Streets of Fire

Willem Dafoe is perhaps the best role-picker in Hollywood, with countless iconic characters from Robert Pattinson’s deranged mentor in The Lighthouse, to Emma Stone’s kooky mad scientist dad in Poor Things. But back in his younger days the roles skewed a little sexier – albeit with his singular brand of toothy sleaze. None fit the brand more so perhaps than in this 1984 camped-out neo-noir rock opera, wherein he plays Raven, an evil biker gang leader who kidnaps rock star Ellen Aim (Diane Lane). Her former soldier beau Cody (Michael Paré) is hired to rescue her and an urban chase ensues. Dafoe’s widow’s peak goes hard in this glam rock West Side Story that’s worth a watch on the big screen.– Lina Fisher