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Black Mass

Play trailer Poster for Black Mass R 2015 2h 2m Biography Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 289 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 the 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 Jun 14, 2017
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. Go to Full Review Kristen Yoonsoo Kim Complex Feb 22, 2017
2/5
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. Go to Full Review Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine Jun 12, 2016
2/4
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jan 2, 2026
3/4
Black Mass ably demonstrates that there's still some life left in a genre that, just when we think we're out, pulls us back in. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Feb 16, 2024
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review May 27, 2022
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ian M Sep 7, 2024 Dont glorify what he did, solid film See more Denis B @DenisB Aug 31, 2026 Great acting all around. I feel like this could have easily been a 3 hour movie. See more Christopher L @RT61641833 Aug 17, 2026 Johnny Depp is first rate as usual. I know Whitey's brother, Billy, former president of the Mass Senate. The irony is too much, one brother the most powerful politician in the state, the other, a vicious gangster. Story hews closer to the truth than the Departed. Joel Edgerton is very good in it. Depp is scary. See more Zainab M @RT84753918 Aug 7, 2026 Johnny Depp's performance as James "Whitey" Bulger was impeccably chilling, capturing the ruthless and calculating nature of the notorious crime boss. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Boston, the film vividly depicts the city's criminal underworld, creating a tense and immersive atmosphere throughout. See more Bobby B @Bobby301 Jun 13, 2026 Great movie. The acting and writing were awesome. Rory Cochran gave a great performance as did Johnny Depp as Whiter Bulger. Menacing. See more JM H @JMH9999 May 9, 2026 If you’re familiar with the Whitey Bulger saga, you’ll want to see this. Depp nails it. The actors do a great job on the local accent. Jesse Plemmons, Dakota Johnson, Joel Edgerton, et al really sound authentic. The story is just creepy as hell, but so was the real story. See more Read all reviews
Black Mass

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Cast & Crew

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Scott Cooper

Director

Johnny Depp

James "Whitey" Bulger

Joel Edgerton

John Connolly

Benedict Cumberbatch

Bill Bulger

Dakota Johnson

Lindsey Cyr

Kevin Bacon

FBI Agent Charles McGuire

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Black Mass

(L-R) Joel Edgerton as John Connolly and Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass." Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass." Black Mass (2015) Black Mass (2015) Black Mass (2015) Black Mass (2015) Black Mass (2015) View more photos

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 the 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, Free State Pictures, Warner Bros., Le Grisbi, Cross Creek Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment
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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