Vice Squad

Vice Squad

Year: 1982

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: Gary Sherman

ActionCrimeHorrorThrillerDrama

On the street, the real trick is staying alive. An unlikely Hollywood hooker helps a detective set a trap for a mutilator pimp.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Vice Squad (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Vice Squad (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, San Diego

The film unfolds across a gritty Los Angeles landscape anchored by Sunset Boulevard, with scenes spanning sleazy motels, nightclubs, a hospital, and police precincts. It also moves toward a visit to San Diego, hinting at family ties beyond the city’s vice-ridden streets. Beverly Hills provides a stark contrast to the underbelly, creating high-stakes encounters that test the characters' resolve.

🌆 Urban LA 🎭 Seedy nightlife 🔒 Law & Order

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

Main Characters – Vice Squad (1982)

Meet the key characters of Vice Squad (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Princess (Season Hubley)

A down-on-her-luck Los Angeles businesswoman turned prostitute, Princess supports her young daughter while navigating a dangerous network of pimps and clients. Her street-smarts and maternal concern drive her to cooperate with the vice squad when Ginger’s death prompts action, though she remains wary of Ramrod.

👠 Prostitute 🕵️‍♀️ Survivor 💬 Informant

Ramrod (Wings Hauser)

A misogynistic, violent pimp who ruthlessly terrorizes women. He is volatile, cunning, and capable of extreme cruelty, making him a dangerous target for the squad and a relentless antagonist for Princess.

🔪 Villain 👹 Brutality 💼 Pimp

Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson)

An undercover LAPD vice squad sergeant with unwavering resolve to avenge Ginger’s death. He pushes Princess toward a risky collaboration, balancing determination with the ethical complexities of undercover work.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Mentor ⚖️ Justice-seeker

Ginger Grady

Princess’s coworker who hides from her pimp. Her brutal death serves as the catalyst for the mission, revealing the perilous cost of the city’s vice economy and motivating the investigation.

💔 Victim 😡 Catalyst 🗝️ Tragic figure

Coco (Lydia Lei)

Princess’s friend who becomes entangled in the city’s underground sex trade. Coco endures torture by Ramrod to reveal Princess’s location, underscoring the danger faced by those connected to the vice network.

🤐 Informant 🗝️ Victim 🧩 Catalyst

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

Major Themes – Vice Squad (1982)

Explore the central themes of Vice Squad (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Street Justice

The narrative centers on undercover police work and the pursuit of a brutal pimp, highlighting the costs and moral compromises involved in delivering justice on the city’s margins.

💔 Women in Peril

Princess and Ginger Grady navigate a world of exploitation, abuse, and manipulation, and their experiences drive the investigation while underscoring the personal toll of violence.

🏙️ Urban Decay

The city itself is a backdrop and driver of the story, exposing systemic violence, vice economies, and the fragility of institutions meant to protect the vulnerable.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:58

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Vice Squad Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Vice Squad, 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.

Vice Squad Summary

Vice Squad Timeline

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

Vice Squad Timeline

More About Vice Squad

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Vice Squad (1982) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Vice Squad (1982) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Vice Squad (1982) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow