Murphy’s Law (1986): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Murphy’s Law is a 1986 crime thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Charles Bronson as Jack Murphy, Richard Hochberg and David Hayman. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $9.9 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- The Cannon Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Murphy’s Law About?
The premise of Murphy’s Law without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A hard‑boiled police detective discovers he’s been framed for his ex‑wife’s murder. After a daring escape from custody, he teams up with a cunning thief, and together they race against time, evading relentless pursuers while hunting the true killer to clear his name.
Murphy’s Law Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- neo noir
- female serial killer
- juvenile delinquent
- glock
- cult film
- kneed in the groin
- buddy cop
- tough girl
- tough cop
- tough guy
- dark hero
- action hero
+38 more Show fewer
- hero
- murder of a black woman
- woman murders a man
- woman murders a woman
- shooting a woman
- dead woman on the floor
- murdered in a bathtub
- vietnam war veteran
- escape from police custody
- bradbury building
- russian roulette
- evil woman
- slim jim tool
- reference to dick tracy
- tunnel
- bus
- payphone
- funeral
- pay toilet stall
- escape from jail
- roof of building
- out of gas
- drinking alcohol first thing in the morning
- attempted rape
- marijuana farm
- private investigator
- motorcycle explosion
- newspaper
- drowned in a bathtub
- wig
- posing as a pizza deliveryman
- penthouse
- reference to goldilocks
- interrupted sex
- shooting a tv set
- gun held to head
- scrapbook
- reference to pubic hair
Murphy’s Law Cast & Characters
Charles Bronson leads the cast as Jack Murphy, with Richard Hochberg as Man with Glasses and David Hayman as Jack. Directed by J. Lee Thompson; 50 actors are credited in all.
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Director J. Lee Thompson
-
Charles Bronson as Jack Murphy - Richard Hochberg as Man with Glasses
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David Hayman as Jack - Angel Tompkins as Jan Murphy
Also Starring in Murphy’s Law
· 46 more- Carrie Snodgress Joan Freeman
- Kathleen Wilhoite Arabella McGee
- James Luisi Ed Reineke
- Richard Romanus Frank Vincenzo
- Janet Rotblatt Mrs. Vincenzo
- Chris DeRose Tony Vincenzo
- Don Brodie Old Man
- Lawrence Tierney Cameron
- Robert F. Lyons Art Penney
- Robert Axelrod Hotel Clerk
- Bert Williams Police Captain
- Greg Finley Booking Sergeant
- Bill Henderson Ben Wilcove
- Janet MacLachlan Dr. Lovell
- C. Courtney Joyner Bar Patron (uncredited)
- Dennis Hayden Sonny
Show all 50 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Clifford A. Pellow Lieutenant Nachman
- Jerome Thor Judge Kellerman
- Graham Timbes Detective
- Mischa Hausserman Dave Manzarek
- Michael Cooper LAX Policeman (uncredited)
- Leigh Lombardi Stewardess
- Randall Carver Mechanic
- Hans Howes Santana
- Gerald Berns Young Cop
- Jerry Lazarus Lawyer
- Frank Annese Kelly
- Tony Montero Max
- Cal Haynes Reese
- Charlie Brewer Security Guard
- John Hawker Hotel Guest
- Brooks Wachtel Maitre D'
- David K. Johnston Guard #1
- Paul McCauley Bailiff
- Daniel D. Halleck Lead Cop
- Wheeler Henderson Woman in Bathroom
- Joseph Roman Carl
- John F. McCarthy Patrol Cop
- Charles A. Nero Liquor Clerk
- Frank Bove Guard #2
- Christopher Stanley Ambulance Attendant
- Linda Harwood Waitress
- Nancie Clark Restaurant Patron
- Lisa Vice Blonde
- Paul McCallum Hog
- Shawn McBurney Waiter (uncredited)
More from J. Lee Thompson
More films directed by J. Lee Thompson, best-rated first: Cape Fear, The Guns of Navarone, Death Wish 4: The Crackdown and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.
Murphy’s Law Plot Summary
What happens in Murphy’s Law from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a city shrouded in smoke and cynicism, Jack Murphy is a hard-edged, antisocial LAPD detective whose coping mechanism is alcohol. He struggles with the painful truth that his ex-wife, Jan Murphy, Angel Tompkins has become a stripper, and his once-steady career is slipping away. Murphy’s world tilts when he is framed by the ex-convict Joan Freeman, Carrie Snodgress for a crime she forced him to carry out earlier in his career.
Freeman murders Murphy’s ex-wife and her boyfriend, then begins a ruthless campaign to wipe out his associates while pinning the crimes on Murphy. The same police force Murphy serves appears to turn against him, and he is arrested alongside Arabella McGee, Kathleen Wilhoite, a foul-mouthed petty thief he once locked away.
Full summary
The whole story of Murphy’s Law, scene by scene
Murphy’s Law Box Office
Murphy’s Law grossed $9.9 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$9.9M
- US & Canada
- $9.9M
How Well Do You Know Murphy’s Law?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the occupation of Jack Murphy?
Cars in Murphy’s Law
40 cars on screen, including the 1985 GMC K-1500 and the 1978 Cadillac Seville.
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1985 GMC K-1500 Main role -
1978 Cadillac Seville Important role -
1986 Oldsmobile Firenza Important role -
1978 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Minor role
Murphy’s Law Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “O Vingador - Charles” and “Murphys Gesetz”.
- Also known as
-
- O Vingador - Charles
- Murphys Gesetz
- La legge di Murphy
- La ley de Murphy
- Murphy törvénye
- La Loi de Murphy
- Ο Νόμος του Μέρφι
- Закон Мерфи
- Jack Murphyn laki
- Prawo Murphy'ego
- O Vingador
- Законът на Мърфи
+8 more Show fewer
- 暴力先锋
- 형사 머피
- Merfio dėsnis
- Murphyho zákon
- แค้นกระหน่ำแค้น
- Murphyjev zakon
- Закон Мерфі
- חוק מרפי
Seen Murphy’s Law?
Movies Like Murphy’s Law
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Shield for Murder, Murder at Hollow Creek and Accused of Murder.
Murphy’s Law FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Murphy’s Law, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Murphy’s Law?
Murphy’s Law runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Murphy’s Law released?
Murphy’s Law was released on April 18, 1986.
Who directed Murphy’s Law?
Murphy’s Law was directed by J. Lee Thompson.
More films by J. Lee Thompson Who is in the cast of Murphy’s Law?
Murphy’s Law stars Charles Bronson as Jack Murphy, Richard Hochberg as Man with Glasses and David Hayman as Jack, among 50 credited actors.
How much did Murphy’s Law make at the box office?
Murphy’s Law grossed $9.9 million worldwide.
Does Murphy’s Law have a post-credit scene?
No. Murphy’s Law has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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