  |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
| “ | Nothing mystical about them, even if they themselves would like to think so. Just one step up the ladder of organized crime. | „ |
| ~ Vladimir Lem describing the truth nature of the Inner Circle to Max Payne. |
The Inner Circle are a secret society that hold a great deal of power over organized crime in New York city as well as the Federal Government of the United States and many corporations. The main faction appears as the supporting anti-villains in Max Payne. The renegade faction of the Inner Circle appears as the main antagonists of Max Payne 2.
History[]
Similar to many mythical secret societies, the Inner Circle has ties to many institutions of power. These includes government, judicial, religious, criminal, financial, commercial, technological and socio-political aspects of society. They are also known to use their agents as proxies in their ambitions, such as supporting Max Payne's lust for revenge to take out Nicole Horne, an enemy of the Inner Circle as well as destroy all remnants of the Valkyr project.
In the first game, the Inner Circle are introduced as shadowy businessmen with access to classified government intel and represented by Alfred Woden, who was one of their co-leaders at the time. After providing Max Payne with the necessary intel he needs to take down Nicole Horne, their headquarters is attacked and most of the group is killed, except for Alfred Woden who had become toe sole leader of the Inner Circle. Max also discovers hard evidence that reveal the long history of this ancient group and the depth of their influence and affluence. This level of power is proven when Alfred Woden honoured his end of the bargain by having Max pardoned of all of his charges.
In the second game, with Alfred Woden dying, the Inner Circle entered a brutal civil war between the main faction and a renegade faction led by Alfred's own protégé, Vladimir Lem. The Inner Circle continues to suffer targeted assassinations and attacks from the Cleaners, who were revealed to be Vladimir's men. Alfred Woden supported a mob war against Vladimir's gang through Vinnie Gognitti and had help from two Inner Circle proxies, Max Payne and Mona Sax. After the deaths of Vinnie, Alfred and Mona, Max Payne purges the renegade faction and kills Vladimir Lem. By then, most of the Inner Circle were eliminated and their new leaders are unknown.
External Links[]
- Inner Circle on the Max Payne Wiki
[]
 Villains
| ||
|
Max Payne Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Max Payne 3 Max Payne (film) See Also | ||