Who’s the Man?

Who’s the Man?

Year: 1993

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Ted Demme

ActionDramaComedy

In this hip‑hop‑flavored whodunit, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre play hapless barbers who quit the shop for a stint as police officers. Their overly strict sergeant, Sgt. Cooper, constantly badgers them, but the duo stumble onto a major criminal scheme and manage to crack the case using their unconventional, comedic methods.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Who’s the Man? (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Who’s the Man? (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Harlem, New York City

Set in Harlem, New York City, the film revolves around a bustling barbershop that acts as a community hub. The neighborhood vibe blends streetwise energy with music and daily hustle. The barbershop's proximity to street life anchors the action and the characters' dual roles as civilians and enforcers.

🗽 Harlem 🎶 Barbershop culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Main Characters – Who’s the Man? (1993)

Meet the key characters of Who’s the Man? (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ed Lover

Ed Lover is one of the two barber protagonists who shifts from grooming clients to pursuing justice after Nick's murder. He is quick-witted, loyal to his partner, and eager to help, often relying on street smarts to navigate danger.

🧔 Barber 🕵️ Detective-in-training

Doctor Dré

A barber who joins the police alongside Ed Lover, he brings street-smarts and humor to the investigation. He grows from skepticism to a proactive sense of duty as the case unfolds.

🧔 Barber 🗯️ Justice-seeker

Nick Crawford (Jim Moody)

Nick is the barbershop’s mentor and owner who inspires Ed and Dre to join the police. His murder becomes the catalyst for the investigation and the film's central drive for truth.

💼 Mentor 🕊️ Tragic figure

Demetrius

A crooked land developer whose oil-focused company looms over the city, Demetrius is tied to the murder investigation through his ruthless pursuit of profit and power.

🏢 Developer 💰 Oil money

Lionel

Nick's associate who murders him for refusing to sell the barbershop, illustrating the brutal consequences of corruption and the clash between loyalty and greed.

🎭 Antagonist 💣 Violence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Major Themes – Who’s the Man? (1993)

Explore the central themes of Who’s the Man? (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Investigation

Two barbers turned temporary detectives navigate the city's streets and informal networks to uncover who killed Nick and why, blending humor with gritty urban research.

💼 Power & Oil

The plot centers on a crooked developer whose oil-focused company looms over the city, exposing how money and greed drive violence and corruption in an urban setting.

🤝 Loyalty & Change

Ed and Dre's journey tests friendship, loyalty, and their own comfort with violence as they decide whether to stay on the force or return to their barbershop roots.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

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Who’s the Man? Summary

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Who’s the Man? Summary

Who’s the Man? Timeline

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Who’s the Man? Timeline

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