Action Cult Classic
Pam Grier deals out vigilante justice in a hard-hitting dose of 1970s blaxploitation.
COFFY
The Baddest One-Chick Hit-Squad that ever hit town!
After her younger sister gets involved in drugs and is severely injured by contaminated heroin, a nurse sets out on a mission of vengeance and vigilante justice, killing drug dealers, pimps, and mobsters who cross her path.
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Quick Answer
What is Coffy about?
Coffy is a 1973 American action-crime thriller directed by Jack Hill about a nurse who seeks violent revenge against drug dealers and mobsters after her sister is harmed by heroin.
Synopsis
A nurse, named Flower Child Coffin but usually referred to as 'Coffy', seeks revenge against the people responsible for her younger sister Lubelle's heroin addiction and the widespread violence that exists in her city. Under the guise of a prostitute willing to do anything for a drug fix, she lures a drug pusher and a mob boss to their residences, killing them. After the killings, Coffy returns to her job at a local hospital operating room.
After her shift, Coffy’s police friend Carter offers to drive her home. Carter is a straight-shooting officer who is not willing to bend the law for the mob or the thugs who have been bribing officers at his precinct. Coffy doesn't believe his strong moral resolve until two hooded men break into Carter's house while she's visiting him and beat Carter severely, temporarily crippling him. This enrages Coffy, giving her further provocation to continue her work as a vigilante, killing those responsible for harming Carter and her sister.
Coffy's boyfriend, Howard Brunswick, is a city councilman. Coffy admires Brunswick for his contributions to the community. Brunswick announces his plan to run for Congress, and his purchase of a night club. Coffy is pleased with these developments.
Coffy's next targets are a pimp named King George, one of the largest suppliers of prostitutes and illegal drugs in the city, and Mafia boss Arturo Vitroni, a criminal associate of George's.
Coffy questions a former patient of hers, who is a known drug user, to gain insight into the type of woman King George likes and where he keeps his stash of drugs. Coffy shows no sympathy for the drug-addled woman and is abusive to her as she looks for answers. Coffy is on a mission of revenge and no one will stand in her way. With the information she gets from the woman, Coffy tracks down George and poses as a Jamaican woman looking to trick for him.
George is immediately interested in her exotic nature and hires her. One of the prostitutes becomes jealous when she sees King George taking an interest in Coffy. Later that day, Coffy and the other prostitutes get into a massive brawl. Coffy wins out, which attracts mob boss Vitroni who demands that he must have her that night.
Coffy plans to murder Vitroni and just when she is about to shoot, she is overtaken by his men. She lies and tells Vitroni that King George ordered her to kill him, which makes Vitroni order George to be murdered. Vitroni's men kill George by lynching him by the neck from his car, which they drive through an open field.
Coffy then discovers Brunswick, her clean-cut boyfriend, is corrupt when she's shown to him at a meeting of the mob and several police officials. He denies knowing her other than as a prostitute and Coffy is sent to her death. Coffy uses her sexuality to seduce her would-be killers. They try injecting her with drugs to sedate her, but she had replaced the illicit drugs with a sugar solution earlier. Faking a high, she kills her unsuspecting hitmen with a pointed metal wire she fashioned herself and hid in her hair.
Running to avoid capture, Coffy carjacks a vehicle to escape. Coffy drives to Vitroni's house, murders him, and then goes to Brunswick's to do the same. He pleads for forgiveness and just as she is about to accept, a naked white woman comes out of his bedroom. Coffy shoots Brunswick in the groin. The film then closes with Coffy walking along the beach having avenged her sister.
After her shift, Coffy’s police friend Carter offers to drive her home. Carter is a straight-shooting officer who is not willing to bend the law for the mob or the thugs who have been bribing officers at his precinct. Coffy doesn't believe his strong moral resolve until two hooded men break into Carter's house while she's visiting him and beat Carter severely, temporarily crippling him. This enrages Coffy, giving her further provocation to continue her work as a vigilante, killing those responsible for harming Carter and her sister.
Coffy's boyfriend, Howard Brunswick, is a city councilman. Coffy admires Brunswick for his contributions to the community. Brunswick announces his plan to run for Congress, and his purchase of a night club. Coffy is pleased with these developments.
Coffy's next targets are a pimp named King George, one of the largest suppliers of prostitutes and illegal drugs in the city, and Mafia boss Arturo Vitroni, a criminal associate of George's.
Coffy questions a former patient of hers, who is a known drug user, to gain insight into the type of woman King George likes and where he keeps his stash of drugs. Coffy shows no sympathy for the drug-addled woman and is abusive to her as she looks for answers. Coffy is on a mission of revenge and no one will stand in her way. With the information she gets from the woman, Coffy tracks down George and poses as a Jamaican woman looking to trick for him.
George is immediately interested in her exotic nature and hires her. One of the prostitutes becomes jealous when she sees King George taking an interest in Coffy. Later that day, Coffy and the other prostitutes get into a massive brawl. Coffy wins out, which attracts mob boss Vitroni who demands that he must have her that night.
Coffy plans to murder Vitroni and just when she is about to shoot, she is overtaken by his men. She lies and tells Vitroni that King George ordered her to kill him, which makes Vitroni order George to be murdered. Vitroni's men kill George by lynching him by the neck from his car, which they drive through an open field.
Coffy then discovers Brunswick, her clean-cut boyfriend, is corrupt when she's shown to him at a meeting of the mob and several police officials. He denies knowing her other than as a prostitute and Coffy is sent to her death. Coffy uses her sexuality to seduce her would-be killers. They try injecting her with drugs to sedate her, but she had replaced the illicit drugs with a sugar solution earlier. Faking a high, she kills her unsuspecting hitmen with a pointed metal wire she fashioned herself and hid in her hair.
Running to avoid capture, Coffy carjacks a vehicle to escape. Coffy drives to Vitroni's house, murders him, and then goes to Brunswick's to do the same. He pleads for forgiveness and just as she is about to accept, a naked white woman comes out of his bedroom. Coffy shoots Brunswick in the groin. The film then closes with Coffy walking along the beach having avenged her sister.
The SassyFlix Take
Pam Grier storms through Los Angeles as Coffy, a nurse whose bedside manner includes shotguns and a serious grudge. This is blaxploitation with a brass-knuckle edge—social decay, corrupt politicians, and a body count that rises as quickly as Grier's star power.
From the Vault
Pam Grier never needed a cape—just a sawed-off and a mission.
Why Cult
Pam Grier Powerhouse
Pam Grier's Coffy is a force—nurse by day, avenger by night, wielding both surgical skills and firearms.
Blaxploitation Classic
A touchstone of the genre, Coffy blends vigilante justice, social commentary, and over-the-top action in 1970s Los Angeles.
Grindhouse-Style Action
From opening shootouts to brawls and car crashes, Coffy serves up relentless violence and exploitation cinema flair.
Female Vigilante Lead
Coffy flips the script with a woman driving the revenge plot, taking on drug kingpins and crooked cops herself.
Themes & Keywords
Female Nudity
Independent Film
Murder
Female Rear Nudity
Female Topless Nudity
Violence
Death
Blood
Sex Scene
Cult Film
Revenge
Grindhouse Film
Lesbian
Sadism
Police
Explosion
Prostitute
Corpse
Erotica
Shot To Death
B Movie
Fight
Kiss
Surprise Ending
Blood Splatter
Female Protagonist
Gun
Escape
Kidnapping
Low Budget Film
Fistfight
Shootout
Police Officer
Character Name In Title
Seduction
Cruelty
Prostitution
Beach
Swimming Pool
Shotgun
Pistol
Slapped In The Face
Hospital
Revolver
Drugs
1970s
Martial Arts
Dancing
Attempted Rape
Party
Love
Stripper
Nurse
Gangster
One Word Title
Killer
Criminal
Female Removes Her Clothes
Massacre
Catfight
F Rated
Corruption
Shot In The Head
African American
Mansion
Anger
Hostage
Car Crash
Nude Woman
Held At Gunpoint
Hotel
Villain
Brawl
Dark Comedy
Nightclub
Obsession
Mask
House
Murderess
California
Brothel
Tied Up
Vigilante
Braless
Sunglasses
Switchblade
Pimp
Sunbathing
Home Invasion
Vengeance
Rape And Revenge
Freeze Frame
Dead Man
Hit By A Car
Exhibitionism
Racial Slur
Clothed Male Naked Female Scene
Neo-noir
Sexual Fantasy
No Panties
Murder Of A Police Officer
Karate
Hand To Hand Combat
Drug Dealer
Strip Club
Gay Slur
Champagne
Killing Spree
Destruction
Organized Crime
Necklace
Masked Man
Broken Glass
Shot In The Stomach
Attraction
Vigilante Justice
Love Interest
Sex In A Car
Assassin
Exhibitionist
Crime Boss
Cocaine
Drug Addiction
Tough girl
Limousine
Nude Black Woman
Ghetto
Vigilantism
Pump Action Shotgun
Bisexual
Heroin
Pool Table
Silencer
Double Barreled Shotgun
Female Criminal
Action Heroine
Exotic Dancer
Police Corruption
Corrupt Cop
Gang War
Dark Past
Baseball Bat
Opening Action Scene
Hit In The Groin
Exploding Head
Transvestite
Spitting In Someone's Face
Man Killed
Los Angeles
African American Woman
Female Vigilante
Beach House
Justice
Drug Lord
Club
One Woman Army
Roadblock
Female Spy
Urban Decay
Anti Heroine
Social Decay
Righteous Rage
Drug Overdose
Transvestism
Corrupt Politician
Corrupt Official
Police Commissioner
Hit With A Baseball Bat
Sawed Off Shotgun
Professional Hit
Heroin Addict
Female Martial Artist
Hired Killer
Judo
Political Corruption
Dark Heroine
Car Fire
Billiards
Bandaged Hand
Martini
Aquarium
Female Revenge
Corvette
Dragged Behind Vehicle
Nude With A Gun
Captive Heroine
White Bikini
Threatened With A Broken Bottle
Punch
Girl With A Gun
Tied Up Heroine
Fake Accent
Drug Rehabilitation
Cocktail Party
Vase
Cola Machine
Blaxploitation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coffy about? +
Coffy is about a nurse who takes violent revenge on the criminals responsible for her younger sister's drug addiction, targeting drug dealers and mobsters in her city.
When was Coffy released? +
Coffy was released in 1973.
Who directed Coffy? +
Coffy was directed by Jack Hill.
How long is Coffy? +
Coffy has a runtime of 90 minutes.
What genre is Coffy? +
Coffy is an action, crime, and thriller film.
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