Narc

2002 1h 45m EN

👍

6.8

SOLID

★6.8TMDB · 619

CrimeMysteryThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Narcotics Sergeant Nick Tellis, on leave after a trauma, is called back to investigate the murder of fellow undercover operative Michael Calvess, joined by the victim's unpredictable and brutal ex-partner, Henry Oak. Working together in the back alleys of Detroit, Tellis and Oak delve into a dark investigation that leads them to uncover shocking secrets and question the corruption and morality within the department, encountering unorthodox methods and a brutal truth about Calvess's death.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Jason Patric
Det. Sgt. Nick Tellis
Ray Liotta
Det. Lt. Henry Oak
Chi McBride
Cpt. Mitchell Cheevers
Krista Bridges
Audrey Tellis
John Ortiz
Octavio Ruiz
Busta Rhymes
Darnell 'Big D Love' Beery
Richard Chevolleau
Latroy Steeds
Alan van Sprang
Michael Calvess

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Joe Carnahan
Writers: Joe Carnahan
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 24 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Joe Carnahan, shot by Alex Nepomniaschy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Cliff Martinez. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor John Gilroy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jason Patric and Ray Liotta and Chi McBride carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0272207 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Joe Carnahan directs. Alex Nepomniaschy behind the camera. Cliff Martinez scores. John Gilroy cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 24 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
3International production across 3 countries: United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom.
4Directed by Joe Carnahan, shot by Alex Nepomniaschy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Cliff Martinez. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor John Gilroy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jason Patric and Ray Liotta and Chi McBride carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0272207 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 15 themes, including "child abuse", "police brutality", "undercover", "drug addiction".

The technical file

Cinematography: Alex Nepomniaschy
Original score: Cliff Martinez
Editing: John Gilroy
Production design: Greg Beale
Costume design: Gersha Phillips
Sound: Paul Ratajczak
Runtime: 105 min · 1h 45m
Status: Released
Budget: $6,500,000
Box office: $12,633,747
Return: 194% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Narc (2002)

Also by

Joe Carnahan

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

tmdb272194542019-08-02
★ 8/10
Probably the best movie of 2002 that nobody actually saw. A hard-hitting, realistic look at the undercover police world with a bitter taste of the cases that they work. Jason Patric and Ray Liotia play the parts of two Detroit police offers tasked with bringing the killers of a fellow undercover officer to justice. Dark, gritty and overwhelming, Narc doesn't sugarcoat law enforcement but somehow keeps the experience real without turning the opinion of the viewer against the officers, who often bend the rules as far as they can without going over the edge. Excellent drama, along with some very realistic dialog and some top-notch acting brings this title to the forefront of its niche. I guarantee you won't figure out "who done it" until the very end. Definitely not a date night movie, or something to watch while the kids are around, but something perfect for a rainy afternoon flick with the guys.
JPV8522025-08-17
★ 8/10
Really solid and dark gritty crime drama featuring great performances from both Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. Probably a bit overlooked film from Joe Carnahan but I really found it engrossing. This was only my second viewing, last time was the DVD from circa 2003 and finally re-watched thanks to the Arrow Films 4K release. 4.25/5