It’s been decades. Yet, somehow, whenever Set It Off comes on cable or pops up in a streaming library, you can’t look away. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s heartbreaking. Most importantly, the chemistry between the four leads felt so real that people still talk about them like they grew up on the same block. When F. Gary Gray sat in the director’s chair for this 1996 masterpiece, he wasn't just making a "heist movie." He was capturing a very specific moment in Los Angeles history, fueled by a cast that was—honestly—lighting a fuse on their careers.
The set it off actors didn’t just play characters; they embodied the desperation of the 90s working class. You had the powerhouse Jada Pinkett Smith, the rising star Queen Latifah, the classically trained Vivica A. Fox, and the newcomer Kimberly Elise. Together, they made us root for bank robbers. That’s a hard trick to pull off.
The Core Four: More Than Just Bank Robbers
Let's talk about Queen Latifah. Before she was an Oscar nominee or the face of The Equalizer, she was Cleo. Cleo was the heartbeat of that movie. Latifah brought a raw, unapologetic energy to a character that could have easily been a caricature. She drove that 1962 Chevy Impala like she owned the world, even though the world was trying to crush her. It’s wild to think that her performance as a butch, rebellious woman in a crime drama paved the way for her to become a literal CoverGirl. She proved she had range. Pure, unfiltered range.
Then there’s Jada Pinkett Smith as Stony. She was the emotional anchor. If you don't tear up during the scenes with her brother, Stevie, you might want to check your pulse. Jada was already a known name from A Different World, but this was different. This was heavy. She had to carry the weight of being the "responsible" one who finally snaps. Watching her evolution from that role into global stardom—and yes, the complex public life she leads now—is a reminder of how long she’s been in the game.
Vivica A. Fox and the Fall of Frankie
Vivica A. Fox played Frankie, the one who actually knew how banks worked. Honestly, her character’s backstory is the most infuriating. Getting fired from her job at the bank because she happened to know the person who robbed it? That’s the kind of systemic unfairness the movie tackled head-on. Vivica went straight from this into Independence Day, making 1996 the year she became a household name. She brought a certain "around the way girl" sophistication to Frankie that made the character's descent into crime feel deeply logical.
Kimberly Elise (Tisean): This was her film debut. Imagine having your first big role be alongside Latifah and Pinkett Smith. She played "T.T.," the single mother whose tragedy becomes the catalyst for the final act. Elise has since become the queen of soulful, dramatic acting, appearing in Beloved and For Colored Girls.
John C. McGinley: You might know him as Dr. Cox from Scrubs, but here he was Detective Strode. He played the "antagonist" with a weirdly empathetic edge. He wasn't a cartoon villain; he was a guy doing a job, even if that job involved hunting down women we loved.
Blair Underwood: He played Keith Weston, the love interest who represented the life Stony could have had. Underwood was already a heartthrob, but he brought a much-needed gentleness to a movie that was otherwise very high-tension.
Why the Set It Off Actors Still Resonate Today
Movies like this don't happen often. Usually, ensemble casts are lopsided. One person carries the weight. But with the set it off actors, the power was distributed. They were a unit. When they sat on that rooftop drinking and talking about "the struggle," it didn't feel like a script. It felt like a documentary of a friendship.
The film dealt with things that are still screamingly relevant: police brutality, the foster care system, wage theft, and the lack of social safety nets. When Cleo takes her final stand, it isn't just about a police chase. It’s a middle finger to a system that she felt never gave her a chance. That’s why people still post clips of that scene on social media every single week. It’s visceral.
The Supporting Cast You Forgot Were There
If you rewatch it now, you’ll see faces that became much bigger later. Dr. Dre had a cameo as Black Sam, the gun runner. It was a small role, but seeing a hip-hop titan in that gritty setting added a layer of "street cred" that the mid-90s demanded.
Then there's Thomas Jefferson Byrd, a frequent Spike Lee collaborator, who played Luther, the sleazy janitorial boss. He was so good at being terrible that you practically cheered when the girls finally had enough of his harassment. His performance is a masterclass in making a small role memorable. Sadly, Byrd passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of incredible stage and screen work that often went underappreciated by the mainstream.
Behind the Scenes: The Chemistry was Real
Director F. Gary Gray has mentioned in several interviews over the years that the bond between the women wasn't forced. They spent time together. They bonded over the heavy themes of the movie. This was a low-budget project compared to the blockbusters of today, but the stakes felt higher because the actors were so invested.
There was a lot of improvisation. Some of the banter? Just them being them. That’s the secret sauce. You can’t fake that kind of sisterhood. When T.T. cries, you feel it because Kimberly Elise was actually tapping into something raw, and the other women were there to catch her.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
A lot of critics at the time tried to dismiss it as a "female Dead Presidents" or a "hood Thelma & Louise." That's lazy. It’s its own beast. It’s a heist movie, sure, but it’s also a Greek tragedy. The set it off actors understood they weren't just making an action flick. They were portraying the consequences of being backed into a corner.
The ending—which I won't spoil if you’re one of the three people who hasn't seen it—is polarizing. Some people wanted a "happily ever after." But that wouldn't have been honest. The movie is about the cost of rebellion. It’s about what you lose when you try to take back what the world stole from you.
How to Follow the Cast in 2026
If you want to keep up with these legends, they aren't hard to find. They are the blueprint.
- Queen Latifah: She's basically an institution. Between her music, her production company (Flavor Unit), and her starring roles, she’s one of the most powerful women in Hollywood.
- Jada Pinkett Smith: She continues to produce and act, often stirring the pot with her Red Table Talk series, which changed the way celebrities talk about their personal lives.
- Vivica A. Fox: She’s the queen of the "hustle." From Lifetime movies to producing her own projects and appearing in Empire, she never stops working.
- Kimberly Elise: She stays more low-key, choosing roles that have deep emotional resonance. She’s active on social media, often sharing her journey with veganism and holistic living.
Practical Steps for Fans of the Film
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of set it off actors and the culture of 90s cinema, don't just stop at the movie.
Watch the Director’s Cut or Commentary: F. Gary Gray’s insights into how they filmed the bank robberies on a tight budget are fascinating. He used real locations in Los Angeles that look vastly different today.
Listen to the Soundtrack: It’s arguably one of the best of the 90s. It features Brandy, En Vogue, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It sets the mood perfectly and explains the "vibe" of the era better than any textbook could.
Support Their Current Projects: These women paved the way for the current generation of Black actresses in Hollywood. Whether it’s watching Latifah on CBS or catching Vivica’s latest production, supporting their longevity is the best way to honor the legacy of the film.
Explore 90s Black Cinema: If you love the grit of this movie, check out New Jack City, Sugar Hill, or Dead Presidents. There was a specific texture to filmmaking in that decade—heavy on practical effects and character-driven plots—that we’ve somewhat lost in the era of CGI.
The impact of the set it off actors can't be overstated. They took a script about four women in the "projects" and turned it into a timeless story about friendship and survival. It’s not just a movie; it’s a mood. It’s a piece of history that continues to inspire new filmmakers to tell stories about people who feel invisible. Next time it’s on, don't just channel surf. Sit down. Watch the performances. Notice the small details. You’ll see why, even in 2026, it still feels like it was made yesterday.