Jackals Poster

Jackals 1986

★ 7.01 votes97 min📅 1986-09-19

"An ex-cop. To escape the violence, he quit the force. The violence followed him."

Fleeing the brutality of his past, an ex-cop retreats to a quiet border town only to find the violence he left behind has followed him. When a shadowy operation smuggling undocumented immigrants into the U.S.

Director: Gary Grillo

Cast

Jameson Parker
Jameson Parker
Dave Buchanon
Jack Lucarelli
Jack Lucarelli
Joe Case
Gerald McRaney
Gerald McRaney
Jake Wheeler
Wilford Brimley
Wilford Brimley
Sheriff Mitchell
Jeannie Wilson
Jeannie Wilson
Jess Buchanon
Rosanna DeSoto
Rosanna DeSoto
Manuela
Randy Hall
Randy Hall
Raybo
Danelle Hand
Angelina
Warner Glenn
Warner
Sherry Adamo
Little

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jackals (1986) about?

*Jackals* follows a former police officer who moves to a remote border town to escape his violent past—only to uncover a dangerous smuggling operation trafficking undocumented immigrants. As he digs deeper, he's forced to confront the criminals he once swore to stop and the town's dark secrets.

Who directed Jackals?

Jackals was directed by Gary Grillo, who crafts a tense crime drama steeped in southwestern atmosphere and moral conflict.

Who stars in Jackals?

The film features Jameson Parker, Jack Lucarelli, Gerald McRaney, Wilford Brimley, and Rosanna DeSoto in key roles.

Is Jackals (1986) worth watching?

While *Jackals* isn't a blockbuster, its blend of crime and action delivers a solid mid-80s thriller experience. The strong performances, particularly by Gerald McRaney and Wilford Brimley, elevate the story, making it a decent pick for fans of gritty, character-driven crime dramas.

How long is Jackals?

Jackals has a runtime of 97 minutes.

About Jackals (1986) — A retired cop battles border-town smugglers in this gritty crime thriller

Fleeing the brutality of his past, an ex-cop retreats to a quiet border town only to find the violence he left behind has followed him. When a shadowy operation smuggling undocumented immigrants into the U.S. surfaces, the retired lawman is pulled back into action—this time as an unlikely hero fighting against ruthless criminals who value profit over human lives. With a gritty atmosphere and small-town tensions simmering beneath the surface, *Jackals (1986)* delivers a tense crime drama that blends action with moral reckoning.

Directed by Gary Grillo and anchored by a cast including Jameson Parker, Gerald McRaney, and Wilford Brimley, the film explores themes of redemption and justice as an unlikely alliance forms to dismantle a dangerous smuggling ring. Shot in a sun-baked southwestern setting, the movie captures the loneliness of the desert and the desperation of those caught between borders—both geographical and moral.