Night Patrol

Night Patrol

Year: 1984

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: French

Director: Jean-Claude Missiaen

ThrillerActionCrime

Assisted by journalist Diane Castelain, Paris police inspectors Leo Gorce and Gu Arenas investigate the assassination of a French Parliament member, only to confront a network of powerful, dangerous figures who will stop at nothing to obstruct the case.

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Timeline & Setting – Night Patrol (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Night Patrol (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

City at Night, Bars, Police Precinct, White's Apartment, Theatre Venue, Psychiatrist's Office

The story unfolds in an urban setting that comes alive after dark, with key locations including bustling bars, a busy police precinct, and White's apartment where personal and professional lives collide. The Unknown Comic performs on stage at a venue, creating a constant pull between the world of crime-solving and stage comedy. The various locations drive the plot, from investigative pursuits in the streets to intimate moments inside White's personal space and therapy sessions.

🏙️ City at Night 🍸 Bars & Nightlife 🚓 Police Precinct 🏠 White's Apartment 🎭 Theatre Venue 🏥 Psychiatrist's Office

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

Main Characters – Night Patrol (1984)

Meet the key characters of Night Patrol (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Melvin White

An inept, demoted police officer who longs for a different life. He secretly moonlights as The Unknown Comic, a masked stage persona that brings him fame and attention. His lack of self-awareness and blurred ethics create comic mishaps and tangled investigations as he tries to clear his name while staying in character.

🎭 Dual Identity 👮 Police 😂 Comedy 🧠 Insecurity

Kent Lane

White’s ten-year partner who revels in his own morally lax approach to work and life. He thrives on casual encounters and a no-holds-barred attitude, which complicates the duo’s dynamic. Lane’s presence adds a reckless edge to their investigations and a foil to White’s insecurities.

🚓 Partner 😏 Flirt 💥 Action 🧭 Morality

Sue Perman

A fellow officer who is attracted to White yet treats him as a buddy, creating unrequited tension. Her interest contrasts with White’s obliviousness, highlighting a gap between desire and understanding in their relationship. She serves as a subtle counterbalance to the chaotic main plot.

💘 Crush 👮 Cop 💬 Subtext 🫂 Friendship

Edith Hutton

A fan of The Unknown Comic who is drawn to uncovering the man behind the mask. Her fixation mirrors society’s obsession with celebrity and the myth of reveal, driving a subplot about truth and spectacle. Her pursuit intensifies the stakes around White’s concealed identity.

💖 Fan 🕵️‍♀️ Mystery 🎭 Fame 👀 Curiosity

The Unknown Comic

The masked stage persona that White performs as at night, generating fame and audience adoration. The character becomes the engine of the plot, creating opportunities and conflicts as White’s two worlds collide. The allure of the mask exposes how performance can overwhelm reality.

🎤 Stage Persona 🎭 Comedy ✨ Fame 🕶️ Mystery

Impersonator (Thief)

An anonymous thief who robs bars while disguised as The Unknown Comic, triggering a cascade of mistaken identities. The impersonator escalates danger and propels the detectives to close in, while the true identity remains elusive until the final confrontation.

🔪 Crime 🕵️ Impersonation 🥷 Disguise 🗝️ Mystery

The Psychiatrist

White’s psychiatrist who becomes entangled in the impersonation plot as a means to wealth, blending therapy with deception. The doctor’s involvement complicates perceptions of truth and control, underscoring the fragility of trust in high-stakes situations.

🧠 Therapy 💰 Greed 🕵️‍♂️ Deception ⚖️ Ethics

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

Major Themes – Night Patrol (1984)

Explore the central themes of Night Patrol (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

The narrative pivots on a man living a double life: a bumbling night patrolman by day and the masked Unknown Comic by night. This split identity fuels both comedy and danger, as performance bleeds into reality. The plot probes how far a persona can mask underlying truth and influence one’s actions. The tension between who White appears to be and who he actually is drives the central conflict.

💰 Fame

White’s alter ego promises fame and financial reward, drawing him toward a glamorous but precarious escape from ordinary police work. The film portrays celebrity allure through a satirical lens, showing how audience adoration can distort priorities. Relationships and integrity are tested as the lure of stardom competes with responsibility. The arc critiques the costs of chasing recognition at the expense of personal ethics.

⚖️ Authority & Deception

The film satirizes institutional authority, from a lying captain to a system that tolerates absurdity. White’s pursuit of truth clashes with manipulation around him, including impersonations and cover-ups. Therapy and performance blur lines between healing and manipulation, highlighting how trust can be weaponized. Ultimately, the story questions what happens when power is used to exploit rather than protect.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

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Unlock the Full Story of Night Patrol

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Night Patrol Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night Patrol, 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.

Night Patrol Summary

Night Patrol Timeline

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Night Patrol Timeline

More About Night Patrol

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