Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- tense
- hard-edged
- crime movie night
- 1990s cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the richly drawn characters, star-studded ensemble, and carefully ratcheted suspense while finding the story overstuffed and less morally complex than its crime-film inspirations.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Garrison is populated and socially shaped by New York City officers who close ranks around corruption allegations.
Sheriff Freddy Heflin begins as an overlooked local officer but becomes central to uncovering the case and protecting the witness.
The police enclave presents itself as a safe haven while officers are implicated with criminals and the mob.
Freddy’s deafness in one ear prevented him from becoming a New York City police officer and leaves him marginalized despite being sheriff.
Films like Cop Land, and why
Serpico
shared police corruption, morally compromised law enforcement, and tense crime drama
Prince of the City
shared ensemble crime thriller structure, institutional corruption, and morally pressured investigators
Narc
shared hard-edged police drama, compromised loyalty, and escalating urban crime suspense
Mystic River
shared small-community crime investigation, brooding atmosphere, and corruption concealed behind civic respectability
Movie Details
- Director
- James Mangold
- Release Date
- 1997-08-15
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1878)
Cast
- Sylvester Stallone
- Harvey Keitel
- Ray Liotta
- Robert De Niro
- Peter Berg
- Janeane Garofalo
- Robert Patrick
- Michael Rapaport
- Annabella Sciorra
- Noah Emmerich
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cop Land about?
- A sidelined small-town sheriff confronts the powerful police enclave that once represented everything he wanted to join.
- What is Cop Land like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cop Land as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cop Land violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cop Land as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cop Land?
- Critics broadly praised the richly drawn characters, star-studded ensemble, and carefully ratcheted suspense while finding the story overstuffed and less morally complex than its crime-film inspirations.
- Which films are like Cop Land?
- Films with a similar feel include Serpico, Prince of the City, Narc, and Mystic River.
- How long is Cop Land?
- Cop Land runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cop Land?
- In United States, Cop Land streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus.
