Raw Nerve

Raw Nerve

Year: 1991

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: David A. Prior

ActionHorrorThriller

Plagued by terrifying, mind‑shattering visions of young women being brutally murdered, race‑car driver Jimmy Clayton finds himself caught in a nightmare with no clues or motives. An intrepid investigative reporter hears his desperate story and works to piece together the grisly puzzle, hoping to uncover the source of the madness.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Raw Nerve 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 Nerve (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Raw Nerve (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama serves as a gritty Southern backdrop for a string of brutal murders. The city’s waterfront and dense urban core provide a claustrophobic setting for chases, confrontations, and investigations. Its Southern atmosphere adds a layer of atmosphere that blends local flavor with a high-stakes thriller vibe.

🔪 Crime 🌆 Urban ⚓ Port City

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:11

Main Characters – Raw Nerve (1991)

Meet the key characters of Raw Nerve (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy Clayton (Ted Prior)

A young race car driver who becomes a prime suspect in a spree of shotgun killings. He experiences visions about the killer and is eventually revealed to suffer from dissociative identity disorder, with an alter ego 'Billy' driving the murders. His charm masks a volatile inner struggle as the truth erupts in the climactic confrontation.

🧠 Duality

Gloria Freedman (Sandahl Bergman)

A reporter who falls for Jimmy and refuses to give up on his innocence. She pursues the killer’s true identity, teaming with the detectives to uncover the real killer. Her determination contrasts with the police’s initial skepticism, driving the investigation toward the truth.

📰 Reporter

Lt. Bruce Ellis (Jan-Michael Vincent)

A police detective who initially dismisses Jimmy’s visions but gradually follows the evidence to seek the truth. He balances professional duty with personal ties, including his ex-wife Gloria, while pursuing a killer who may be closer than expected.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective

Captain Gavin (Glenn Ford)

Ellis’s superior who oversees the case and drives the investigation with a wary, hands-on approach. He remains cautious about siding with Jimmy until the evidence points to a suspect and the threat is understood.

🗺️ Authority

Blake Garrett (Randall 'Tex' Cobb)

A rogue biker who becomes entwined with the murders by kidnapping Gina and declaring he’s protecting her. He knows about Jimmy’s dissociative identity disorder and protects him out of loyalty, ultimately killing himself after the climactic pursuit.

🤝 Loyalty

Gina Clayton (Traci Lords)

Jimmy’s younger sister who is abducted by Blake and used as leverage in the pursuit. Her fate drives the chase through Mobile’s streets and the airport sequence, ending with her release as the killer’s identity is revealed.

👧 Sister

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:11

Major Themes – Raw Nerve (1991)

Explore the central themes of Raw Nerve (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Dual Identity

Jimmy Clayton's struggle with dissociative identity disorder drives the plot, with his alter ego Billy taking center stage as the killer. The narrative plays with unreliable perception as Jimmy’s visions collide with reality. The twist reframes the danger as originating from within, not from an external monster.

🔎 Misjudgment

Law enforcement and Gloria misjudge Jimmy at the outset, reflecting how fear and speculation can drive the investigation. The pursuit of the killer becomes a test of trust, proof, and persistence. As clues unfold, the truth about Jimmy’s innocence—and the real threat—gets reframed.

🌆 Urban Violence

Set against Mobile’s gritty streets, the murders cast a shadow over the city and pull its residents into a web of suspicion. The airport chase and parking-garage pursuit heighten tension while blurring lines between witness, suspect, and protector. The film uses the urban setting to amplify fear and urgency.

🤝 Loyalty

Blake’s protective loyalty toward Jimmy adds a troubling layer to the case, complicating who is trusted and why. His knowledge of Jimmy’s DID reframes motive and allegiance. The final confrontation shows how loyalty can mask violence and hinder justice.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:11

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Raw Nerve

Don't stop at just watching — explore Raw Nerve 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 Nerve is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Raw Nerve Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Raw Nerve, 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 Nerve Summary

Raw Nerve Timeline

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

Raw Nerve Timeline

More About Raw Nerve

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Raw Nerve: 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 Nerve

Similar Movies to Raw Nerve

Discover movies like Raw Nerve 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.