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R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022) movie poster

Characters & Themes

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 102 min · English
Echo score 32
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Directed by
Paul Leyden
Starring
Richard Brake, Jake Choi, Jeffrey Donovan, Craige Els, Evlyne Oyedokun, Penelope Mitchell

After his unexpected death in 1876, Sheriff Roy Pulsipher is given a second chance as a member of the Rest In Peace Department, an organization dedicated to policing the spirit world. Partnered with an undead agent, he seeks to resolve personal matters while confronting a dangerous new threat. A sinister plot involving a portal to hell opens in Red Creek, jeopardizing humanity and forcing them to fight for survival.

On this page (10)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Dreams & reality explained
  8. 8 Movie threads
  9. 9 Movies like R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned
  10. 10 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Otis Clairborne

    played by Richard Brake

    Otis Clairborne is a cunning antagonist whose greed opens a gateway to hell, exposing the town to danger. His character embodies the themes of avarice and treachery, as his actions directly lead to the turmoil faced by Roy and the other characters. Despite appearing as a criminal, his character's complexity adds depth to the story's conflict.

    • 👿 Villain
    • 💰 Greed
    • 🏴‍☠️ Criminal
  • Roy Pulsipher

    played by Jeffrey Donovan

    Sheriff Roy Pulsipher is a dedicated lawman who returns from the afterlife to protect the living. His character is marked by determination and a strong sense of justice, showcasing his willingness to confront evil despite his own demise. Roy's journey is one of growth, as he learns to confront his fears and fight alongside his new partner, Jeanne.

    • 👮‍♂️ Hero
    • ⚖️ Justice
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • Jeanne d'Arc

    played by Evlyne Oyedokun

    Jeanne d'Arc is a formidable warrior who partners with Roy in the battle against the Deados. Her character is defined by her bravery and resourcefulness, especially in overcoming her fears. Jeanne's determination to close the gateway to hell highlights her commitment to the cause and her growth throughout the story.

    • ⚔️ Warrior
    • 💪 Courage
    • 🌟 Resilience
  • Slim Samuels

    played by Jake Choi

    Slim Samuels is portrayed as a complex character whose initial role as a suspect unfolds into a partnership with Roy and Jeanne. He is both a victim of circumstances and a crucial ally in their fight against Clairborne. Slim's redemption arc adds a layer of intrigue to his character.

    • 🤝 Ally
    • 🔄 Redemption
    • 🤔 Misunderstood
  • Mayor Julius Butterfield

    played by Craige Els

    Mayor Julius Butterfield is a deceptive figure who embodies betrayal within the unfolding chaos. His initial position of authority masks ulterior motives, ultimately leading to conflicts that endanger the protagonists. Butterfield's character serves as a reminder of how power can corrupt intentions.

    • 🏛️ Corruption
    • ⚖️ Authority
    • 🚨 Deception

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 12:13

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6 characters · 6 connections · contains spoilers

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
OCOtis ClairborneRichard BrakeRPRoy PulsipherJeffrey DonovanJDJeanne d'ArcEvlyne OyedokunSSSlim SamuelsJake ChoiAAngusCPCharlottePulsipher

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 12:13

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Setting

Where and When Does R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Take Place?

The setting of R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events of the movie unfold in a modern-day setting, following the conventions of classic supernatural Westerns. It blends elements of the afterlife with present-day concerns, showcasing a struggle between good and evil in a lawless environment. This contemporary period is marked by the clash of old-world values and modern threats.

Location

Red Creek, Utah

Red Creek is a small, dusty town in Utah, characterized by its remote desert landscape. It features a mix of rustic charm and hidden dangers, particularly due to the influences of the supernatural. The town's key locations include a hotel and a mine, which hide dark secrets and serve as crucial points in the battle against evil forces.

  • 🏜️ Desert
  • 🏙️ Town
  • 🔒 Prison

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 12:13

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3 major themes

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Redemption

    The theme of redemption is central to the story as Sheriff Roy Pulsipher seeks a second chance to save humanity and confront his past. Through his partnership with Jeanne, he grapples with his former life and the need to overcome his limitations. This quest for redemption is mirrored in the fight against evil and the restoration of justice.

  • Betrayal

    Betrayal is a recurring theme in the film, exemplified by Mayor Julius Butterfield's duplicitous actions. The tension rises as characters navigate alliances and face the repercussions of treachery. This theme highlights the complexity of trust in a world where intentions can be deceptive and the line between good and evil blurs.

  • Heroism

    Heroism is depicted through the character of Roy, who, despite his death, continues to fight for the living. His courage, alongside Jeanne's fierce determination, showcases the idea that one can be a hero beyond their mortal limitations. The film emphasizes that true heroism involves sacrifice and the relentless pursuit of justice, even against overwhelming odds.

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 12:13

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Character & theme questions

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned set?

The movie takes place in Red Creek, a small desert town in Utah. This remote dusty location features a hotel and an abandoned mine, both of which play key roles in the story's supernatural conflict. The setting blends rustic Western charm with hidden supernatural dangers.

  • red creek
  • utah
  • desert town
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What is the Rest In Peace Department?

The Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.) is an afterlife law enforcement organization that polices the spirit world. In this movie, Sheriff Roy Pulsipher is recruited into the R.I.P.D. after his death, becoming an undead agent tasked with protecting the living from supernatural threats.

  • r.i.p.d.
  • rest in peace department
  • afterlife
  • supernatural police
Q3

What is the redemption theme in R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned?

Redemption is the central theme of the film. Sheriff Roy Pulsipher is given a second chance at life through the R.I.P.D. to make things right and save humanity. His journey involves confronting his past failures and proving he can be a hero even after death.

  • redemption
  • second chance
  • sheriff roy pulsipher
  • hero journey
Q4

What role does betrayal play in the movie?

Betrayal is a key theme demonstrated through Mayor Julius Butterfield, who appears trustworthy but harbors duplicitous motives. The film explores how betrayal complicates alliances and blurs the line between good and evil, with characters facing the consequences of treachery.

  • betrayal
  • mayor butterfield
  • trust
  • deception
Q5

Who is Sheriff Roy Pulsipher?

Sheriff Roy Pulsipher is the protagonist who returns from the afterlife as a member of the R.I.P.D. A dedicated lawman in life, he now fights to protect the living while seeking redemption for his past. His determination and sense of justice drive the story forward.

  • roy pulsipher
  • sheriff
  • protagonist
  • undead hero
Q6

Who is Jeanne d'Arc in R.I.P.D. 2?

Jeanne d'Arc is Roy's partner in the R.I.P.D., depicted as a fierce warrior who helps battle the Deados. She is brave, resourceful, and determined to close the gateway to hell. Her character showcases growth as she overcomes her fears throughout the story.

  • jeanne d'arc
  • warrior
  • partner
  • deados
Q7

Who is Otis Clairborne in R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned?

Otis Clairborne serves as the main antagonist whose greedy actions open a gateway to hell in Red Creek. His character embodies avarice and treachery, directly causing the supernatural threat that endangers the town and forces Roy and Jeanne into battle.

  • otis clairborne
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • hell gateway
Q8

Who is Mayor Julius Butterfield?

Mayor Julius Butterfield is a deceptive figure who appears to be a trustworthy authority figure in Red Creek but harbors ulterior motives. His betrayal endangers the protagonists and demonstrates how power can corrupt intentions within the story's chaos.

  • mayor butterfield
  • betrayal
  • authority
  • corrupt
Q9

What are the Deados in R.I.P.D. 2?

The Deados are monstrous supernatural creatures that serve as the primary antagonists in the film. They are spirits or demons unleashed when the gateway to hell is opened, and Roy and Jeanne must fight them throughout the movie to protect humanity.

  • deados
  • monsters
  • demons
  • supernatural threats
Q10

What is the time period and tone of R.I.P.D. 2?

The movie takes place in modern-day but embraces classic supernatural Western conventions. The tone is dark due to the hellish threat, possession, and violence, but it's blended with comedic elements from the R.I.P.D. concept and Roy's chaotic re-entry into the living world.

  • modern day
  • western
  • tone
  • dark comedy
  • setting era
Q11

How is heroism depicted in R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned?

Heroism is portrayed through Roy, who continues fighting for the living despite his death, and Jeanne, whose determination never wavers. The film emphasizes that true heroism involves sacrifice and relentless pursuit of justice, even against overwhelming supernatural odds.

  • heroism
  • sacrifice
  • justice
  • courage

3 realities · 4 crossings · contains spoilers

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned Reality Map: Dreams & Worlds Explained

The map covers three realms: the living world centered on the desert town of Red Creek, the afterlife office of the Rest In Peace Department, and hell. Roy's death takes him to the R.I.P.D. office, which dispatches him back to Earth as an undead agent, while Clairborne's greed opens a gateway to hell in the town's mine.

Top levelRealLevel 11Level 1Real worldLiving Earth (Red Creek)The modern-day living world, centered on thesmall desert town of Red Creek, Utah, with it…Roy PulsipherRPJeanne d'ArcJDOtis ClairborneOCReal worldR.I.P.D. Afterlife OfficeThe afterlife office of the Rest In PeaceDepartment, a law-enforcement agency that rec…Roy PulsipherRPUnknownHellA hellish realm reachable through a gatewaythat opens in the Red Creek mine, from which…
Who
Read the realities and crossings as text
  • Real world

    Living Earth (Red Creek)

    The modern-day living world, centered on the small desert town of Red Creek, Utah, with its hotel and the abandoned mine where a gateway to hell opens.

  • Real world

    R.I.P.D. Afterlife Office

    The afterlife office of the Rest In Peace Department, a law-enforcement agency that recruits the dead as undead agents and dispatches them back to Earth.

  • Unknown

    Hell

    A hellish realm reachable through a gateway that opens in the Red Creek mine, from which a demonic entity and the Deados emerge.

How the realities connect

  • Way in: Living Earth (Red Creek) → R.I.P.D. Afterlife Office, Roy's death takes him to the afterlife office

    After being killed by Clairborne's gang, Sheriff Roy Pulsipher's ascent to the afterlife is interrupted when he finds himself in the R.I.P.D. office.

  • Way out: R.I.P.D. Afterlife Office → Living Earth (Red Creek), Undead agent returns to Earth

    By shaking hands with office manager Hano, Roy commits to the R.I.P.D. and is swiftly dispatched back to Earth as an undead agent, re-entering chaotically in Red Creek.

  • Way in: Hell → Living Earth (Red Creek), Gateway to hell opens in the mine

    While searching for treasure in the mine, Otis Clairborne unknowingly opens a portal to hell, allowing a demonic entity to cross over and possess him.

  • Affects: Living Earth (Red Creek) → Hell, Holy tears seal the rift

    Jeanne leaps over the open gateway to hell in the mine and uses a drop of Jesus' tears, an artifact she safeguarded for centuries, to seal the rift.

Movie threads

More Movies Like R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Undead law enforcement movies like R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned

Action-packed stories of otherworldly agents policing the paranormal. If you liked the supernatural buddy cop action of R.I.P.D. 2, explore more movies with similar stories of undead agents. These films feature chaotic action, quirky partnerships, and high-stakes missions policing the afterlife and its threats to humanity.

  • supernatural
  • action-packed
  • quirky
  • chaotic
  • tense
  • otherworldly
  • Tone: dark, quirky
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward mission: a new recruit, grappling with their own death, is paired with a seasoned partner to stop a supernatural menace. The journey involves uncovering a plot, facing monstrous enemies, and a final confrontation that saves the world but leaves the hero bound to their new supernatural duty.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their core premise of a supernatural police force, a mix of high-intensity action and dark comedy, and the recurring theme of finding purpose in the afterlife through chaotic, world-saving partnerships.

Bittersweet afterlife redemption stories like R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned

Heroic sacrifices lead to a new purpose beyond death, with a poignant cost. Fans of the bittersweet hero's journey in R.I.P.D. 2 will enjoy similar movies about finding purpose after death. These stories blend action and emotional weight, where saving the day comes with the personal cost of being separated from loved ones forever.

  • bittersweet
  • determined
  • sacrificial
  • tense
  • action-packed
  • redemptive
  • Tone: dark, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist dying and being offered a chance at redemption in a new, supernatural role. Their journey resolves an external threat but also a personal arc, leading to an ending where the world is safe, but the hero's personal sacrifice—being eternally separated from their previous life—casts a poignant shadow over the victory.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that share a specific emotional arc: a high-stakes, action-oriented plot intertwined with a deeply personal theme of sacrifice and a bittersweet conclusion where heroism and loss are inseparable.

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Every angle

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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