To Live and Die in L.A.

Play trailer

2:05

To Live and Die in L.A.

R

Released Nov 1, 1985

1h 56m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Along with his new, straitlaced partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), Chance sets up a scheme to entrap Masters, resulting in the accidental death of an undercover officer. As Chance's desire for justice becomes an obsession, Vukovich questions the lawless methods he employs.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

With coke fiends, car chases, and Wang Chung galore, To Live and Die in L.A. is perhaps the ultimate '80s action/thriller.

Read Critics Reviews

Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

The high point of the film is a stunning car chase, in which the agents drive against the flow of traffic on a busy six-lane freeway that is only surpassed by the one in Friedkin’s earlier masterpiece, The French Connection.

Feb 7, 2023

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

If Friedkin occasionally goes overboard, he certainly commands an attention-getting technique and manages to tell a fascinating story.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2021

Full Review

Catherine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

Comparisons to TV's "Miami Vice" are probably inevitable because of the picture's look and sound track. But "To Live and Die in L.A." is hotter, faster, kinkier, and has better music.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 22, 2021

Full Review

Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

Live and Die remains one of the late director’s best: a neo-noir caper with a sharp script and the occasional burst of grindhouse violence.

May 21, 2025

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Friedkin is a master making the sweaty and seedy suspenseful.

Mar 23, 2025

Full Review

Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Friedkin’s film has aged so much better than other ‘80s policers because it captures the hard, amoral emptiness of the age.

Feb 23, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 56 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $16,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Sam N

To Live and Die in L.A. is a sharp, cynical thriller where style trumps sentiment. Friedkin pairs bold visuals with a pulsing Tangerine Dream score, driving a fast, morally murky plot. Corruption spreads, rules bend, and no one stays clean. The car chase is a highlight—second only to The French Connection. Boldly killing off the lead mid-film, it bridges classic noir and modern thrillers. In this world, survival means faking it better than the rest.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

Full Review

Jeffrey P

Waited awhile to see this, about 40 years, but it didn’t disappoint. It does have some of the flaws of the time, but it never succumbs to them. The twist, that isn’t really a twist as much as a development, really takes things to another level and makes it fully engaging until the conclusion. If someone has an 80's thriller craving and haven’t seen this, it will do the trick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Shane R

I honestly liked it for the most part, but thought it sucked as far as any redeeming quality goes. But my personal tastes go to the uplifting rather than ambiguous endings, so I didn't like "No Country For Old Men" all that much either.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

Full Review

Alain E

A visual masterpiece, especially in the night scenes. The story stands to scrutiny. I especially enjoyed Willem Dafoe and Darlanne Fluegel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

Full Review

Aaron U

The movie is a bit dated but very well done with amazing twists and turns in the plot that offset those issues. Honestly, the surprises are amazing and I can’t imagine any director having the guts to do them today. You also get to see a host of very good actors at the start of their careers.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

William Friedkin

Director

William Petersen

Richard Chance

Willem Dafoe

Eric 'Rick' Masters

John Pankow

John Vukovich

Debra Feuer

Bianca Torres

John Turturro

Carl Cody

Off Limits

45%

33%

Off Limits

Watchlist

Code of Silence

68%

51%

Code of Silence

Watchlist

Year of the Dragon

53%

53%

Year of the Dragon

Watchlist

No Mercy

31%

29%

No Mercy

Watchlist

Tequila Sunrise

53%

40%

Tequila Sunrise

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

To Live and Die in L.A.: Trailer 1

2:05

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Along with his new, straitlaced partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), Chance sets up a scheme to entrap Masters, resulting in the accidental death of an undercover officer. As Chance's desire for justice becomes an obsession, Vukovich questions the lawless methods he employs.

Director: William Friedkin
Producer: Irving H. Levin
Screenwriter: William Friedkin, Gerald Petievich
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Vestron Video
Production Co: New Century Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now