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Black Mass

R Released Sep 18, 2015 2h 2m Biography Crime Drama List
73% Tomatometer 292 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
While his brother Bill (Benedict Cumberbatch) remains a powerful leader in the Massachusetts Senate, Irish hoodlum James "Whitey" Bulger (Johnny Depp) continues to pursue a life of crime in 1970s Boston. Approached by FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), the lawman convinces Whitey to help the agency fight the Italian mob. As their unholy alliance spirals out of control, Bulger increases his power and evades capture to become one of the most dangerous gangsters in U.S. history.
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Black Mass

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Critics Consensus

Black Mass spins a gripping yarn out of its fact-based story -- and leaves audiences with one of Johnny Depp's most compelling performances in years.

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Critics Reviews

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Angie Han Slashfilm Scott Cooper appears to have made Black Mass under the assumption that his work was half done the moment he jotted the words "Boston-set crime drama" on a notepad. Jun 14, 2017 Full Review Kristen Yoonsoo Kim Complex Depp sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise bland crime drama. And when the film isn't distracting, it's mostly just plain boring. Rated: 2/5 Feb 22, 2017 Full Review Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine Yes, it's a relief to see Depp playing a real character again, not another one of his circus freaks -- I just wish he'd been given a better film to operate in. Rated: 2/4 Jun 12, 2016 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Still, for at least two hours, it's awfully nice to stare in impressive awe at Johnny Depp without having to roll our eyes or squint. Rated: 3/5 Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Despite the seemingly eternal appeal of gangsters in cinema, and Bulger as a subject of fascination and horror, Black Mass proves to be little more than uninterestingly made based-on-a-true-story fare. Rated: 2.5/4 May 27, 2022 Full Review Olly Richards NME (New Musical Express) Johnny Depp plays a monstrous Boston gangster in a disguise so unsettling you'll struggle to recognise him. Rated: 3/5 Jun 8, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ian M Dont glorify what he did, solid film Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/07/24 Full Review Kevin O Needed to tell story of the 12 years on the run. Slow Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Bruno V Filme com pouca performances no aspecto da violência. Mas um filme bem retratado. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review shana p Somehow Johnny Depp makes you empathize with James Bulger and that makes the movie intriguing and impossible to turn away from. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Angelo H This is the first time I honestly feel that this movie deserves more attention than it gets very very underrated. Superb performances all around If you have not seen this movie u are not a true crime movie fan Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/05/23 Full Review topper2142 Personally I thought this was a great movie regardless of its accurate portrayal of whitey. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

White Boy Rick 57% 50% White Boy Rick TRAILER for White Boy Rick Legend 61% 59% Legend TRAILER for Legend American Gangster 81% 89% American Gangster Gotti 0% 44% Gotti TRAILER for Gotti Crown Heights 77% 77% Crown Heights TRAILER for Crown Heights Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis While his brother Bill (Benedict Cumberbatch) remains a powerful leader in the Massachusetts Senate, Irish hoodlum James "Whitey" Bulger (Johnny Depp) continues to pursue a life of crime in 1970s Boston. Approached by FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), the lawman convinces Whitey to help the agency fight the Italian mob. As their unholy alliance spirals out of control, Bulger increases his power and evades capture to become one of the most dangerous gangsters in U.S. history.
Director
Scott Cooper
Producer
John Lesher, Brian Oliver, Scott Cooper, Patrick McCormick, Tyler Thompson
Screenwriter
Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Head Gear Films, Le Grisbi, Warner Bros., RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Cross Creek Pictures, Free State Pictures
Rating
R (Brutal Violence|Brief Drug Use|Language Throughout|Some Sexual References)
Genre
Biography, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 18, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$62.6M
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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