Watch Vice Squad
- R
- 1982
- 1 hr 37 min
-
6.4 (2,937)
Vice Squad is a 1982 movie that depicts the gritty and dark underbelly of Los Angeles's seedy streets, where prostitution, drugs, and violence are rampant. The movie follows Princess (Season Hubley), a seasoned streetwalker, who has idolized her pimp, Phil (Wings Hauser), despite his abusive and controlling nature. However, when Phil becomes a target of a determined police detective, Tom Walsh (Gary Swanson), Princess is sucked into the middle of the investigation.
The movie opens with Princess and her fellow prostitutes hustling in a seedy hotel, only to be raided by the police. Amidst the chaos, Princess is questioned by Detective Walsh, who is determined to take down Phil, the notorious pimp who is responsible for the murders of several young girls. However, Princess is unwilling to cooperate, suspecting that Phil will take his anger out on her if he suspects she snitched.
As Detective Walsh continues his investigation, he discovers that Phil has expanded his illegal activities into drug trafficking. He decides to put Princess under protective custody and tries to convince her to testify against Phil. However, Phil's vast network of connections in the criminal underworld makes it difficult for Detective Walsh to stop him.
Princess, who is increasingly terrified for her life, decides to take matters into her hands and plans to confront Phil one last time. In a violent and heart-pumping finale, Princess and Phil face off in a brutal confrontation that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.
The movie explores the themes of corruption, abuse of power, and the dark side of human nature. The characters are deeply flawed and represent the worst aspects of society. Princess, despite her desperate circumstances, still shows compassion towards her fellow prostitutes, while Phil is a violent and ruthless pimp who has no regard for human life. Detective Walsh is a sympathetic character who balances his determination to bring Phil to justice with his empathy towards Princess, whom he sees as a victim.
What makes Vice Squad stand out is its realistic portrayal of the world of prostitution and the criminal underworld. The movie does not shy away from depicting the violence and danger that comes with being a prostitute or the ruthlessness of the pimps who control them. The use of real-life locations in Los Angeles adds to the movie's authenticity and grimness.
The movie's soundtrack, which features punk and new wave bands such as The Nerves, Black Flag, and Fear, perfectly captures the gritty and violent atmosphere of the film. The camera work is raw and unpolished, which adds to the movie's overall edginess.
Overall, Vice Squad is a compelling and intense movie that keeps the viewers hooked from start to finish. The performances by the lead actors are excellent, and the movie's realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld and the characters that inhabit it makes it a must-see for fans of crime dramas.
Vice Squad is a 1982 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.