Jack Murphy (played by Charles Bronson) is a protagonist in Murphy's Law.
LAPD detective, hardened and antisocial alcoholic who is framed for murder by Joan Freeman. He escapes jail handcuffed to petty thief Arabella McGee to hunt the real killer. He ultimately saves Arabella, kills mob boss Vincenzo, and lets Joan Freeman fall to her death. Arabella McGee (played by Kathleen Wilhoite) appears in Murphy's Law.
Foul-mouthed petty thief previously incarcerated by Murphy. Handcuffed to him during his jail escape, she is later kidnapped by Joan Freeman and held in an elevator shaft. Murphy rescues her, though she is shot in the back but survives and is hospitalized alongside Murphy. Joan Freeman (played by Carrie Snodgress) appears in Murphy's Law.
Ex-convict seeking revenge on Murphy for her past imprisonment. She frames him for murder, kills his ex-wife and associates, and kidnaps Arabella McGee. She engages Murphy in a final confrontation on a staircase, attacks him with an axe, and ultimately falls to her death. Ed Reineke (played by James Luisi) appears in Murphy's Law.
LAPD detective assigned to respond to Murphy's call for backup. He is secretly a mole working for Vincenzo. He confronts Murphy at gunpoint but is quickly killed by Joan Freeman with an arrow.
Murphy's Law (1986) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jack Murphy
(played by Charles Bronson) — protagonist
LAPD detective, hardened and antisocial alcoholic who is framed for murder by Joan Freeman. He escapes jail handcuffed to petty thief Arabella McGee to hunt the real killer. He ultimately saves Arabel...
Arabella McGee
(played by Kathleen Wilhoite) — supporting
Foul-mouthed petty thief previously incarcerated by Murphy. Handcuffed to him during his jail escape, she is later kidnapped by Joan Freeman and held in an elevator shaft. Murphy rescues her, though s...
Joan Freeman
(played by Carrie Snodgress) — supporting
Ex-convict seeking revenge on Murphy for her past imprisonment. She frames him for murder, kills his ex-wife and associates, and kidnaps Arabella McGee. She engages Murphy in a final confrontation on...
Ed Reineke
(played by James Luisi) — supporting
LAPD detective assigned to respond to Murphy's call for backup. He is secretly a mole working for Vincenzo. He confronts Murphy at gunpoint but is quickly killed by Joan Freeman with an arrow.
Key Relationships
Joan Freeman → Arabella McGee
(Conflict Captor)
Jack Murphy → Ed Reineke
(Conflict Mole)
Jack Murphy → Arabella McGee
(Alliance Unwilling Partner)
Jack Murphy → Joan Freeman
(Conflict Arch Enemy)
Story Analysis
A disgraced detective teams up with a petty thief to hunt a vengeful ex-convict while navigating betrayal and mob violence.
Plot Progression
The Framed Detective
Cuffed and On the Run
Betrayal and Ambush
Elevator Shaft Showdown
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Murphy's Law (1986) · 6.1/10 · action, crime, thriller
