blackmail theme

The act of blackmailing is featured in a way that is (arguably) considered criminal in the context. Blackmail is an act of coercion using the threat of revealing or publicizing either substantially true or false information about a person or people unless certain demands are met. It is often damaging information, and may be revealed to family members or associates rather than to the general public. It may involve using threats of physical, mental or emotional harm, or of criminal prosecution, against the victim or someone close to the victim. It is normally carried out for personal gain, most commonly of position, money, or property. It is also used, sometimes by state agencies, to exert influence.

101 total · 16 choice · 36 major · 48 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
ahh1x03 choice A family was being blackmailed for $6,000 by some blackguards who threatened to reveal disagreeable truths to the family's adopted daughter.
ahp1x19 choice Ralph was being blackmailed by a vagrant who'd witnessed Ralph murder a business partner in the park.
ahp3x11 choice Jack blackmailed housewives by making up stories of infidelity and threatening to reveal them. In the end, he was himself blackmailed.
ahp4x10 choice Blanche tried to blackmail Iris into divorcing Oliver.
ahp7x08 choice Frank was being blackmailed by Cullen, and later his old boss Nicholson.
columbo1971e10x02 choice The newscaster Budd Clarke told Wade Anders in no uncertain terms that he'd expose Wade for having made a porno film back in the day unless Wade handed his TV presenter spot over to Budd.
columbo1971e10x03 choice Hugh found himself blackmailed into retaining his lover, Marcy, and murdered her, only to find himself in the same situation again with his assistant blackmailing him over the murder and intent on marriage.
columbo1971e10x06 choice The main event of the story is Dolores killing Harold in order to rid herself of a blackmailer.
columbo1971e10x14 choice Justin Price murdered his blackmailer, Linwood Coben.
columbo1971e3x03 choice Harry tried to blackmail Nelson into leaving his mistress. Harry mentioned that he "knew where all the bodies were buried" and expected therefore to get his way. Alas, all he got was a bullet.