Raw Deal

Mark Kaminski, a hard edged FBI agent, is forced out after a tense confrontation with a suspect. He ends up patrolling as the sheriff of a quiet North Carolina town, trying to rebuild his life away from the bureau. When FBI chief Harry Shannon learns his own son was killed by mobster Patrovita, he offers Kaminski a chance to rejoin the bureau if he can take Patrovita down. The mission comes with a personal price and a clash of loyalties. Kaminski agrees, knowing the plan will require him to operate undercover inside Patrovita’s gang. To blend in, he adopts a new identity and infiltrates the organization from within. The undercover assignment forces him to balance deception with his own sense of justice.

Directed by John Irvin, Raw Deal released in 1986 as a lean action crime thriller. The screenplay is credited to Norman Wexler, Gary DeVore and Sergio Donati, presenting an original story rather than a direct adaptation. Schwarzenegger leads a compact supporting cast, and his tough but sardonic presence anchors the film alongside practical stunt work.

With a budget of 8.5 million, the film grossed roughly 16.2 million worldwide, marking it as a modest earner. It served as a dependable notch in Schwarzenegger's mid 80s action run. It performed respectably for a mid budget crime thriller of its era.

Reception was largely that of a straightforward late 80s action thriller. The film foregrounds themes of vengeance and loyalty, with undercover work testing Kaminski on every front. Schwarzenegger delivers a sturdy center, while Robert Davi supplies menace and Kathryn Harrold provides a steady counterpoint. The pacing keeps actions tight, though some critics find the plot predictable.

Raw Deal did not leave a lasting cultural footprint. There are no famous quotes or iconic scenes that linger in pop culture, and the film tends to be remembered mainly by fans who appreciate late 80s genre thrillers. Its status has grown modestly among fans of Schwarzenegger era cinema.