Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Graphic
- gritty
- propulsive
- macho
- 1980s action marathon
- arnold schwarzenegger double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a poorly written, clichéd and confusing shoot-em-up, though some noted its entertaining absurdity and Schwarzenegger's self-deprecating charm.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mark Kaminski adopts the alias Joseph P. Brenner while infiltrating Luigi Patrovita's mob family.
Mark accepts an unofficial assignment after the mob murders Blair Shannon and seeks both revenge and reinstatement.
The film centers Arnold Schwarzenegger's physically dominant hero amid relentless shootouts, punch-outs, and flamboyant criminal violence.
The small-town sheriff and FBI infiltration premise is presented through broad characterization, implausible escalation, and action-movie excess.
Films like Raw Deal, and why
Cobra
shares an undercover law-enforcement protagonist, revenge-driven crime plot, 1980s action excess, and heavy gunplay
The Last Boy Scout
shares an action-star hero infiltrating organized crime, brutal vigilante justice, and muscular 1980s machismo
Above the Law
shares a disgraced or isolated lawman confronting a criminal organization through violent unofficial methods
Nico
shares a revenge-centered mafia thriller structure, undercover identity, and flamboyant body-count action
Movie Details
- Director
- John Irvin
- Release Date
- 1986-06-04
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (950)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Kathryn Harrold
- Sam Wanamaker
- Paul Shenar
- Robert Davi
- Ed Lauter
- Darren McGavin
- Joe Regalbuto
- Mordecai Lawner
- Steven Hill
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Raw Deal about?
- A disgraced FBI agent turned sheriff wages a one-man undercover war against the Chicago mob to reclaim his badge.
- What is Raw Deal like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Raw Deal as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Raw Deal violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Raw Deal as graphic.
- What did critics think of Raw Deal?
- Critics broadly found the film a poorly written, clichéd and confusing shoot-em-up, though some noted its entertaining absurdity and Schwarzenegger's self-deprecating charm.
- Which films are like Raw Deal?
- Films with a similar feel include Cobra, The Last Boy Scout, Above the Law, and Nico.
- How long is Raw Deal?
- Raw Deal runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Raw Deal?
- In United States, Raw Deal streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
