Recoil

Recoil

Year: 2010

Runtime: 41 mins

Language: English

CrimeComedyAction

Detectives Peterson and McMurphy pursue a cocaine‑dealing gang. Their chase brings them to infiltrate a costume party, posing as guests to gather evidence and apprehend the criminals. The undercover operation tests their wits as they work to bring the dealers to justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Recoil (2010)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Recoil (2010). 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 story unfolds in the late-2000s American landscape of crime and vigilante justice. It follows the aftermath of a family murder and the pursuit of those responsible. The period’s gritty tone underscores the film's focus on street-level violence and police-vs-gang dynamics.

Location

Dallas, Texas, Hope, Washington

Dallas, Texas serves as the starting backdrop where Ryan Varrett's police career ends in tragedy. The action shifts to Hope, a small town in Washington that becomes a battleground under the Circle biker gang. The setting moves between storefronts, a secluded ferry boat, and the town's motels, framing the confrontation.

🏙️ Dallas 🗺️ Hope

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

Main Characters – Recoil (2010)

Meet the key characters of Recoil (2010), 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

A former Dallas police officer who becomes a lone vigilante after his wife and son are murdered. He is relentless, skilled in combat, and haunted by grief, yet wary of destroying what he seeks to protect. His quest for justice drives him through Hope as he confronts a powerful biker gang.

🗡️ Vigilante 🔥 Relentless 💔 Grief-stricken

Darcy

A woman who runs a small hotel in Hope and becomes Ryan's ally. She navigates a town controlled by the Circle and helps Ryan evade danger. Ultimately, she chooses to stay in Hope, signaling a fragile tie to the town's future.

🤝 Ally 🏨 Innkeeper 🛡️ Protective

Rex Ray Salgado

A Circle member who supplies Drayke with crucial leverage, including a meth recipe. He embodies the gang’s cunning and willingness to manipulate, contributing to the conflict that devastates Hope.

🕷️ Gang Member 💡 Cunning

Drayke Salgado

Leader of the Circle and the mastermind behind the assault on Ryan's family. He is ruthless, strategic, and eager to wage war to maintain the gang's power and profits.

🗡️ Leader 🔥 Ruthless

Sheriff Cole

The town sheriff who is in Drayke’s pocket, attempting to protect Hope by appeasing the bikers. His collapse into despair leads to his suicide, marking a turning point in the town’s fate.

🏛️ Corrupt ⚖️ Compromised

Deputy Hedge

An honest deputy who resists Drayke’s influence and partners with Sutton to challenge the Circle. His determination helps organize a counterforce against the gang.

🧭 Honest 🛡️ Loyal

Kirby

Gas station owner who points Ryan toward Darcy. His murder at the hands of Crab marks a brutal escalation in the town’s violence.

⛽ Gas Station Owner ⚠️ Catalyst

Crab

Drayke’s brutal right-hand man who carries out violent acts, including killing Kirby. His fate is sealed by Ryan’s pursuit of justice.

🗡️ Henchman ⚔️ Violent

Special Agent Frank Sutton

An FBI agent investigating the Circle’s criminal enterprises who becomes a key strategist in coordinating efforts with Hedge. He ultimately contributes to Drayke’s downfall by firing the shot that ends him.

🧭 Law enforcement 💥 Strategic

Constance Marie Varrett

Ryan’s wife, whose murder catalyzes the entire pursuit of vengeance that drives the plot.

💔 Family 🕯️ Tragic

Matt Ryan Varrett

Ryan and Constance’s son, whose death anchors the personal stake of the protagonist and fuels his relentless drive for justice.

💔 Family 🕯️ Tragic

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

Major Themes – Recoil (2010)

Explore the central themes of Recoil (2010), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Vengeance

A former cop becomes a lone vigilante after his family is murdered. The film tracks his relentless pursuit of those responsible, pushing moral boundaries. It explores the costs of violence on individuals and communities when justice is sought through revenge.

🕷️ Corruption

Hope is shown as a town where the Circle gang exerts control through corruption and fear. Sheriff Cole’s willingness to align with the gang highlights how power can bend law enforcement. The narrative reveals how criminal networks entangle local authorities and destabilize a community.

💔 Trauma

The murder of Ryan's wife and son drives the plot, shaping his psyche and choices. Darcy's presence offers a glimmer of normalcy amid violence, but the town's trauma persists. The story probes how loss reverberates through survivors and redefines loyalty and hope.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

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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

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Recoil Timeline

More About Recoil

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