Stripped to Kill

Stripped to Kill

Year: 1987

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Katt Shea

DramaCrimeThrillers and murder mysteriesIntriguing and suspenseful murder mysteriesSuspenseful crime thrillers

Detective Sheehan discovers a serial killer targeting strippers in Los Angeles. To stop him, she agrees to become the bait, allowing her partner to have her pose as a dancer and lure the murderer. Using her own body as the only weapon, Sheehan infiltrates the underground club scene, confronting the maniac before he strikes again.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Stripped to Kill (1987)

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

Time period

Location

Skid Row, Los Angeles, Rock Bottom Club

The story unfolds on Skid Row in Los Angeles, a gritty urban backdrop that frames the crimes and police work. The Rock Bottom Club serves as a neon-lit hub where dancers perform and danger lurks close to the surface. The location highlights a subculture of nightlife, vulnerability, and exploitation that drives the tension throughout the investigation.

🏙️ Urban setting 🎭 Club environment

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:23

Main Characters – Stripped to Kill (1987)

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

Detective Cody Sheenan (Kay Lenz)

A determined undercover officer who infiltrates the Rock Bottom club to solve the murder. She navigates danger, deception, and a complicated personal dynamic with Heineman while staying focused on the case. Her courage is tested as she defies orders and digs for the truth.

🎯 Determined 🕵️‍♀️ Undercover

Detective Heineman (Greg Evigan)

Cody's partner who harbors romantic feelings for her, creating tension with professional duties. He investigates potential suspects while wrestling with personal conflict and a complicated relationship with Cody. His attempts to balance duty and desire drive part of the investigation's emotional arc.

💘 Romantic tension ⚖️ Duty vs. desire

Ray (Norman Fell)

The club owner who offers Cody work and exerts control over the dancers, creating a dangerous, manipulating environment behind the scenes. His charisma masks exploitation and the power dynamics at the club.

💼 Club owner 🕷️ Manipulative

Angel

One of the club's dancers and the initial murder victim whose death catalyzes the investigation. Her fate sets the tone for the danger inside the club and the brutality of the killer's reach.

🎯 Victim 🕯️ Catalyst

Cinnamon

A dancer let go by Ray due to her drug addiction, whose fate foreshadows the killer's brutality and the peril facing the club's performers.

💊 Addictive lifestyle 🧭 Loose ends

Roxanne (Pia Kamakahi)

A dancer who is later revealed to be Eric in disguise, living as his dead sister at the club. The revelation ties personal deception to the killer's motive and the broader mystery surrounding the club.

🎭 Deception 🗝️ Secret identity

Pocket (Mr. Pocket)

A club regular associated with the performers, noted for war injuries that left him missing a hand and genitals. His presence adds a stark realism to the crime landscape and positions him as a potential clue in the investigation.

🪖 War veteran 🕵️‍♀️ Suspect

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:23

Major Themes – Stripped to Kill (1987)

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

🕵️‍♀️ Undercover Investigation

Cody goes undercover as a stripper to gather clues about the killer, putting her safety at risk. The undercover work creates conflicts with police orders and blurs lines between personal and professional life. The atmosphere blends procedural investigation with the hazards of nightlife crime. Trust, risk, and moral compromises shape the pursuit of the truth.

🎭 Identity Illusion

Roxanne is revealed to be Eric in disguise, living as his dead sister at the club. The story uses performance and deception to complicate relationships and motives, questioning who can be trusted. The reveal forces characters to confront hidden identities and loyalties. Disguises drive the plot and shock the audience.

🔪 Motives & Violence

A string of brutal acts targets dancers and patrons, exposing personal motives like fear, love, and control. The violence is tightly connected to the characters’ relationships within the club world. The climax ties together pursuit, confrontation, and a dangerous chase that tests resilience and resolve. The crimes serve as a mirror to the characters’ darkest impulses.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:23

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Stripped to Kill Summary

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Stripped to Kill Summary

Stripped to Kill Timeline

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Stripped to Kill Timeline

More About Stripped to Kill

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Stripped to Kill (1987) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Stripped to Kill (1987) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Stripped to Kill (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow