In Inside Man (2006), which actor plays detective Keith Frazier?

Denzel Washington plays detective Keith Frazier in Inside Man (2006), Spike Lee’s bank-heist thriller.

Frazier is a New York Police Department detective assigned to negotiate during a hostage situation at a Manhattan bank. The robbery is led by Dalton Russell, played by Clive Owen, and the investigation becomes complicated by the presence of Madeleine White, a crisis-management specialist played by Jodie Foster.

The film uses a non-linear structure. Police interviews with hostages appear alongside the developing siege, while later scenes reveal how the robbers’ plan differs from what the authorities initially believe. This structure makes Frazier’s investigation the audience’s main route through the mystery.

Inside Man was written by Russell Gewirtz and directed by Spike Lee. Although it is a fictional story, it draws on familiar heist elements such as disguises, controlled access, negotiation, and a hidden objective. Washington’s character is a detective rather than the robber, which distinguishes the film from many crime stories centered on the mastermind.