Vault (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place primarily in Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state known for its maritime history and coastal towns. The heist storyline later moves to Las Vegas, showcasing the stark contrast between the gritty Northeast setting and the opulent gambling capital.

• rhode island
• las vegas
• setting
• locations

The story is set in 1975, a year marked by significant social and economic upheaval in America. This historical backdrop emphasizes the risks of living outside the law and adds cultural weight to the tale of ambition and desperation.

• 1975
• time period
• historical context
• 1970s

The film explores three core themes: betrayal, as friendships dissolve under greed and ambition; crime, highlighting the allure and inevitable consequences of living a criminal lifestyle; and friendship, showing how ambitions can strain and destroy even the closest relationships.

• betrayal
• crime
• friendship
• themes
• meaning

Betrayal permeates the film as Deuce's distrust of Gerry escalates tension and ultimately catalyzes tragic outcomes. The pursuit of wealth leads characters to make choices that irrevocably damage their relationships, illustrating how greed destroys trust.

• betrayal
• greed
• trust
• relationships

The key characters include Deuce (Theo Rossi), a small-time criminal driven by ambition; his loyal friend Chucky (Clive Standen); Karynx (Samira Wiley), a fiery woman entangled in Deuce's schemes; Gerry (Don Johnson), an ambitious mob associate seeking to climb the ranks; and Raymond (Chazz Palminteri), a ruthless seasoned mob boss who serves as the antagonist.

• deuce
• chuck
• karyn
• gerry
• raymond
• characters
• cast

Raymond (played by Chazz Palminteri) is the film's primary antagonist, a seasoned mob boss with a vast criminal network and a ruthless approach to maintaining power. He operates with a strategic mind, demonstrating how deeply the criminal underworld influences individual fates.

• raymond
• mob boss
• antagonist
• villain

Deuce and Chucky share a deep bond as friends, but their relationship is tested as events unfold. What begins as camaraderie gradually turns to suspicion, revealing Chucky's darker survival instincts. The film explores how their friendship erodes under the pressures of their criminal choices.

• deuce
• chucky
• friendship
• relationship
• bond

The film dives deep into the criminal underworld, portraying both the allure of big scores and the inevitable repercussions of criminal actions. It creates a riveting narrative of crime and morality, with the struggle for power and survival within this world serving as a central focus.

• criminal underworld
• crime
• mob
• heist
• morality

Karyn (played by Samira Wiley) is a fiery and independent character who becomes entwined in Deuce's life and criminal schemes. Her initial resistance to their reckless behavior demonstrates her strength, and her involvement leads to significant consequences for Deuce, making her a pivotal figure in the narrative.

• karyn
• samira wiley
• character
• love interest

Gerry (played by Don Johnson) is an ambitious associate of the mob who seeks to climb the ranks through cunning plans. His character embodies manipulation, and his desire for power results in betrayal and conflict, shaping much of the film's tension and eventual fallout.

• gerry
• don johnson
• mob
• criminal
• manipulator

The year 1975 provides a backdrop of social and economic upheaval in America, which reinforces the themes of desperation and ambition. This tumultuous period emphasizes the risks of living outside the law, adding historical weight to the characters' choices and the consequences they face.

• 1975
• 1970s
• american history
• social context