Recoil

Recoil

Year: 2012

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Terry Miles

ActionDramaThrillerCrime

A police officer embarks on a violent path of revenge after the tragic loss of his family. Driven by grief and a desire for justice, he begins targeting not only the individuals responsible for their deaths, but also other criminals who have evaded the legal system. His actions blur the lines between law and vigilantism, as he seeks to punish those he believes have escaped accountability.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Recoil 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 – Recoil (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Recoil (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2009

Set in 2009, the film follows an ex-cop who travels from Dallas to Hope to confront a violent biker gang. The late-2000s setting gives a gritty, gun-heavy atmosphere to the pursuit of justice. The events culminate in a concentrated showdown between a lone vigilante and a criminal empire.

Location

Hope, Washington, Dallas, Texas

Hope, Washington is a small town that becomes a battleground under the Circle biker gang. It features a gas station, a tiny hotel run by Darcy, and an abandoned ferry boat used as a gang HQ. The town's fragile order collapses as Ryan Varrett fights to topple the gang and protect its residents.

🌲 Small Town 🔫 Crime 🏍️ Biker Culture 🗺️ Lawlessness

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:03

Main Characters – Recoil (2012)

Meet the key characters of Recoil (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ryan Varrett (Steve Austin)

An ex-cop driven by the murder of his wife and son, Ryan pursues vengeance with relentless grit. He relies on combat skill and street-smarts to take on the Circle and dismantle its grip on Hope. His mission tests his morality as violence blurs into personal justice.

🗡️ Ex-cop 💥 Vengeance ⚖️ Morality

Drayke Salgado (Danny Trejo)

Leader of the Circle biker gang and mastermind of the attack on Ryan's family. He is ruthless and calculating, coordinating arms, drugs, and intimidation to extend his grip over Hope. His confrontations with Ryan push the town toward all-out war.

🔥 Antagonist 🧭 Power 💊 Drug trade

Rex Ray Salgado (Noel Gugliemi)

A key Circle member and Drayke’s brother, Rex helps run the gang’s operations and drug distribution. He embodies the violent, reckless side of the Circle and meets a violent end at Ryan’s hands.

🔥 Gang member 🗡️ Violence 💊 Drug trade

Darcy (Serinda-Swan)

Gas station owner who points Ryan toward Darcy's hotel and becomes a local ally against the Circle. She embodies the town’s resilience and chooses to stay in Hope even as the conflict escalates.

🤝 Ally 🏘️ Town-resident 🛡️ Protector

Sutton (Lochlyn Munro)

A pragmatic figure who arrives to confront the Circle. He opposes Sheriff Cole’s corruption and ultimately shoots Drayke, marking a turning point in the town’s fight for control.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 🧭 Turning point 🗡️ Risk

Sheriff Cole (Tom McBeath)

The town sheriff who is in Drayke’s pocket, attempting to appease the bikers rather than protect residents. His collapse under pressure ends with suicide after the town’s crisis peaks.

🕶️ Corruption 🗺️ Authority ⚖️ Loss of control

Kirby (Patrick Gilmore)

Gas station owner who helps Ryan by pointing him toward Darcy. He is killed by Crab as the Circle tightens its grip on Hope.

🧭 Local guide 💀 Tragic death

Deputy Hedge (Adam Greydon Reid)

The sheriff’s son who initially navigates the Circle’s danger and provides crucial information. After Cole’s death, Hedge steps into the role of sheriff, signaling a new balance of power.

🕵️‍♂️ Lawman 🏛️ Power shift ⚖️ Loyalty

Crab (Keith Jardine)

Drayke’s right-hand man and enforcer who brutalizes opponents and murders Kirby, contributing to the town’s peril. He is ultimately burned to death by Ryan.

🗡️ Enforcer 🔥 Brutality

Dale Burrows (Roman Podhora)

The rapist whose crime against Ryan’s family partly catalyzes the revenge saga. His murder by Ryan fuels the cycle of violence that follows.

💥 Victim 🗡️ Catalyst

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:03

Major Themes – Recoil (2012)

Explore the central themes of Recoil (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Vengeance

Ryan's quest for revenge drives the narrative from the murder of his family to the confrontations with the Circle. The film explores the moral costs of vigilante justice as violence spirals and loyalties are tested.

🏛️ Corruption

Hope's leadership is compromised as Sheriff Cole is in the Circle's pocket, allowing the gang to tighten its grip. The Circle's influence corrupts institutions and delays protection for residents. Deputy Hedge's shift toward justice highlights the town's fragile power balance.

🏍️ Biker War

The Circle's crimes escalate into all-out war as arms and drugs flow through Hope. The ex-cop and Darcy rally against the gang while the town's institutions fray under pressure. The final confrontation shows the human cost of this street war, ending with Drayke's death at the hands of Sutton.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 20:03

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 Recoil

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

Recoil Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Recoil, 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.

Recoil Summary

Recoil Timeline

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

Recoil Timeline

Recoil Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Recoil that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Recoil Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Recoil

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