To Live and Die in L.A.

To Live and Die in L.A.

Year: 1985

Runtime: 116 min

Language: English

Director: William Friedkin

ActionDramaThrillerCrime

U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance is driven by vengeance after his partner is murdered in Los Angeles. He relentlessly pursues Eric Masters, a skilled counterfeiter, but his increasingly reckless actions blur the lines of justice. As the investigation intensifies and casualties mount, Chance’s obsession puts his career and personal life in jeopardy, leading him down a dangerous path.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen To Live and Die in L.A. yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Explore the full timeline and setting of To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film takes place during the mid-1980s, a period marked by political tension in the United States and a rise in financial crimes such as counterfeiting. The backdrop of the era provides a lens through which to explore themes of loyalty, corruption, and moral ambiguity.

Location

Los Angeles, Desert Warehouse, Union Station

Los Angeles serves as the primary backdrop for the film, known for its vibrant culture and sprawling urban landscape. The desert warehouse represents the desolate, shadowy side of crime, acting as a pivotal location for illicit activities. Union Station serves as a bustling transportation hub, where chaos erupts during a critical moment in the story.

🏙️ City 🏜️ Desert 🚉 Transportation

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

Main Characters – To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Meet the key characters of To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Richard Chance

A Secret Service agent characterized by his reckless and impulsive nature, Richard Chance embodies the struggle between duty and personal vendetta. His corruption and moral decline reflect his desperation for justice after the loss of his partner.

👮‍♂️ Law Enforcement 🔥 Reckless 💔 Loss

Jimmy Hart

As Chance's partner and a dedicated Secret Service agent, Jimmy Hart represents the conscience of their team. His tragic end ignites Chance's quest for revenge, highlighting the cost of their dangerous profession.

👮‍♂️ Loyal 🎯 Targeted 📉 Tragic

John Vukovich

John Vukovich is a more cautious agent who struggles with the moral implications of Chance's aggressive methods. His loyalty to Chance ultimately leads him into a morally gray area, where he faces the consequences of their actions.

🔄 Conflict ⚖️ Morality 🤝 Loyalty

Eric 'Rick' Masters

The main antagonist, Rick Masters represents the seductive underbelly of crime through his counterfeiting operations. Charismatic yet dangerous, he manipulates those around him, showcasing the perilous world of organized crime.

💵 Crime 🎭 Manipulative 🚪 Charismatic

Ruth

Ruth operates as both an informant and a lure for Chance, using her relationship with him to navigate the criminal world. Her character illustrates the complexities and dangers of entwined personal and professional lives.

💔 Manipulative 🕵️‍♀️ Informant ⚠️ Risky

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

Major Themes – To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Explore the central themes of To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔍 Justice vs. Revenge

The film delves into the fine line between seeking justice and the thirst for revenge. Chance's determination to apprehend Masters becomes a personal vendetta that challenges his ethics, while Vukovich struggles with loyalty and morality amidst criminal activity.

💰 Corruption

Corruption is a central theme highlighted through the actions of the characters, particularly Chance, who bends the rules for personal gain. The interplay between law enforcement and criminal elements reveals a world where ethical boundaries are blurred.

🧩 Betrayal

Betrayal runs rampant as characters exploit relationships for their own gain. The revelation of Grimes' collaboration with Masters emphasizes the treacherous nature of their world, where trust is a rarity and alliances can quickly dissolve.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Obsession and moral corruption thrillers like To Live and Die in L.A.

Stories where a protagonist's quest for justice destroys their own morality.If you liked the dark spiral of obsession in To Live and Die in L.A., explore more movies where protagonists are consumed by their mission. These films feature intense thrillers and crime dramas with morally ambiguous characters, bleak endings, and heavy emotional weight, perfect for fans of gritty, character-driven tension.

obsessivetensecynicaldesperategrittycorruptrelentless

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who starts with a clear, often righteous, objective. However, their single-minded focus and willingness to bend or break the rules lead to a gradual moral decay. The story typically escalates in tension and stakes, culminating in a conclusion where the protagonist achieves their goal at a great personal cost or fails, having lost their moral compass in the process.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a central theme of a character's self-destructive obsession. They are united by a dark tone, high intensity, and a pacing that accelerates as the protagonist's actions become more reckless. The emotional journey is heavy, focusing on the psychological cost of corruption and the bleak reality that vengeance often consumes the avenger.

Gritty 80s crime thrillers with the vibe of To Live and Die in L.A.

High-intensity urban crime stories with a palpable sense of dread.For viewers who enjoyed the fast pace and gritty atmosphere of To Live and Die in L.A., this section features similar high-intensity crime films from the 1980s. Discover movies with dark tones, tense action, morally complex characters, and a raw, unpolished aesthetic that defines this compelling subgenre.

grittytenseparanoidcynicalrelentlessanxiousurban decay

Narrative Summary

These narratives are typically linear but propelled by a series of high-stakes confrontations, chases, and investigations. The plot moves quickly from one tense set-piece to the next, with little downtime for reflection. The world is often portrayed as corrupt and unforgiving, where characters operate in shades of gray and survival depends on ruthless pragmatism.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared aesthetic and narrative drive. They possess a distinct 80s sensibility, combining a fast pace with high intensity and a dark, cynical tone. The mood is consistently tense, gritty, and anxious, capturing a specific feeling of urban decay and moral ambiguity that was prevalent in the genre during that decade.

Unlock the Full Story of To Live and Die in L.A.

Don't stop at just watching — explore To Live and Die in L.A. 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 To Live and Die in L.A. is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

To Live and Die in L.A. Summary

Read a complete plot summary of To Live and Die in L.A., 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.

To Live and Die in L.A. Summary

To Live and Die in L.A. Timeline

Track the full timeline of To Live and Die in L.A. with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

To Live and Die in L.A. Timeline

To Live and Die in L.A. Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of To Live and Die in L.A. that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

To Live and Die in L.A. Spoiler-Free Summary

More About To Live and Die in L.A.

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

More About To Live and Die in L.A.

Similar Movies to To Live and Die in L.A.

Discover movies like To Live and Die in L.A. 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.