Stingray

Stingray

Year: 1978

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Taylor

Action

Stingray burns across the screen as drug dealers Lonigan and his partner Tony shoot two cops who try to frame them, then flee with a million dollars and a stash of drugs hidden in a red Corvette Stingray parked at a used‑car lot. When they return for the loot with their boss Abigail, they discover the car has been bought by two carefree men, Elmo and Al. A frantic chase ensues, pitting the dealers and the police against the unsuspecting new owners.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Stingray (1978)

Trace every key event in Stingray (1978) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Deal goes wrong when buyers are killed after tracker is found

Murray Lonigan and Tony Agrosio gun down the two buyers once they realize a homer tracking device is hidden inside the briefcase containing the million-dollar payment. The brutal execution triggers a police response as chaos erupts on the road. The cash and drugs are left exposed, forcing the gang to improvise a new plan.

On the road near the sale
2

Corvette stash to hide money and drugs

Lonigan and Agrosio stash the money and drugs inside a Corvette Stingray at a local used car lot. Lt. Herschel suspects their involvement and has them brought to the precinct for questioning, but he lets them go with orders for his partner Murphy to tail them. The Stingray becomes the focal point for the pursuit.

Used car lot
3

Abigail Bratowski and Rosco join the operation

Murray and Tony are joined by their boss Abigail Bratowski, who is disguised as a nun, and her associate Rosco. The trio brings resources and danger to the already volatile chase. They formalize the gang’s plan to retain the cash and heroin.

Car lot vicinity
4

The gang evades Murphy and heads for the car lot

The quartet manages to lose Murphy and makes their way back toward the car lot to continue their pursuit of Al and Elmo. The tension between law enforcement and criminals tightens as the chase resumes.

City streets toward the car lot
5

Al and Elmo encounter the car sale; cops killed

The Corvette is being purchased by Al and Elmo, two buddies. Abigail’s crew opens fire on the pursuing cops, killing them, and Al and Elmo escape with the vehicle. Lonigan and Tony follow with renewed desperation.

Car lot
6

Lonigan buys a tracker to locate the homer

Lonigan purchases a tracker to geolocate the homer inside the Stingray, hoping to stay ahead of the others. The plan intensifies the cat-and-mouse game as the chase continues.

City street
7

A ladder accident disables Herschel’s car

The pursuit resumes with Herschel and Murphy in a police car. A fallen ladder disables Herschel’s vehicle, momentarily halting the chase. Abigail uses the lull to pressure Lonigan to reveal himself so she can change out of her nun disguise.

Road near the construction zone
8

Service station discovery of heroin and a new plan

Al and Elmo pull into a service station and discover bags of heroin in the backseat. Seeing an opportunity, Elmo urges that they sell the drugs to fund their escape. Abigail and her crew arrive just as the plan starts to take shape, escalating the confrontation.

Service station
9

Ronnie B's bar fight and weapon theft

At Ronnie B's bar, Abigail's group tracks the fugitives. A patron is rebuffed with violence, triggering a memorable brawl. Al and Elmo seize a machine gun from Abigail and slip away, leaving Abigail and her crew pursuing in vain.

Ronnie B's bar
10

APB issued as the bar scene ends

Herschel and Murphy arrive at the bar and the police chief orders an APB on Abigail and her gang, escalating the manhunt. The criminals briefly gain the upper hand before the net tightens again.

Ronnie B's bar
11

Abigail carjacks a car and attacks Lonigan

The next day, Abigail carjacks an Austin-Healey, shoots the driver dead, and tracks Lonigan and Tony. She stabs Lonigan to death but spares Tony, provided that he will share the million dollars with her.

City streets
12

Final confrontation ends in betrayal and death

A three-way gun battle ensues, during which Tony betrays Abigail and is shot dead. Abigail is killed when her own gun, left in the door by Al, accidentally discharges. Herschel and Murphy arrive as the carnage ends, while a girl manages to hide the drugs briefcase.

City streets
13

The case disappears and Al's fate is revealed

The drug case is later found missing, stolen by a bum. Al appears to have fallen into the river, but Elmo discovers that Al was only playing dead. After some reflection, the pair decide to flee the country, planning a vacation to Bolivia.

River and city

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:00

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These films are connected by their focus on the consequences of ambition and greed, a tone of desperate anxiety, and a plot structure where a single mistake snowballs into life-threatening chaos. They share a visceral, grounded feel where the stakes are dire, but the emotional core is the characters' struggle to escape a situation they never intended to be in.

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

Stingray Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stingray, 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.

Stingray Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Stingray

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Stingray

Stingray Spoiler-Free Summary

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Stingray Spoiler-Free Summary

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