Deadbeat at Dawn

Deadbeat at Dawn

Year: 1988

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

CrimeActionDramaHorrorCrime drugs and gangsters

After pleading with him to quit, Goose’s girlfriend is killed, forcing him to abandon the gang life he once led. Determined to start anew, he struggles to stay out of the criminal underworld, but old loyalties and relentless pressure soon drag him back into a cycle of violence.

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Timeline & Setting – Deadbeat at Dawn (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Deadbeat at Dawn (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Dayton, Ohio

Set in the urban streets of Dayton, Ohio, the film paints a stark portrait of a working-class city where rival gangs rule the night. The Ravens and the Spiders move through barrooms, apartments, and train yards, shaping the lives of those who live by violence and loyalty. The city becomes a character itself, its decay mirroring the characters’ desperation and choices.

🏙️ Urban Midwest 💥 Crime 🧭 Gritty city

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

Main Characters – Deadbeat at Dawn (1988)

Meet the key characters of Deadbeat at Dawn (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Goose (Jim Van Bebber)

Leader of The Ravens, Goose loves the criminal life but longs for a fresh start with Christie. He quits the gang after Christie threatens to leave, then plans one last drug deal to fund a new life. When Christie is killed, he spirals and returns to violence, moving in with his Vietnam veteran father. He orchestrates and endures a brutal confrontation that ends with him collapsing in the street.

🗡️ Gang Leader 💀 Violent 🧭 Loyal to a fault

Christie (Megan Murphy)

Goose’s girlfriend who pushes him toward leaving the Ravens. Her threat to depart triggers the final chain of events, culminating in her murder by the Spiders. Her death becomes a catalyst for Goose’s actions and the film’s brutal end.

❤️ Love 💔 Loss 🕊️ Tragic

Danny Carmodi (Paul Harper)

Leader of the Spiders and a sadistic antagonist in the gang war. He orchestrates the hit and the trap against the Ravens, escalating the deadly feud. His ruthlessness drives much of the violence that unfolds around Christie’s death.

⚔️ Rivalry 👿 Sadistic 🧨 Power

Dad (Charlie Goetz)

Goose’s Vietnam veteran father, a presence that looms over the story as a source of memory and dysfunction. The father’s addiction and history of hardship contribute to the bleak, intergenerational cycle of violence. He offers a rough shelter for Goose in the aftermath of tragedy.

🪖 Vietnam Vet 💊 Junkie 🧭 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

Major Themes – Deadbeat at Dawn (1988)

Explore the central themes of Deadbeat at Dawn (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💥 Crime & Rivalry

Violence and gang loyalty drive the plot as the Ravens clash with the Spiders. A planned heist exposes fragile alliances and the brutal code that governs street life. The men chase money and status, risking everything for respect in a ruthless urban underworld. The uneasy truce during the operation quickly collapses into a dangerous trap.

💔 Betrayal & Loss

Goose’s relationship with Christie pushes him toward one last crime to secure a future with her. Christie is murdered by the rival gang, triggering Goose’s descent into violence. He responds with cold pragmatism, including disposing of Christie's body and hiding the truth from her sister. The aftermath culminates in a deadly chase through the streets.

🪖 Legacy & Trauma

Goose’s father is a Vietnam veteran, hinting at the long shadows of war on the family. Addiction and post-war scars color the characters’ choices and fuel the cycle of violence. The film links past trauma to present brutality, suggesting cycles that are hard to break. The environment reverberates with echoes of conflict across generations.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:51

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Deadbeat at Dawn Summary

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Deadbeat at Dawn Summary

Deadbeat at Dawn Timeline

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Deadbeat at Dawn Timeline

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Deadbeat at Dawn (1988) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Deadbeat at Dawn (1988) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Deadbeat at Dawn (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow