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Gangster Squad

Play trailer Poster for Gangster Squad R 2013 1h 50m Crime Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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30% Tomatometer 205 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) has 1949 Los Angeles in an iron fist, as he accumulates a fortune from drugs, prostitution and gambling. Cohen has an army of paid goons at his disposal, but he also has certain policemen and politicians in his pocket. It's enough to intimidate even the bravest cop, until Los Angeles Police Department mavericks, Sgts. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), form a secret crew to bring Cohen to justice.
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Gangster Squad

Gangster Squad

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Critics Consensus

Though it's stylish and features a talented cast, Gangster Squad suffers from lackluster writing, underdeveloped characters, and an excessive amount of violence.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online It's a lazy, watered down gangster flick that is not nearly as clever or as new as it attempts to be. Rated: D+ Sep 7, 2017 Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk Gangster Squad is slight pulp fiction that offers all-out, balls-to-the-wall action riddled with as many clichés as bullets. Rated: 3/5 Sep 1, 2017 Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire Those who are calling it shallow and cartoony and clichéd are missing the point. It is all of those things, purposefully - gleefully, even. Jun 21, 2016 Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine It definitely helps to watch it without taking into consideration the complicated context in which it was released, and rather keeping in mind its clear pulpy, simple and unpretentious inspirations. [Full review in Spanish]. Rated: 4/5 Oct 9, 2025 Full Review Michael Leader Den of Geek It may look pretty, and it may act tough, but Gangster Squad is as dumb as they come. Rated: 2/5 May 3, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review What a shame that such a talented cast of actors, not to mention the attractive costumes and gorgeous production design, go to waste on this all-too-familiar story. Rated: 2/4 Sep 20, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review Griffith J It feels like an exaggerated, larger than life fiction rather than an interesting piece of America history. A wildly unfocused tone with heavy subject matter & ridiculous action sequences but there is a misplaced sense of fun that I do enjoy. A great ensemble cast that do their best to work with the over-the-top writing. Gosling brings surprisingly genuine laughs that are random yet hilarious. Everything looks convincing with the style, sets, & costumes bringing this era to life. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/24/25 Full Review Audience Member Well, Best cast ever assembled for pretty much anything, haha. The acting was great but Penn's character (not performance) was SO over the top, it was laughable/ Is he Mickey Cohen or a Bond Villain? It's trying to be noir- but isn't/ it's trying to be period- and is meh/ and it's trying to be serious- and isn't. I don't regret watching it but wouldn't ever want to again and wouldn't keep in my collection. Awful title too. This coulda been a massive hit had it been made a little more thoughtfully. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Gabriel S Gangster Squad is a neo-noir crime film by Director Ruben Fleischer that attempts to blend aesthetic appeal with intense mob action, set in late 1940s Los Angeles. The film follows LAPD Sergeant John O'Mara, who is tasked with assembling an off-the-books squad to dismantle mobster Mickey Cohen's empire by any means necessary. This premise provides a solid foundation for an action-packed two-hour experience, though the story itself does little to break new ground within the genre. The film's narrative suffers from shallow character development and pacing issues. With a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes, much of the character-building occurs offscreen, leaving later emotional and moral dilemmas feeling detached and less impactful. For instance, O'Mara is presented as a loyal, hot-headed, and determined protagonist with a military background, making him a strong central figure. However, the secondary character, Sergeant Jerry Wooter, suffers from underdevelopment despite having the potential for a compelling subplot—his arc is rushed and resolved in an uninspired manner. Similarly, the antagonist Mickey Cohen’s character is mostly delivered through exposition, which diminishes his depth as a menacing figure. While the ensemble cast boasts several prominent actors, performances are mixed. Sean Penn's portrayal of Cohen is criticized for being overly theatrical and at odds with the character's background. On the other hand, the stylized presentation of characters, resembling comic book figures, adds a layer of visual coolness to the film, complemented by a jazz and swing-infused soundtrack. However, this stylistic approach often veers into a territory that feels more nostalgic and quirky than authentic or gripping. With a substantial $60 million budget, Gangster Squad certainly carries a blockbuster appeal, but its execution reflects Fleischer's television background, resulting in moments of misplaced humor amidst otherwise ruthless mob action. Critics broadly denounce the film for its lack of cohesion and depth, though some audiences, particularly on IMDb, appreciate its entertainment value. Despite its flaws, Gangster Squad ultimately delivers a straightforward, action-driven crime story with a satisfying—if slightly disconnected—conclusion. The film offers a nostalgic and entertaining watch for viewers seeking casual fun on a relaxed Sunday afternoon. While it may not rival neo-noir classics like Chinatown or L.A. Confidential, it provides a blend of testosterone-fueled adventure and aesthetic appeal that can hold the attention of its audience. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Shioka O Just give some stars for those amazing casts. Seems like all materials are right but not quite -maybe because of the amount of violence and how it's been showcased. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/24/24 Full Review Bradley G Gangster Squad really shows the different aspect of allegiance to the badge as the storyline isn't great but the acting makes it a good squad. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Gangster Squad

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) has 1949 Los Angeles in an iron fist, as he accumulates a fortune from drugs, prostitution and gambling. Cohen has an army of paid goons at his disposal, but he also has certain policemen and politicians in his pocket. It's enough to intimidate even the bravest cop, until Los Angeles Police Department mavericks, Sgts. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), form a secret crew to bring Cohen to justice.
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Producer
Dan Lin, Kevin McCormick, Michael Tadross
Screenwriter
Will Beall
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros., Lin Pictures, Kevin McCormick
Rating
R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 11, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$46.0M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital
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