Narc

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Narc

R

2003

1h 45m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Tells the dark story of suspended undercover narcotics officer, Nick Tellis (Jason Patric), who is reluctantly drawn back onto the force to find the truth behind the murder of a young police officer killed in the line of duty. He is teamed with Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the slain officer's partner, a rogue cop who will stop at nothing to avenge his friend's death. As Tellis and Oak unravel the case, the dark underbelly of the narcotics world reveals itself in surprising ways.

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Critics Consensus

Jason Patric and Ray Liotta are electrifying in this gritty, if a little too familiar, cop drama.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Intense cop movie for adults.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2010

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

As a director Carnahan definitely has the goods... Unfortunately the script is your basic renegade-cop narrative, with the usual hoo-ha about justice versus the law.

Apr 9, 2008

Full Review

Time Out

If Carnahan keeps wrenching this material back an inch or two from clich, it's only an inch or two.

Jan 26, 2006

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Just note there’s some drug use, though it’s depicted in a cautionary manner. The storyline can be perplexing at times, but the performances from Mr. Patric and Liotta are truly outstanding.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 3, 2024

Full Review

Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

The film is one of those well-written, well-directed, and well-done on just about every single level. The work by Carnahan here shows talent and dedication to the story on his second feature film as a director and an early feature as a writer.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 9, 2024

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B-

Jan 28, 2013

Full Review

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Jack F

Yeah I remember stumbling across this one. From what I remember, it wasn't my favorite, but I watched it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

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Tracy U

One of the best films of 2002

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/25

Full Review

Oliver C

The stylish conviction of Carnahan and his never-better leads make this familiar yarn worth caring about.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/25

Full Review

Mitchell C

Joe Carnahan's Narc is familiar stuff, but it is bracingly effective. There hasn't been a cop and robbers film this cold and harsh since the 1970's

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

Full Review

Janis E

Joe Carnahan's Narc is familiar stuff, but it is bracingly effective. There hasn't been a cop and robbers film this cold and harsh since the 1970's

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Chris R

The stylish conviction of Carnahan and his never-better leads make this familiar yarn worth caring about.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

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Director

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Synopsis

Tells the dark story of suspended undercover narcotics officer, Nick Tellis (Jason Patric), who is reluctantly drawn back onto the force to find the truth behind the murder of a young police officer killed in the line of duty. He is teamed with Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the slain officer's partner, a rogue cop who will stop at nothing to avenge his friend's death. As Tellis and Oak unravel the case, the dark underbelly of the narcotics world reveals itself in surprising ways.

Director: Joe Carnahan
Producer: Diane Nabatoff, Ray Liotta, Michelle Grace, Julius R. Nasso
Screenwriter: Joe Carnahan
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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