Narc

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Narc

R

2003

1h 45m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

80%

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

Dec 26, 2010

3/5

Intense cop movie for adults.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Apr 9, 2008

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.

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Time Out

Jan 26, 2006

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

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Sep 3, 2024

3.5/5

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.

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

May 9, 2024

4.5/5

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.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jan 28, 2013

B-

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Dana B

@RT62120709 Aug 17, 2026

Narc is a gritty, hard-hitting crime thriller from Joe Carnahan. The writing is sharp, the dialogue feels raw and authentic, and the story keeps you guessing as two damaged cops dig deeper into a case that refuses to stay simple. Ray Liotta and Jason Patric deliver powerful performances, while Carnahan keeps the tension tight and the atmosphere relentlessly dark. Brutal, intelligent, and gripping from start to finish.

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Romas M

@Romas Feb 16, 2026

Greetings from Lithuania. "Narc" (2002) is a gritty, dark and tense drama thriller that was written and directed by Joe Carnahan. It's strengths lies in a involving story, and excellent performances by the late great Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. This is a relatively low budget cop drama, and there isn't much action. It is a more "whodunnit" set in gritty Detroit. At its running time 1 h 38 min "Narc" does drag here and there, and the last act of film is were the most tension comes from. Overall, "Narc" isn't particularly entertaining film, but it has solid and gritty story, great acting by two leads and solid setting.

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Ray C

@RT17651982 Dec 30, 2025

An overlooked, gritty cop thriller anchored by strong performances from Jason Patric and Ray Liotta.

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Hollis Q

@Hollisqueens Nov 21, 2025

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

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 17, 2025

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

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Qinq D

@RT14362661 Oct 26, 2025

Joe Carnahan directs with a raw, almost documentary-like intensity, dropping you into a world where the line between justice and vengeance has been rubbed nearly out of existence. Jason Patric and Ray Liotta are outstanding, bringing a volatile, lived-in intensity to every scene. Their chemistry crackles with suspicion and buried rage, while the film’s relentless atmosphere keeps the tension humming beneath the surface. Narc is dark, uncompromising, and emotionally charged. A crime thriller with real grit, nerve, and soul.

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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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