Raging Bull - Characters & Cast

Jake is driven by a toxic cocktail of professional ambition, deep-seated sexual insecurity, and a desperate need for control. He is terrified of being perceived as weak or feminine, which manifests as extreme jealousy and possessiveness over his wife, Vickie. His violence is both an expression of his inability to articulate his emotions and a masochistic desire for punishment, which he believes absolves him of his sins.

Jake's arc is one of tragic downfall fueled by his own character flaws. He begins as a powerful, rising middleweight contender whose aggression serves him in the ring. As he achieves success, winning the championship and marrying Vickie, his paranoia and jealousy grow uncontrollably. He systematically destroys every important relationship in his life, culminating in the brutal assault on his brother, Joey. His career declines, he gains a massive amount of weight, loses his family, and ends up in jail. The final scenes show him as a lonely, washed-up nightclub entertainer, attempting to piece together a semblance of dignity and self-awareness after losing everything.

Joey's primary motivation is to protect his brother and secure their financial future through Jake's boxing career. He is loyal to a fault, but he is also pragmatic, understanding the need to deal with the mob to get Jake a title shot. He is constantly trying to be the voice of reason against Jake's irrational rage and jealousy.

Joey starts as Jake's loyal and pragmatic brother and manager, trying to navigate Jake's career and shield him from his worst impulses. He attempts to manage Jake's temper and make sound business decisions, but is constantly undermined by Jake's paranoia. The relationship reaches a breaking point when Jake, in a fit of baseless jealous rage, brutally attacks Joey in front of his family. This act irrevocably severs their bond. Years later, when Jake tries to reconcile, Joey's reluctant, pained acceptance shows the permanent scar of Jake's betrayal.

Initially, Vickie is drawn to Jake's status and power as a rising boxing star. Her motivation becomes survival as she finds herself trapped in an abusive and controlling marriage. She tries to navigate Jake's moods and placate his jealousy, but ultimately her motivation is to escape and protect herself and her children from his destructive behavior.

Vickie is introduced as a confident, alluring 15-year-old who catches Jake's eye. She enters the relationship seemingly aware of her power but quickly becomes the primary victim of Jake's suffocating jealousy and abuse. Her arc is one of gradual entrapment and disillusionment. She endures years of psychological and physical torment, her spirit slowly eroded by Jake's paranoia. Eventually, she finds the strength to leave him after his career and life have completely fallen apart, taking their children with her.