In the 1996 crime action film Set It Off, Queen Latifah delivered a defining performance as Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Sims, one of four friends from the projects who decide to rob banks to escape systemic poverty. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray, was praised not just for its action, but for the profound emotional bond between the four leads. Queen Latifah’s final, defiant stand against the police became the devastating climax of this emotional journey, turning the film’s ending into one of the most tear-jerking and tragically heroic moments in 90s cinema.
Cleo was the group’s tough, outspoken, and fiercely loyal member. She was masculine-of-center, an out lesbian, and defined by her desire to spoil her girlfriend and maintain a sense of pride and freedom in a world that constantly marginalized her. As the film spirals into tragedy after a series of successful robberies, the four women are relentlessly pursued by the police. The climax sees their desperate attempt to escape together violently fail.
When the final confrontation occurs, Cleo, driving their getaway car, finds herself cornered by Detective Strode and a squadron of police cars. The moment is marked by Cleo’s realization that there is no escape, and she must take action to protect her friend, Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith), who is attempting to flee on foot. Rather than surrendering, Cleo makes a choice rooted in ultimate loyalty. She accelerates her car directly toward the police blockade, effectively sacrificing herself to draw the focus and allow Stony a chance to escape. The scene is incredibly raw, ending with a brutal shootout. The sheer loyalty and self-sacrifice of her final, chaotic act—choosing to go out on her own terms and for the sake of her friend—was a devastating blow to the audience.
The tragic ending, particularly the death of Cleo, profoundly affected viewers who had been made to sympathize deeply with the characters’ motivations. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $41 million on a $9 million budget. Critics praised the strong performances, especially those of Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith, and the film’s powerful social commentary on race, class, and gender. Cleo’s death is consistently cited in fan discussions as the most heartbreaking moment of the film. It cemented her character as an ultimate “ride-or-die” figure, and the final scene remains a powerful, tear-jerking testament to the bonds of friendship in the face of impossible odds. Queen Latifah’s performance as Cleo ensured that the film was remembered not just as a heist thriller, but as a devastating drama about the high price of freedom.
@shortscenesentertainment Cleo’s last moment hit different. That gunfire party. That song. That look in her eyes. Legendary pain. #fyp #movieclips #setitoff #queenlatifah