See how Beverly Hills Cop hits the 15 Save the Cat! story beats.

Beverly Hills Cop is a 1984 American action-comedy film directed by Martin Brest and written by Daniel Petrie Jr. It stars Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a resourceful and street-smart Detroit police officer who travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend. The film is celebrated for its combination of humor and action and played a significant role in establishing Eddie Murphy as a major star in Hollywood.

The film became a massive box office success, grossing over $234 million in the United States alone (nearly $709 million in 2024 adjusted gross), making it the highest-grossing film in 1984, more impressive for a rated-R movie. It received critical acclaim for its sharp script, engaging performances, and Eddie Murphy’s dynamic presence. The film’s success led to two sequels, released in 1987 and 1994, and discussions of further installments continue.

The franchise continues with a new movie premiering on Netflix, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, bringing back the beloved character of Axel Foley and introducing the action-comedy to a new generation of fans.

Screenplay by: Daniel Petrie Jr
Story by: Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie Jr.
Directed by: Martin Brest

Genre: Fool Triumphant (Fool Out of Water)
Cousins: Coming to America, Daddy Day Care, Legally Blonde, Stripes, Elf, Private Benjamin, Midnight Cowboy, District 9, After Hours, The Big Blue, The Counterfeiters, My Blue Heaven, The Pacifier, Crocodile Dundee

Opening Image: Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), a plainclothes Detroit detective, finds himself in hot water after his latest unauthorized sting operation goes awry. The operation, meant to catch a group of criminals in the act of selling illegal cigarettes, turns into chaos when two uniformed officers accidentally intervene. Mass destruction ensues—smashing cars, toppling street vendor stands, and damaging public property—during a chase through the city’s streets with Foley in the back.

Set-Up: Through the opening chaotic action, we see Foley’s character: resourceful, daring, and frequently at odds with convention. In the aftermath, Foley faces the wrath of his superior, Inspector Douglas Todd (Gilbert R. Hill). Todd’s frustration is apparent as he reprimands Foley for his reckless behavior, which has severe repercussions for the department. Foley’s attempts to justify his actions fall on deaf ears. Todd warns him that he will face termination if he doesn’t change his ways.

Theme Stated: This clash highlights the ongoing tension between Foley’s unorthodox methods and the police force’s structured, rule-bound environment. It sets up the theme of going against institutional rules to seek justice, and Axel Foley will test those rules throughout the film.

Set-Up (cont’d): Foley returns to his apartment only to find it has been broken into by his childhood friend, Michael “Mikey” Tandino (James Russo). Mikey, who had previously served prison time for a car theft they committed together in their youth, has since found a job as a security guard in Beverly Hills through their mutual friend, Jenny Summers. Their reunion is bittersweet, filled with nostalgia and unease.

Mikey shows Foley some German bearer bonds, which are high-value and untraceable financial instruments. Foley is immediately suspicious but chooses not to question Mikey about their origin. Instead, they head to a bar to catch up, reminiscing about old times and enjoying their brief reunion.

Catalyst: Their evening darkens when they return to Foley’s apartment. Two men, Zack (Jonathan Banks) and Casey (Michael Champion) force their way in, knocking Foley unconscious. They confront Mikey about the stolen bearer bonds; despite Mikey’s attempts to explain, Zack and Casey shoot and murder him in cold blood.

Debate: After his friend Mikey’s murder, Axel asks his boss, Inspector Todd, to investigate but is denied due to his involvement. Foley says he wants a vacation. Todd warns him that if he goes after the Tandino killers, Foley will be put on permanent vacation. Axel travels to Beverly Hills to take a vacation to solve Mikey’s murder.

Element 1 of a Fool Triumphant genre: A Fool Whose Innocence Is His Strength: Axel’s resourcefulness and street-smarts often make him underestimated by those around him, particularly within the rigid structure of the Beverly Hills Police Department. The polished officers of Beverly Hills initially dismiss his unorthodox methods, but it is precisely this unconventional approach that ultimately proves to be his greatest asset.

Break into Two: He reconnects with his old friend Jennette Summers (Lisa Eilbacher). She works for Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), an art gallery owner who Axel investigates.

B Story: After being thrown out of Victor Maitland’s office, Axel is arrested and taken to the Beverly Hills precinct. There, he’s questioned by detectives Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton). Though their relationship starts as tense and antagonistic, Axel and the Beverly Hills cops will soon form a strong friendship of trust that will help the Detroit cop to solve the mystery. The B Story highlights the clash between Foley’s street-smart approach and the polished Beverly Hills Police Department.

Fun and Games: Lieutenant Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) says the Beverly Hills Police Department does everything “by the book.” This is a stark contrast to Axel Foley’s instinctive run-and-gun law enforcement. Axel truly is a fish out of water here. Jenny Summers bails Axel out. Rosewood and Taggart follow him. Axel disables their beige Ford at his hotel with a few bananas in the tailpipe so they can’t follow his next move.

Element 2 of a Fool Triumphant genre: An Establishment: Axel’s arrival in Beverly Hills highlights his status as an outsider. The Beverly Hills Police Department, with its formal procedures and polished appearance, contrasts sharply with Axel’s rough-and-ready Detroit background. Axel is initially out of place in this new environment, leading to several humorous and tense encounters as he navigates the unfamiliar territory.

Axel convinces Jenny he must see Victor Maitland’s warehouse, where Mikey Tandino worked as a security guard. Axel finds coffee grounds. He also witnesses two men unloading a crate of German bearer bonds, just like the ones his friend Mikey had, and close the crate back up. Axel and Jenny follow the crate to another warehouse. Axel tells Jenny to go home. As a “customs investigator,” Foley gives some warehouse employees a hard time as he tracks the history of the crate.

Staked out in front of Axel’s hotel, Rosewood and Taggart act like an old married couple, and Billy nags his partner about overeating red meat and drinking too much coffee. Axel shows up and tries to make friends, inviting them out for a drink. They reluctantly accept.

Midpoint: But it’s a strip club! Axel presents the coffee grounds to Taggart, hoping to gain an ally. However, Taggart is clueless, and the A and B Stories cross. During the social hour, two men try to rob the place, and Axel takes them down with the still clueless Taggart assisting. Foley demonstrates that street smarts in crime fighting are much better than by-the-book tactics.

Bad Guys Close In: Axel is pursued by two more detectives, McCabe and Foster. He quickly gives them the slip and confronts Victor Maitland at a posh club. Axel body slams Victor’s bodyguard and tells him that he will “fuck up” Victor if he had anything to do with Mikey’s death. Foley is arrested.

He’s taken back to the police department, where he tells Bogomil, Rosewood, and Taggart everything Victor Maitland’s doing. Chief Hubbard (Stephen Elliot) orders Bogomil to send Axel packing. He can’t practice law enforcement in Beverly Hills.

At the same time, Victor Maitland and hitman Zack drop in on Jenny Summers. Maitland grills her about Axel Foley and his whereabouts. Jenny lies that she doesn’t know what hotel he’s staying at, but Victor knows better.

As Rosewood takes Axel back to his hotel to pack and watch him leave town, the Detroit cop convinces him to look at the warehouse. They grab Jenny and go. Axel tells Jenny to wait in the car, but she won’t stay put.

All Is Lost: Victor Maitland, Zack, and his men take Jenny away. Axel is left with other members of the villain’s team, including Casey, who was involved in Mikey’s death. It’s not looking great for Axel. The goons take turns beating him up before they prepare to kill him. It’s a whiff of death moment for Axel Foley.

Dark Night of the Soul: Billy Rosewood is sitting in his car, unsure of what to do. Finally, he climbs out after he sees Victor and his henchmen leave with Jenny. He goes into the warehouse and kills Casey, who’s beating up Axel. This gives Axel a diversion to punch out the rest of his attackers.

Break into Three: With Rosewood’s help, they head to Victor Maitland’s lavish residence to rescue Jenny, tying A and B Stories together.

Five-Point Finale
Gathering the Team: Taggart joins Axel and Rosewood. Bogomil is wondering what’s going on.

Executing the Plan: Axel and the boys enter the villa compound to spring Jenny. A shootout with armed thugs with Uzis ensues.

High Tower Surprise: Axel kills Zack, the hitman who murdered Mikey, and Foley’s vengeance is almost complete. However, the Detroit cop is shot and wounded by Victor Maitland.

Dig Down Deep: Victor stalks the bleeding Axel, who is almost out of ammunition in Maitland’s home. Outside, Rosewood and Taggart are outgunned by high-powered weapons. They’re pinned down like Butch and Sundance at the end of their movie, which Billy comments on. Bogomil shows up.

Executing the New Plan: Maitland shows up with Jenny. Axel and Bogomil have guns on him. Jenny escapes. Axel and Bogomil kill Maitland, tying A and B Stories together. The rest of the Beverly Hills Police Department show up. The remainder of Maitland’s gang are either killed or arrested. In proper Axel Foley form, Bogomil lies to tell the chief about what happened to save his department’s ass. It works.

Element 3 of a Fool Triumphant genre: A Transmutation: Throughout his journey, Axel transforms from a lone, rogue cop into a respected figure who wins the trust and admiration of the Beverly Hills officers. By the end, his unconventional methods are validated, and his relationship with Rosewood and Taggart solidifies, marking his acceptance into their world.

Final Image: Axel checks out of the Beverly Palm Hotel. The police department picks up the tab. Rosewood and Taggart are instructed to make sure Axel is leaving town. But more than that, they’re all friends now. They worked on a case together and solved it. They’re all better police officers and friends because of it. This symbolizes his impact on the Beverly Hills institution. Axel, in trademark fashion, invites his two new friends for a drink. Being less by the book than before, Taggart and Rosewood agree. Chaos will undoubtedly ensue.