Black Mass

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Black Mass

R

Released Sep 18, 2015

2h 2m

Biography

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

290 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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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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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

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Ian M

Dont glorify what he did, solid film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid understated film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Nano N

The story is well known, especially to us Bostonians but the acting makes this a must see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Brad M

The movie lacked the heart and sole of other mob movies, great cast, great acting, good story, but needed to be a 3 hour move to include the 12 years on the run to reach that epic conclusion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

Rami A

This is a well-crafted crime story. Although it is slow, it allows the audience to fully grasp the characters and their motives. The detailed exploration of each character's background adds depth, making their actions more relatable and understandable. The pacing, while deliberate, builds tension effectively, making the eventual climax all the more gripping. Additionally, the author skillfully weaves subplots that enrich the main storyline, providing a fuller picture of the world in which these characters operate. Overall, it is an engaging read that draws the audience into the moral complexities of crime and justice.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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

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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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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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