Street Smart

Year: 1987

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Jerry Schatzberg

DramaThrillerCrime

A struggling reporter crafts a sensational exposé on street prostitution, hoping to boost his career. The fabricated story proves successful, but the consequences are far-reaching and dangerous. He becomes deeply involved with the ruthless pimp who inspired his article, a complex and dangerous relationship that puts his life at risk as he attempts to conceal the truth behind his story.

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Timeline & Setting – Street Smart (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Street Smart (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

Main Characters – Street Smart (1987)

Meet the key characters of Street Smart (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

Major Themes – Street Smart (1987)

Explore the central themes of Street Smart (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:35

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Unethical Journalism Thrillers like Street Smart

Stories where media ambition leads to dangerous lies and heavy consequences.For viewers who liked the tense, morally complex world of Street Smart, this list features movies about journalists facing the consequences of their lies. Discover similar gritty thrillers and dramas where media manipulation leads to danger, exploring themes of corruption, urban survival, and the heavy price of ambition.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a protagonist who achieves career success through a lie, which then forces them deeper into a corrupt world. The narrative is driven by the escalating consequences of their fabrication, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere of fear, guilt, and external threats that often climaxes in a violent or emotionally devastating confrontation.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a focus on the dark side of media, the tension between ambition and ethics, and the inescapable fallout of a single deceitful act. They are united by a gritty, cynical tone, steady pacing that builds dread, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the protagonist's moral collapse.

Gritty Urban Crime Thrillers like Street Smart

Thrillers set in the decaying city where a lie pulls the protagonist into crime.If you liked the tense atmosphere and urban decay of Street Smart, explore more movies set in gritty city underworlds. These stories feature morally ambiguous characters, high-stakes crime, and a steady build of tension as protagonists get in over their heads with dangerous figures, leading to bittersweet or bleak outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an ordinary person making a fateful decision that connects them to the criminal world. The setting—a decaying, tense urban environment—becomes a character itself, reflecting the protagonist's internal crisis. The story unfolds as a steady descent, focusing on the complex, often abusive relationship with a criminal mentor or antagonist and the inevitable violent climax.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their immersive, oppressive urban settings and the core theme of a character's irreversible descent into a world of crime. They share a dark, gritty tone, high intensity fueled by constant threat, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the consequences of crossing a moral line.

Unlock the Full Story of Street Smart

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

Street Smart Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Street Smart, 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.

Street Smart Timeline

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

Street Smart Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Street Smart

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Street Smart: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Street Smart

Discover movies like Street Smart 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.