Excessive Force

A Chicago detective whose relentless pursuit of criminals borders on reckless. His obsession with bringing DiMarco down escalates after his partner Dylan is murdered, and his volatile methods threaten to undermine prosecutions. On his birthday, he confronts loneliness and a wavering trust in colleagues, fueling a desperate chase for justice and personal vindication.

A feared mafia boss whose influence extends into Chicago’s criminal underworld. He remains elusive, and his apparent shrug at the missing money deepens the mystery surrounding power, loyalty, and survival within organized crime. His presence looms as the catalyst for the citywide turmoil that drives Terry’s pursuit.

An ambitious cop whose corruption gnaws at the department. On the verge of becoming chief, he manipulates events to protect his own skin and shield the mob’s interests. His veneer of respectability collapses under pressure, revealing a willingness to eliminate threats, including former allies.

Terry’s loyal friend and owner of the Déjà Vu jazz club. He operates within the city’s social circle and provides a grounding presence for Terry, even as danger encroaches. His support is tested when trust fractures, and he becomes entangled in the wider conspiracy.

A fellow detective and friend of Terry who is kidnapped and later found murdered, his loss becomes a pivotal impetus for Terry’s crusade. His death intensifies the sense that the conflict between police and mob is personal and deadly.

A detective who appears to be an ally but is revealed to have a treacherous alliance. He is tied to the mob and later implicated as the killer of DiMarco, only to be killed by Devlin. His duplicity adds a chilling layer to the betrayal that permeates the investigation.

Terry’s model girlfriend, who becomes a target as the mob and police scramble for leverage. Their reconciliation is tested by danger surrounding the missing money and the threats to her safety. She acts as a conduit for the emotional stakes driving Terry’s actions.

A fellow officer who offers crucial perspective on the corruption within the force. He helps peel back layers of deception by explaining the mob’s previously established collusion with law enforcement. His honesty acts as a counterbalance to the film’s tension between duty and loyalty.

A mob figure who represents the more openly violent facet of the underworld. While not the central antagonist, his presence underscores the brutal environment that Terry confronts and the mob’s willingness to use force to control outcomes.