Kuffs

Kuffs

Year: 1992

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Bruce A. Evans

ActionCrimeComedyCrude humor and satireViolent action guns and crime

With plenty of attitude but no credentials, George Kuffs drops out of high school, loses his job and learns his college‑age girlfriend is expecting. When his brother Brad is murdered, George unexpectedly inherits Brad’s “Patrol Special” – a private police district – and must navigate the chaos, corruption and the burden of running it.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Kuffs (1992)

Trace every key event in Kuffs (1992) 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

George's unstable life and plea for money

George Kuffs, a 21-year-old high school dropout from San Francisco, is directionless and has just walked out on his pregnant girlfriend Maya. He visits his brother Brad to ask for money and consider a new path in life. The city’s struggles and his own restlessness set the backdrop for what follows.

early in the story San Francisco
2

Brad offers Patrol Special job; Kane shoots him

Brad, a Patrol Special, refuses to loan George money and instead offers him a chance to join the program under his supervision. Before George can decide, Kane shoots Brad, drops the gun, and walks away, sending Brad to the hospital. The violent moment catalyzes George’s new path.

shortly after the job offer Brad's district, San Francisco
3

Lineup confusion; Kane remains unidentified

George is brought in for a lineup and identifies Kane as the shooter. However, because he did not actually see Kane fire the gun and Kane wears gloves to avoid fingerprints, the SFPD must release Kane and Brad’s killer goes unpunished. The case remains unresolved for the moment.

soon after Brad's shooting SFPD lineup room
4

Brad dies; George inherits the district

Captain Morino informs George that Brad died from his injuries, and that George has inherited Brad’s Patrol Special district. George faces a new sense of responsibility and sees an opportunity to make a difference. The district becomes his new arena for proving himself. The family grief adds weight to his choices.

shortly after lineup Hospital then Brad’s district, San Francisco
5

Sam Jones seeks control of the district

Local businessman Sam Jones attempts to purchase the district so he can control it. George refuses to sell and decides instead to keep the district and train to be a police officer. This decision pushes him into direct conflict with Jones and with the SFPSP leadership.

after Brad’s death San Francisco
6

Professional tensions and a harmful prank

George is seen as unskilled and abrasive by his peers and the SFPSP liaison Ted Bukowsky. He spikes Ted’s coffee with sleeping pills on duty, causing Ted’s suspension and highlighting the volatile dynamic between him and the force. The incident deepens the rift but also foreshadows George’s willingness to bend rules. It also foreshadows future cooperation.

shortly after joining SFPSP office / on duty
7

A turn for the better after a shooting

A suicidal writer shoots George, but he survives and begins to turn his life around. His persistence pays off as he uncovers and disrupts a criminal enterprise run out of a Chinese dry cleaner controlled by Sam Jones. The exposure earns him respect and helps him reconnect with Maya. This marks a turning point from reckless risk-taking to measured police work.

after the hospital incident San Francisco; various locations
8

Brad’s killer returns and Kane dies

George confronts Kane, whom he had misidentified earlier, and kills him in a self-defense context following an ambush in George’s apartment. The personal vengeance marks a turning point as he takes on the fight against Jones’s larger scheme. The act also complicates the legal risk to him.

after the life-improving period George’s apartment
9

Transcript exposes George’s gap in credentials

Jones exposes George’s high school status by giving his transcript to the SFPSP, proving he’s ineligible to be an officer because he never graduated. This revelation sets a new obstacle in his path and intensifies the clash with Jones. George resolves to fight this legal barrier while keeping his district.

after Kane's death SFPSP office and Jones’s influence
10

Rooftop showdown

George and Ted, with unexpected support from the rest of the SFPSP, engage in a rooftop shootout against Jones’s goons. The battle showcases George’s growing competence and his ability to rally allies. The confrontation elevates the stakes in the fight for control of the district.

after transcript incident Rooftop, San Francisco
11

Final confrontation with Jones

George corners Jones in the lowest level of a parking garage and shoots him fatally in self-defense as Jones’s threats escalate. The villain is removed from the power struggle, clearing the path for George to legitimize his authority. The moment marks the destruction of Jones’s plans to take over the district.

after rooftop showdown Parking garage, San Francisco
12

Family, education, and expansion

George marries Maya and their daughter Sarah is born, signaling a new stability. At Maya’s urging, he takes and passes a high school equivalency exam, removing the barrier to his officer status. He also takes a loan to expand his brother Brad’s district, cementing his role as a protector of the community.

the end San Francisco

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:18

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Kuffs

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