Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- paranoid
- tense
- true crime night
- crime thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics found the film a compelling and worthwhile true-crime drama whose real-world subject is strengthened by Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker, despite a mixed overall execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Russell Poole's investigation is repeatedly impeded by his superiors as it approaches alleged LAPD misconduct.
The plot connects the murder of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur to an LAPD case and the 1990s music industry.
Poole uncovers increasingly consequential information while authorities try to prevent him from reaching the truth.
The Los Angeles investigation is framed through mounting pressure, hidden networks, and distrust of official explanations.
Films like City of Lies, and why
L.A. Confidential
shared true crime investigation, police corruption, and Los Angeles setting
Zodiac
shared murder investigation, institutional obstruction, and brooding crime thriller atmosphere
Straight Outta Compton
shared police corruption, music-industry violence, and historical true crime subject matter
Movie Details
- Director
- Brad Furman
- Release Date
- 2018-09-06
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (699)
Cast
- Johnny Depp
- Forest Whitaker
- Toby Huss
- Dayton Callie
- Neil Brown Jr.
- Shea Whigham
- Xander Berkeley
- Louis Herthum
- Shamier Anderson
- Laurence Mason
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- 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 City of Lies about?
- An embattled LAPD detective risks his career to expose the corruption surrounding a police killing and two iconic rap murders.
- What is City of Lies like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of City of Lies as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is City of Lies violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in City of Lies as moderate.
- What did critics think of City of Lies?
- Critics found the film a compelling and worthwhile true-crime drama whose real-world subject is strengthened by Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker, despite a mixed overall execution.
- Which films are like City of Lies?
- Films with a similar feel include L.A. Confidential, Zodiac, and Straight Outta Compton.
- How long is City of Lies?
- City of Lies runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch City of Lies?
- In United States, City of Lies streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
