Raw Deal

Raw Deal

Year: 1986

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: John Irvin

ActionThrillerCrime

A shocking incident at a college party triggers a complex and controversial investigation. This unflinching documentary, led by Billy Corben, explores a disputed rape case, presenting conflicting accounts and blurring the lines between truth and deception. The film combines disturbing real footage with the details of the ensuing investigation, raising difficult questions about consent, accountability, and the pursuit of justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Raw Deal yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Raw Deal (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Raw Deal (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1980s

The action unfolds in the mid-1980s, a era of hard-edged crime dramas featuring heavy gunfights and undercover police work. The FBI and Chicago-area mob dynamics shape the mood, with volatile loyalties and public-safety pressure driving the plot. The period underscores a time when undercover operations could escalate into explosive confrontations.

Location

Remote wooded cabin, Patrovita's casino in a hotel basement, Cemetery, Gravel pit, Airport

The story unfolds across a remote, wooded cabin used to protect informants and plan operations, moving later to a high-class casino hidden in a hotel basement. Other key locations include a cemetery where hits are carried out, a gravel pit used for swift, brutal sieges, and an airport used for swift getaways. These varied settings give the film its gritty, procedural feel as undercover work collides with all-out mob violence.

🌲 Remote setting 🕵️‍♂️ Crime landscape 🏨 Hidden casino

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:12

Main Characters – Raw Deal (1986)

Meet the key characters of Raw Deal (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mark Kaminski (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

A former FBI agent turned small-town sheriff who fakes his own death to infiltrate the Chicago Outfit. He is calculating, fiercely determined, and willing to operate outside official channels to dismantle Patrovita's empire. His journey tests loyalty to family and country as he escalates from undercover operative to a one-man assault on the mob.

🎯 Steady 🧭 Calculated 💥 Violent

Amy Kaminski (Kathryn Harrold)

Mark's alcoholic wife who resents their modest, unsettled life. She anchors the personal cost of Kaminski's unsafe mission and provides a human counterpoint to his relentless pursuit of justice. Her struggles with sobriety and stability highlight the strain placed on family by his undercover work.

💔 Troubled 🏠 Family 💪 Resilient

Max Keller (Ed Lauter)

Patrovita's right-hand lieutenant, skeptical of the new undercover operative Brenner. He underestimates Kaminski but demonstrates ruthless efficiency, making him a formidable obstacle. His discovery of Kaminski's ruse ultimately leads to a fatal confrontation.

🕶️ Loyalist ⚔️ Ruthless 🔎 Suspicious

Luigi Patrovita (Sam Wanamaker)

The Chicago Outfit boss who dominates with charisma and brutal efficiency. He sees Kaminski as a threat to his empire and fights to maintain his territory and the loyalty of his lieutenants. His downfall comes in a blaze of gunfire as Kaminski corners him.

👑 Power 🗡️ Violent 💣 Corrupt

Paulo Rocca (Robert Davi)

Patrovita's top lieutenant and enforcer, orchestrating operations from the shadows. He seeks to keep his boss's power intact and is a key obstacle for Brenner. His demise comes during the casino showdown when Kaminski's vengeance reaches its peak.

🧯 Enforcer 🕵️‍♂️ Shadowy ⚔️ Deadly

Martin Lamanski (Paul Shenar)

A rival mob boss threatening Patrovita's turf, whom Brenner uses as a leverage point in his infiltration. He is drawn into Kaminski's calculated manipulation and meets a violent end as Kaminski enforces his own sense of justice.

🏴 Rival 💼 Corporate crime 🔪 Violent

Marvin Baxter (Steven Hill)

The Special Federal Prosecutor whose aggressive push for action triggers Kaminski's risky undercover operation. His internal leak becomes a pivotal plot point, illustrating corruption within the legal system. His fate bitterly underlines the costs of political ambition.

🏛️ Prosecutor 🗝️ Corruption 💥 Confrontation

Harry Shannon (Darren McGavin)

An FBI agent and Blair Shannon's father who vows to exact revenge for his son's death. He represents institutional resolve behind Kaminski's mission and helps push the undercover plan forward. He remains a steady, Fatherly presence amid escalating violence.

👨‍💼 Agent 🧭 Family 🗡️ Vengeance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:12

Major Themes – Raw Deal (1986)

Explore the central themes of Raw Deal (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Undercover

Kaminski assumes a false identity and infiltrates Patrovita's operation, relying on deception and stealth to dismantle the mob. The mission hinges on discretion, timing, and the risk of exposure. The undercover path tests loyalty and the boundaries of law enforcement.

🔥 Revenge

The death of Blair Shannon sparks Kaminski's relentless pursuit of the mob, turning his mission into a personal vendetta. Violence escalates as he targets Patrovita's hierarchy, exacting a brutal retribution. Revenge drives both the plot and Kaminski's transformation.

⚖️ Moral Ambition

The film probes the tension between justice and vigilantism as Kaminski bends rules to bring down a corrupt network. Prosecution and payoff collide with his personal code, challenging the ethics of his tactical choices. The story asks whether ends justify the means in the face of systemic crime.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:12

Unlock the Full Story of Raw Deal

Don't stop at just watching — explore Raw Deal in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Raw Deal is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Raw Deal Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Raw Deal, 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.

Raw Deal Summary

Raw Deal Timeline

Track the full timeline of Raw Deal with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Raw Deal Timeline

More About Raw Deal

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Raw Deal: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Raw Deal

Similar Movies to Raw Deal

Discover movies like Raw Deal that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.