Will Smith’s Mike Lowrey is one of the titular police officers in the Bad Boys franchise, and here is everything that there is to know about the character’s backstory, relationships, and key missions. Although the action and comedy of Mike Lowrey are the main appeals of the Bad Boys movies, Will Smith’s iconic character has been fleshed out quite a bit throughout the four films, with a lot of focus being given to his relationships. Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues Mike Lowrey’s story, painting an even better picture of Will Smith’s Bad Boys protagonist.

The Bad Boys franchise is finally back with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth film in the iconic buddy cop franchise. Bad Boys: Ride or Die follows up on the 2020 franchise revival movie Bad Boys for Life, with the box office success of the movie earning it another sequel. This time, officers Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are sent on a mission to clear the name of their late police captain, leading to another action-filled adventure. Bad Boys for Life already fleshed out Lowrey’s backstory quite a bit, giving a lot more context to the character.

Everything Known About Mike Lowrey’s Life Before Joining Miami PD

Not Much Has Been Revealed

Mike Lowrey works for the Miami Police Department throughout the Bad Boys franchise, and while not much focus is given to the character’s life before the events of the movie series, here is everything that is known about him. The earliest detail known about Mike Lowrey is that he graduated from Florida’s Palmetto High School, with him joining the police academy a year after graduating. However, Lowrey hasn’t spoken much about his school experience or his family, with these periods of time being left intentionally vague.

However, it is known that Joe Pantoliano’s Bad Boys character Captain Howard recruited Mike Lowrey to the Miami Police Department after he graduated from the academy, signaling that he was a promising officer. This leads to the rest of the Bad Boys franchise, setting up his policing activities throughout the four movies.

Mike Lowrey Had A Son With Isabel Aretas While Undercover

He Plays A Big Role In Ride Or Die

After being recruited by Captain Howard, the Miami PD gave Lowrey his first mission, with him being tasked with going undercover and infiltrating the Aretas drug cartel. This was the focus of the third film Bad Boys for Life, with the consequences of Lowrey’s actions during this mission being the subject of the movie’s main story. Although Mike was meant to take down the cartel, he actually ended up falling in love with the cartel’s leader Isabel Aretas, a flaw that would go on to affect Mike in many future Bad Boys missions.

Isabel ended up having an affair with Mike, although the details of how this went aren’t fully known. It is known, however, that Mike and Isabel had a son together, with him being named Armando Aretas. This led to Isabel and Mike deciding to run away together, but Mike changed his mind before this plan came to fruition. Instead, Mike revealed his undercover mission and arrested Isabel and her husband, with him leaving his lover and their young child soon after.

Mike Lowrey didn’t reunite with Isabel and Armando until much later, with the duo being the antagonists of Bad Boys for Life. The reveal of Mike’s fatherhood is treated as a twist in the movie, with the two feuding throughout. Although Armando is in prison at the end of Bad Boys for Life, Mike gives him the opportunity to help the Miami PD on a mission, explaining the characters return in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Sadly, Isabel died in Bad Boys for Life, ending her time in the Bad Boys franchise.

Mike Lowrey’s Girlfriends, Love Interests, & Wife

There’s A New One In Each Film

Mike Lowrey has had a lot of love interests throughout the Bad Boys franchise, and here is a full breakdown of each one. The aforementioned drug cartel leader Isabel Aretas was the first love interest that is known about, with their story being the subject of Bad Boys for Life. The first Bad Boys also required Mike Lowrey to work alongside his ex-girlfriend, Maxine Logan. Max was an escort who Mike dated in the past, although she was sadly killed by a drug lord during the heroin operation.

Later in Bad Boys II, it is revealed that Mike is actually dating the sister of his partner Marcus, Sydney Burnett. Bad Boys for Life reveals that Mike and Sydney broke up sometime between the second and third movie, resolving their relationship. Bad Boys for Life also features another ex-girlfriend of Mike’s, with that being Rita Secada. Rita Secada is the head of the Miami AMMO branch, with Mike and her having to work together in the third film. Rita Secada returns to the cast of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which also introduces Mike’s wife Christine.

Mike Lowrey’s Biggest Missions With Marcus Burnett Explained

They’ve Gone Through A Lot Together

Throughout the Bad Boys movies, Mike and Marcus go on a lot of important missions, and these are the biggest ones. The first Bad Boys centers around Mike and Marcus working together to track down $100 million worth of heroin that the two lost, with them having 72 hours to locate it. Bad Boys II then opens with Mike and Marcus busting the KKK, only for this to lead them into another bigger drug case. In the sequel, Mike and Marcus attempt to track down and stop the flow of ecstasy into Miami, leading to a massive war with the city’s drug cartels.

Bad Boys for Life throws a wrench in things by having Mike and Marcus’ new case be connected to Mike’s very first case. This time, the Aretas drug cartel comes back in an attempt to kill everyone involved with the trial of its leader, including Mike. Mike and Marcus have to team up with the Bad Boys‘ AMMO department in order to fight back, leading to an epic battle.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die features the next big mission from Mike and Marcus, with them attempting to clear the name of their police chief after he is falsely connected to the drug trade. However, things quickly go off the rails as they become fugitives, with them once again facing off against the Miami PD in the newest entry in the Bad Boys saga.