Black Mass
Black Mass

Black Mass

2015Movie123 minEnglish

The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes73%
Metacritic67
Google Users79%
Director: Scott CooperGenres: Crime, Drama, Biography

Plot Summary

In 1970s South Boston, FBI agent John Connolly convinces Irish mobster James "Whitey" Bulger to become an informant for the FBI, aiming to eliminate a common enemy. Bulger agrees, using his newfound protection to consolidate his power and expand his criminal empire, leading to escalating violence and corruption. As their alliance unravels, Connolly finds himself increasingly compromised, while Bulger's reign of terror intensifies, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Critical Reception

Black Mass received generally positive reviews, with many critics praising Johnny Depp's menacing performance as Whitey Bulger. The film was lauded for its atmospheric depiction of South Boston and its efficient storytelling, though some found the narrative familiar and lacking in depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • Johnny Depp delivers a chilling and transformative performance as Whitey Bulger.
  • The film effectively captures the gritty atmosphere of 1970s South Boston.
  • While well-acted and directed, the narrative treads familiar ground within the crime genre.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's dark tone and Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey Bulger, though some felt the story lacked originality.

Fun Fact

Johnny Depp based his portrayal of Whitey Bulger on the appearance of former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, particularly his look in the band's early days.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Hadam10Rose

Hadam10Rose

Not as bad as Depps other true life stories, but nothing great that you'll want to explore more then once. If you're watching for Cumberbatch, he's barely in it. I get they were using him in the marketing and on talk shows. But the clips sh...
JPV852

JPV852

Second time watching this and honestly outside a couple of scenes, I barely remembered anything. Thought the acting was fine, as was the direction but considering the cast that included Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevi...
John Chard

John Chard

Bulger's playing us, making a fool of the Bureau. We're in too deep, and he knows it! God help us all. Black Mass is the story of Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp), who was the brother of a state senator and the infamous violent leader of Sou...