What Is The Chase About?
The premise of The Chase in 290 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the crisp winter of 1988, Denver becomes a stage where the ordinary and the chaotic collide under a sky that seems to watch everything unfold. At the heart of the tension is Hutchinson, an enigmatic drifter who has adopted a new name and a low‑key life as a mechanic, yet a restless need drives him to keep moving far beyond the reach of ordinary desires. His brief, uneasy connection with Roxanne hints at a personal world tangled with secrets, suggesting that the only thing that can truly steady his pulse is the relentless pursuit itself.
On the opposite side of the city, the police department hums with a mix of seasoned resolve and looming change. Wallis, a veteran detective on the cusp of retirement, balances the weight of impending fatherhood with a deep‑seated dedication to the badge, while his partner Hammer brings a sharp, outsider’s perspective from his Texan roots. Above the streets, Mike Silva circles in his news helicopter, his camera lens turning the chase into a live‑broadcast tableau that blurs the lines between reportage and participation, adding a frantic, voyeuristic layer to every turn.
Around the periphery of this high‑stakes cat-and-mouse game, everyday lives are quietly reshaped. Tammie, a bank teller wrestling with self‑doubt, finds herself drawn into the unfolding drama, while Gloria Whipple juggles financial strain and personal challenges that make the city’s pulse feel even more urgent. Laurienti, an unsuspecting driver, becomes another thread in the tapestry of motion that the city cannot ignore. As the chase escalates, the combined forces of law, media, and ordinary citizens create a tense, almost cinematic atmosphere—one where every honk, every radio call, and every flash of the helicopter’s lights hints at a climax the audience can only imagine.
What Happens in The Chase?
The complete story of The Chase, from the first scene to the last, in 575 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In January 1988, in Denver, Colorado, KCNC-TV helicopter pilot Mike Silva flies over the city to allow cameraman Jim Stair to capture aerial shots of the area. Meanwhile, escaped convict Hutchinson, using the alias Mark Taylor, has fled from Texas to settle in Denver, where he works as a car mechanic. While in town, Hutchinson carries out a string of crimes, including an armed robbery of a local store and the mugging of a courier delivering money, whom he beats with a crowbar. A witness spots Hutchinson fleeing in a red Chevrolet K5 Blazer and reports it to the Denver Police, but Hutchinson has his coworker repaint the vehicle brown. Through this coworker, Hutchinson meets a woman named Roxanne and begins a relationship, though he keeps his criminal life hidden. However, after he discovers she has been going through his belongings, he chases her out of his apartment.
Denver PD Detective Wallis and Texan Detective Hammer investigate Hutchinson’s activities. Wallis’ son Dale is also a police officer, and his wife is expecting a baby. Wallis plans to retire soon to spend more time with his family and the upcoming grandchild. Meanwhile, a teenage girl, Tammie, works as a bank teller at the Rio Grande Operating Credit Union office, and she confides to a coworker that she is insecure about her appearance and lacks self-confidence. Elsewhere, another girl, Gloria Whipple, struggles to pay her bills and get to work, a struggle compounded by her drug-addicted boyfriend Julian; unbeknownst to Julian, Whipple is pregnant.
A month later, on February 9, 1988, Wallis is now a grandfather and plans to retire, Tammie still works at the Union office, and Whipple reconnects with her estranged father. On this date, Hutchinson decides to rob the Union office, planning to flee for Brazil. Holding up the bank with a handgun, he demands Tammie transfer the money into his suitcase. Tammie activates a silent alarm to alert the police, but Hutchinson flees in his Blazer before they can arrive. Wallis and Hammer respond, as do Mike Silva and Jim Stair, who decide to fly overhead to track the pursuit.
Police intercept Hutchinson and attempt to cut him off, but fail. Wallis’ seatbelt fails to release, and by the time he manages to get out, Hutchinson strikes him with the Blazer, killing him instantly. The pursuing officers lose sight of Hutchinson, but Silva and Stair remain overhead. Hutchinson crashes the Blazer and flees on foot, encountering Whipple and her drug-addicted boyfriend Julian and attempting to carjack them. Julian runs off while Whipple drives away, missing gunfire from Hutchinson. Continuing on, Hutchinson encounters Laurienti and forces him to drive him away in his green Chevrolet C/K. Mike Silva, realizing the police do not know what vehicle Hutchinson is in, flies the helicopter directly in front of the truck and brings it to a stop. Police are then alerted to Hutchinson’s whereabouts and surround the truck. Laurienti is pulled from the vehicle unharmed, and Hutchinson is shot dead by police after attempting to shoot Laurienti and the officers.
In the aftermath, Whipple ends her relationship with Julian and is in a much stronger relationship with her father, who supports her during her pregnancy. Wallis’ son Dale gives a speech at his father’s funeral and breaks down over the sudden death of his father. Tammie, now self-confident, plans to head off to college. Laurienti survives and is given a new white truck on behalf of KCNC-TV.
The Chase Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “News helicopter over Denver for aerial shots” to “Laurienti rewarded with a white truck”. 15 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
News helicopter over Denver for aerial shots
KCNC-TV helicopter pilot Mike Silva and cameraman Jim Stair fly over Denver to capture aerial footage for a news segment. The flight introduces the looming tension as a fugitive operates in the city from the ground.
When:January 1988 Where:Denver
- 2
Hutchinson arrives in Denver and begins a crime spree
Escaped convict Phillip Hutchinson, using the alias Mark Taylor, moves to Denver and begins a crime spree, including an armed robbery and a mugging of a courier delivering money. A witness spots his red Chevrolet K5 Blazer and reports it, but Hutchinson has his coworker Tom repaint the vehicle brown to avoid identification.
When:January 1988 Where:Denver
- 3
Hutchinson meets Roxanne and starts a relationship
Hutchinson meets Roxanne through a coworker and begins a romantic relationship while hiding his criminal life. When Roxanne discovers clues to his secret life, he chases her out of his apartment, exposing the fragility of his double life.
When:January 1988 Where:Denver
- 4
Detectives investigate Hutchinson; Wallis plans retirement
Denver PD Detective Bob Wallis and Texan Detective Hammer begin tracing Hutchinson's activities. Wallis, whose wife is pregnant and whose son Dale is a police officer, starts contemplating retirement to spend more time with family and his upcoming grandchild.
When:January 1988 Where:Denver
- 5
Hutchinson robs the Union office; plans to flee to Brazil
A month later, Hutchinson robs the Rio Grande Operating Credit Union, planning to flee to Brazil. He orders Tammie to transfer the money into his suitcase, but she activates a silent alarm and he escapes before police can intervene.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver
- 6
Pursuit begins as officers respond
Wallis and Hammer respond to the Union office, while Silva and Stair follow overhead to film the pursuit. The joint police-media effort tightens the net around Hutchinson as the chase unfolds.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver
- 7
Wallis dies during the chase
As Hutchinson drives toward the pursuing officers, Wallis's seatbelt jams and he cannot exit the cruiser in time. Hutchinson strikes him with the Blazer, killing him instantly.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver
- 8
Hutchinson crashes and continues on foot
Hutchinson crashes the Blazer and flees on foot, attempting to carjack bystanders. Julian escapes, while Gloria Whipple drives away, narrowly avoiding gunfire.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver area
- 9
Hutchinson forces Laurienti to drive away
Hutchinson encounters John Laurienti and his disabled daughter and forces Laurienti to drive him away in his green Chevrolet C/K. Laurienti survives the encounter and remains unharmed.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver area
- 10
Silva stops the vehicle by landing in front
Silva, realizing the police do not know which vehicle Hutchinson is in, flies the helicopter and lands in front of Laurienti's truck, forcing it to stop and enabling police to close in.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver
Show the other 5 events of The Chase Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Hutchinson is killed by police
Laurienti is pulled from the vehicle unharmed, and Hutchinson is shot dead by police after attempting to shoot Laurienti and the officers.
When:February 9, 1988 Where:Denver
- 12
Whipple ends relationship and leans on family
In the aftermath, Gloria Whipple ends her relationship with Julian and begins rebuilding her bond with her father, who supports her during the pregnancy. The shift signals a move toward stability after the ordeal.
When:February 1988 Where:Denver
- 13
Wallis's funeral and Dale's tribute
Wallis's funeral is held as his son Dale delivers a heartfelt speech, illustrating the personal cost of his father's death and the impact on their family.
When:February 1988 Where:Denver
- 14
Tammie gains confidence and plans college
Tammie becomes self-confident and decides to head off to college, marking a hopeful new chapter after the traumatic events.
When:February 1988 Where:Denver
- 15
Laurienti rewarded with a white truck
Laurienti survives the ordeal and KCNC-TV honors him with a new white truck as a gesture of gratitude for his involvement.
When:February 1988 Where:Denver
Who Are the Main Characters in The Chase?
10 characters, among them Laurienti (Ben Johnson), Tammie (Ricki Lake) and Roxanne (Sheila Kelley): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Laurienti (Ben Johnson)
Played by Ben Johnson
Laurienti is an ordinary Denver resident who becomes an unwilling getaway driver when Hutchinson forces him at gunpoint. He remains protective of his disabled daughter, displaying calm under pressure despite the danger. His survival and the aftermath tie into the community impact of the crime.
- 🚗 Ordinary
- 💪 Resilient
- 👨👧 Family man
-
Tammie (Ricki Lake)
Played by Ricki Lake
Tammie is a bank teller who struggles with self-doubt and appearance. She plays a pivotal role by activating a silent alarm during the Union office robbery, sparking the police response. By the end, she grows in self-confidence and looks toward a future in college.
- 🏦 Bank teller
- 💪 Empowered
- 👩🎓 Ambitious
- R(
Roxanne (Sheila Kelley)
Played by Sheila Kelley
Roxanne becomes involved with Hutchinson but only gradually uncovers the truth about his criminal life. Her discovery strains their relationship and introduces tension as Hutchinson’s plans unfold. She embodies the personal risks of being connected to a fugitive.
- 💑 Romantic interest
- 🕵️♀️ Troubled awareness
- 👀 Warning
-
Peter (Gerry Bamman)
Played by Gerry Bamman
Peter is Hutchinson’s coworker at the car shop who helps facilitate the escape by repainting the getaway vehicle. He serves as a practical ally in the criminal's scheme, though his involvement remains largely in the background. His actions illustrate how ordinary people become entangled in crime.
- 🧰 Mechanic
- 🧭 Accomplice by circumstance
- 🧩 Supporting
-
Hutchinson (Casey Siemaszko)
Played by Casey Siemaszko
Hutchinson is an escaped convict from Texas who uses a sequence of robberies to flee to Brazil. He is calculating and dangerous, capable of violence to achieve his ends. His pursuit ends in a fatal confrontation with the police.
- 🧭 Escaped criminal
- 🗡️ Violent
- 🏃 Persistent
-
Hammer (Gailard Sartain)
Played by Gailard Sartain
Hammer is a Texan detective who, alongside Wallis, pursues Hutchinson across Denver. She is practical and steadfast, contributing to the methodical enforcement of the law. Her partnership with Wallis demonstrates a professional, no-nonsense approach to pursuit.
- 🔎 Detective
- 💼 Professional
- 🧭 Collaborative
- T(
Tom (Jimmie F. Skaggs)
Played by Jimmie F. Skaggs
Tom is Hutchinson’s coworker who helps alter the vehicle’s appearance, enabling the robber’s getaway. He represents the everyday worker who becomes entangled in crime through proximity and complicity. His role underscores how small choices can influence dangerous outcomes.
- 🛠️ Mechanic
- 🕵️♂️ Accomplice by proximity
- 🧩 Supporting
- MS
Mike Silva (Robert Beltran)
Played by Robert Beltran
Mike Silva is the KCNC-TV helicopter pilot who provides aerial footage of the chase. His cockpit perspective shapes the audience’s sense of scale and urgency, linking media coverage with the pursuit. He becomes a key figure in how the city experiences the crime as it unfolds.
- 🚁 Pilot
- 🗺️ Aerial observer
- 📰 Media ally
-
Bob Wallis (Barry Corbin)
Played by Barry Corbin
Bob Wallis is a Denver PD detective with a family-oriented side—his son is a fellow officer, and his wife is expecting a child. He plans retirement to spend more time with loved ones, but the pursuit pulls him back into danger. His death during the confrontation becomes a pivotal moment for the story and for his family.
- 🕵️ Detective
- 👨👩👦 Family man
- 💔 Fatal turn
- GW
Gloria Whipple (Meagan Follows)
Played by Megan Follows
Gloria Whipple struggles with bills and a drug-addicted boyfriend while pregnant. Her struggles highlight the vulnerabilities of everyday people caught in larger forces of crime and chaos. By the end, she reconnects with her father, finding support and resilience during a difficult period.
- 🧑🍼 Pregnant
- 💸 Financial stress
- 🧡 Reconciliation
Where and When Is The Chase Set?
The Chase is set in Denver and Colorado (January-February 1988). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
January-February 1988
Set in early 1988 Denver, the film captures the cold winter months and a high-stakes pursuit that spans several days. The era’s cars, fashion, and media environment ground the narrative in late-80s America. The timeline tracks the robberies, investigations, and eventual confrontation with police.
Where
Denver, Colorado
The story unfolds across the winter streets of Denver, weaving through downtown areas and residential neighborhoods. A KCNC-TV helicopter crew provides aerial footage that intensifies the chase and brings the city into the pursuit. The urban landscape acts as both backdrop and catalyst, heightening tension as law enforcement closes in on the fugitives.
- 🏙️ Urban cityscape
- 🚓 Crime & police pursuit
- 🚁 Aerial filming
What Are the Themes of The Chase?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Pursuit, Family and Empowerment.
-
01
Pursuit
The central arc is a relentless pursuit that tests every character involved. Tension builds as police, media, and bystanders become part of the chase. The aircraft and ground units coordinate in a tense manhunt, highlighting the cat-and-mouse dynamic between criminal and law enforcement. The pursuit raises questions about risk, duty, and the cost of capture.
-
02
Family
The film foregrounds family dynamics, from Wallis’s desire to retire to spend time with his wife and unborn grandchild, to the bond between Laurienti and his disabled daughter. Filial duty and protective instincts intersect with the violence of the pursuit. The narrative contrasts professional duty with personal ties, underscoring what people stand to lose in the chase.
-
03
Empowerment
Characters confront insecurity and adversity, notably Tammie gaining sufficient self-confidence to envision college and a brighter future. Gloria Whipple strives to improve her life amid financial and relational strain, ultimately finding support. The arc of personal resilience runs parallel to the violence of the crime, offering moments of growth amid chaos.
-
04
Media & Surveillance
The film emphasizes the role of media and surveillance in shaping public perception of crime. A helicopter crew broadcasts the pursuit, turning the city into a stage for the confrontation. The constant visibility of the chase raises questions about sensationalism, responsibility, and the line between news coverage and real danger.
What Kind of Film Is The Chase?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and fast-paced crime thriller that follows a desperate fugitive and the police chase documented by news helicopters, creating a gripping and anxious atmosphere punctuated by grim violence and moments of personal tragedy.
- tense
- anxious
- gripping
- grim
- desperate
- somber
- crime spree
- police pursuit
- hostage situation
- media coverage
Content notes: police officer killed, physical violence, hostage situation, car crash, gun violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Chase? Test yourself on the story.
