Face

Face

Year: 1997

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Antonia Bird

CrimeThrillerDramaCrime drugs and gangstersHeists and thrilling action

Ray, an aging former socialist, turns to bank robbery after witnessing the collapse of socialism in 1980s Britain. He joins a crew of other washed‑up criminals and pulls off one job too many. The gang's loyalty crumbles as members betray each other, sparking a murderous flurry of recriminations.

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Timeline & Setting – Face (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Face (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1990s

Set in contemporary Britain during the 1990s, the film portrays a brutal, street-level crime world. The era is reflected in the clothing, locales, and policing style, emphasizing realism over glamour. Events unfold over a short, high-tension period that amplifies paranoia and rapid decision-making.

Location

London, United Kingdom, M1 Motorway

The story unfolds across urban London streets, a security depot, a bar, and a tense detour onto the M1 motorway. The city is depicted as a gritty backdrop where criminals move between cramped bars and fueling stations, always conscious of the threat of police intervention. The geography of the chase—the depot, the bar, and the service station—drives the narrative and heightens the sense of urban danger.

🏙️ London 🚓 Crime 🛣️ Road movie

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:01

Main Characters – Face (1997)

Meet the key characters of Face (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dave (Ray Winstone)

Dave is a brutal, volatile member of the crew who resents his share and uses intimidation to press for more. He becomes a dangerous wildcard when pressed, ultimately murdering Linda, Bill, Jason, and Sonny under pressure. His treachery is exposed when Ray and the others confront him, and Ray finishes him to stop the carnage.

🔪 Violent 🧠 Calculating 🤝 Unreliable

Stevie (Steven Waddington)

Stevie is a steady, stubborn participant who sticks with the plan but is quick to act when needed. He remains loyal to the group, even as violence erupts, and is wounded during the police chase. He helps navigate the crisis alongside Ray and the others, sharing in the escape.

🗡️ Violent 🤝 Loyal

Ray (Robert Carlyle)

Ray is the group’s central organizer and driver of the plan. He remains focused on securing a future for him and Connie while coping with the consequences of the heist. In the aftermath, he confronts the losses and ultimately helps the survivors flee, keeping a cool head under pressure.

🧭 Leader 🗡️ Violent

Connie (Lena Headey)

Connie is Ray's girlfriend and a protester who becomes entwined in the criminal circle. She demonstrates resolve and a willingness to face danger, ultimately choosing to travel with Ray as they seek a new life.

💪 Strong-willed 🧭 Loyal

Julian (Phil Davis)

Julian is the money-focused member who demands more for his work and then betrays the group to take the entire stash. His volatility triggers a chain of violent events, culminating in a chaotic stand against the police.

🗡️ Betrayal 💰 Greed

Jason (Damon Albarn)

Jason is a member of the crew and the nephew of Sonny; he is part of the heist but meets a violent end when a head wound proves fatal. His death marks a turning point in the crew’s dynamics and heightens the tension among the survivors.

💔 Victim 🗡️ Violence

Sonny (Peter Vaughan)

Sonny is Jason's uncle and a fellow criminal whose involvement deepens the crew's web of ties. The group later discovers the money has been mislaid or stolen, intensifying the hunt and mistrust within the circle.

🧭 Family 🗡️ Violent

Linda (Hazel Douglas)

Linda is an elderly woman who, with her husband Bill, offers safekeeping for the stolen money. She becomes a tragic victim when the gang murders the couple and steals the money, underscoring the human cost of the crime.

💔 Victims 🏠 Domestic life

Bill (Arthur Whybrow)

Bill is Linda's husband, an elderly man who falls victim to the criminals. His death, like Linda's, demonstrates the brutal reach of the crew's actions.

💔 Victims

Chris (Andrew Tiernan)

Chris is a corrupt undercover police officer who manipulates Dave to extract money, escalating the danger for everyone involved. He is murdered by Dave when the truth comes to light, and his demands reveal the depths of corruption in the pursuit of money.

🕵️‍♂️ Corruption 💰 Blackmail

Sarah (Christine Tremarco)

Sarah is a member of the circle around the heist and appears in the latter stages of the plan. Her presence marks another layer of tension within the group, and she is among those positioned to be removed as the crisis escalates.

🤝 Ally 🚶‍♀️ Minor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:01

Major Themes – Face (1997)

Explore the central themes of Face (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💥 Crime & Consequences

A straightforward heist spirals into catastrophe as greed, fear, and betrayal escalate. Each decision pulls the crew deeper into danger, drawing in police and rivals. Murders multiply as trust collapses and the money loses its value amid the chaos. The film uses escalating violence to show how crime consumes those who commit it.

🤝 Betrayal & Loyalty

Trust is fragile among a group of criminals who depend on each other while chasing a shared prize. Julian's treachery—demands for more and then stealing the stash—shatters bonds and ignites a deadly confrontation. Dave's violent turn further erodes loyalty and forces others to respond with brutality. In the end, loyalty is tested to the limit as the survivors flee with unclear futures.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:01

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