Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

Year: 1995

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: Barbet Schroeder

ThrillerDramaCrimeCrime drugs and gangstersThrillers and murder mysteries

Little Junior Brown rules the streets and the criminal game, but he isn’t the only player. Ex‑con Jimmy Kilmartin wants a fresh start yet accepts a risky driving job to protect a friend threatened by Brown. When the job falls apart, Jimmy is blamed, his life unravels, and the police chase him, still after Little Junior Brown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kiss of Death (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kiss of Death (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Astoria, Queens, New York City, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Baby Cakes strip club, Shea Stadium, Sing Sing

The story unfolds across New York City and its surrounding venues, starting in Astoria, Queens. It moves through the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a strip club called Baby Cakes, and even Shea Stadium, before returning to the confinement of Sing Sing. The city’s dense neighborhoods and iconic sites serve as a tense backdrop for family, crime, and law enforcement clashes.

🏙️ Urban crime 🕵️‍♂️ NYC setting 🎭 Drama 🗺️ City as backdrop

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:56

Main Characters – Kiss of Death (1995)

Meet the key characters of Kiss of Death (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy Kilmartin (David Caruso)

A reformed ex-convict living in Astoria who tries to keep his family safe while navigating a dangerous coalition of criminals. His strategic mind and willingness to bend rules drive him into becoming an informant, wearing a wire to gather evidence against the Browns.

🏙️ NYC 🗝️ Double-life 🕵️‍♂️ Protagonist

Bev Kilmartin (Hope Davis)

Jimmy's wife and recovering alcoholic who succumbs to pressure from Ronnie, leading to Bev's death. Her tragedy becomes the emotional catalyst that propels Jimmy's descent into the criminal underworld for the sake of family.

🌆 Urban 💔 Tragedy 🧠 Resilience

Ronnie Gannon (Michael Rapaport)

Jimmy's cousin who is deeply entangled in stolen-car schemes and the Browns' business. He is reckless, opportunistic, and ultimately dismissed as expendable, a catalyst for the evolving crime plot.

🚗 Car theft 🧠 Manipulative 🥊 Risk-taker

Little Junior Brown (Nicolas Cage)

A dangerous, asthmatic crime boss who drives much of the violence in the Brown family operations. His ruthlessness and volatile temper create constant peril for Jimmy and those around him.

🔥 Violent 🏢 Power-hungry 🗡️ Ruthless

Big Junior Brown (Philip Baker Hall)

Senior figure in the Brown crime family who commands respect and instills fear. He uses coercion and strategic intimidation to keep his network in line while manipulating Jimmy's actions.

🧱 Boss 💼 Crime family 🧭 Control

Omar (Ving Rhames)

A drug dealer who operates as a key intermediary receiving weapons and cars from the Browns. He is also revealed as an undercover DEA agent, complicating loyalties and plans.

🕶️ Underworld contact 🧭 Dual role 🔫 Dealer

Rosie Kilmartin (Kathryn Erbe)

Jimmy's wife who becomes part of his attempt to rebuild life with their daughter. She embodies loyalty and endurance, supporting Jimmy even as danger closes in.

👩 Wife 💪 Loyal 🕊️ Family focus

Detective Calvin Hart (Samuel L. Jackson)

An investigator whose injuries mark him as tenacious and vigilant. He is a pivotal link between Jimmy, the police, and the Browns, driving the pursuit of truth.

👮 Detective 🧠 Sharp 🧭 Connector

Jack Gold ( Anthony Heald )

The Browns' lawyer who promises protection if Jimmy takes the blame, illustrating the corrupt blend of law and crime in the city.

⚖️ Lawyer 🗣️ Persuasive 💼 Corruption

U.S. Attorney (Edward McDonald)

The government prosecutor who negotiates leverage through Jimmy's testimony. His role underscores the political pressures surrounding the case.

🏛️ Prosecutor ⚖️ Pressure 🗝️ Leverage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:56

Major Themes – Kiss of Death (1995)

Explore the central themes of Kiss of Death (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Loyalty

Jimmy is torn between his loyalty to family and his obligation to the law. He navigates pressure from Ronnie and the Browns while trying to protect Bev and his daughter. The decision to wear a wire magnifies the moral ambiguity of loyalty under pressure and the risks of crossing criminal circles.

💔 Tragedy

Bev's death acts as a catalyst that reshapes Jimmy's life and priorities. Personal loss drives him deeper into dangerous alliances and tests the durability of his family bonds. The tragedy also exposes the fragile line between protection and self-destruction.

⚖️ Corruption

The plot reveals the murky interplay between law, prosecutors, and criminal organizations. Jimmy leverages a taped confession to secure a pardon, highlighting how power can bend truth and justice. The outcome blurs the distinctions between alibi, leverage, and survival in a corrupt system.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:56

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Kiss of Death Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kiss of Death, 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.

Kiss of Death Summary

Kiss of Death Timeline

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Kiss of Death Timeline

More About Kiss of Death

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