Night of the Juggler

by Mike McGranaghan

When Columbia Pictures released Night of the Juggler in 1980, it didn’t make much of an impression at the box office. The movie was eventually released on VHS where it developed a cult following. Since then, though, this gritty NYC-based thriller has been difficult to find. That ends now. After a screening at Fantasia 2025, Kino Lorber has a new 4K restoration going into limited theatrical release, followed by a long-overdue Blu-ray release in September. Without a doubt, this is one of the most notable cinematic discoveries of 2025.

Demented psychopath Gus Soltic (Cliff Gorman) has a plan to kidnap the teenage daughter of a wealthy real estate developer whom he blames for his neighborhood’s deterioration. The plan goes sideways when he accidentally nabs the wrong girl. She’s Kathy Boyd (Abby Bluestone), the daughter of ex-cop-turned-truck driver Sean Boyd (James Brolin). Sean launches a one-man crusade to find Soltic, relentlessly chasing the guy through the city. Hindering his progress is a bad cop, Sgt. Barnes (Dan Hedaya), with a grudge against him.

Night of the Juggler is the kind of good, old-fashioned movie that couldn’t be made today because of how much New York City has changed. Onscreen here, it’s in full late-1970s grime and sleaze mode. Action scenes take place in the crowded streets and subway system. Graffiti is visible everywhere. There’s an incredible scene where Sean storms a Times Square peep show looking to confront a sex worker. You even get the now politically incorrect sight of Mandy Patinkin adopting a thick accent to portray a Puerto Rican cab driver. NYC has rarely been shown in such a gloriously seedy manner.

James Brolin gives a ferocious performance as the pissed-off father. He’s in full-on rage mode through most of the picture, which allows you to feel Sean’s unwavering determination to save Kathy. Whenever an obstacle presents itself, the guy smashes right through it – a trait Brolin makes thoroughly convincing. Many of the supporting actors deliver scenery-chewing turns, but holy cow, are they fun. Gorman oozes repulsiveness as Soltic, and Hedaya is absolutely unhinged as the vengeful Barnes.

Parts of Night of the Juggler were directed by Sidney J. Furie, who quit a few weeks into production and was replaced by Robert Butler. Regardless of which man directed which scenes, the action is consistently intense, the violence brutal. Car chases, fist fights, and shootouts reign supreme. The movie additionally contains a significant amount of racial material that would never make final cut today. Racial division in 1970s New York plays an important role at several points, contributing to the overall edgy vibe.

Anyone with fondness for movies that portray the rough-and-tumble days of New York City needs to see Night of the Juggler. It isn’t the slickest, most polished thriller of the era, although it doesn’t need to be. A few rough edges only enhance the experience. Thank goodness this lost gem will now be available for more people to discover.

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