Black Mass

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Black Mass

R

2015

2h 2m

Biography

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

289 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 the 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

Jun 14, 2017

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.

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Kristen Yoonsoo Kim

Complex

Feb 22, 2017

2/5

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.

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Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

Jun 12, 2016

2/4

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 2, 2026

3/4

Black Mass ably demonstrates that there's still some life left in a genre that, just when we think we're out, pulls us back in.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Feb 16, 2024

3/5

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.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

May 27, 2022

2.5/4

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.

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Ian M

Sep 7, 2024

Dont glorify what he did, solid film

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Jake F

@jake222 Sep 14, 2026

It's a fascinating movie if you're interested in these Irish mafia criminals, truly nasty people and the FBI working with them? Yes, really. My only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to follow who is getting killed by Jimmy for what exactly and why is his name Whitey if he goes by Jimmy? Just don't let children watch this.

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Denis B

@DenisB Aug 31, 2026

Great acting all around. I feel like this could have easily been a 3 hour movie.

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Christopher L

@RT61641833 Aug 17, 2026

Johnny Depp is first rate as usual. I know Whitey's brother, Billy, former president of the Mass Senate. The irony is too much, one brother the most powerful politician in the state, the other, a vicious gangster. Story hews closer to the truth than the Departed. Joel Edgerton is very good in it. Depp is scary.

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Zainab M

@RT84753918 Aug 7, 2026

Johnny Depp's performance as James "Whitey" Bulger was impeccably chilling, capturing the ruthless and calculating nature of the notorious crime boss. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Boston, the film vividly depicts the city's criminal underworld, creating a tense and immersive atmosphere throughout.

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Bobby B

@Bobby301 Jun 13, 2026

Great movie. The acting and writing were awesome. Rory Cochran gave a great performance as did Johnny Depp as Whiter Bulger. Menacing.

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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 the 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, Free State Pictures, Warner Bros., Le Grisbi, Cross Creek Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment
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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