Confession

After his arrest, Richards is confronted by Edelson, who offers him a deal in exchange for a confession. The investigation culminates in Richards's admission to the murders, revealing the complexities surrounding his actions and relationships.

Hospital
15

Dark Legacy

After the conclusion of the case, while Steve prepares to return to his life, he unknowingly leaves behind reminders of his undercover work. Nancy's discovery of his belongings hints at the twisted connections of their lives and the lingering shadows of his dark experience.

Nancy's Apartment

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Unlock the Full Story of Cruising

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

Cruising Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cruising, 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.

Cruising Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cruising

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cruising. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cruising

More About Cruising

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

Similar Movies to Cruising

Discover movies like Cruising that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.