Black Mass

Warner Bros. | Release Date: September 18, 2015

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 482 Ratings

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User Reviews

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SirNilesIVOct 14, 2015

This movie is a solid "ehh." Now that's not *bad*, but it's certainly not good, also. I would describe this as a good Netflix Saturday "don't have anything to do" kind of movie. It's a little tedious towards the middle, but so are manyThis movie is a solid "ehh." Now that's not *bad*, but it's certainly not good, also. I would describe this as a good Netflix Saturday "don't have anything to do" kind of movie. It's a little tedious towards the middle, but so are many Netflix movies. The ending certainly ends on a whimper too, we see little of Bulger on the lam, as it were. I mean the guy was a mile from FBI headquarters in LA for 10+ years and nada! What can you do.

Depp is bizarre looking and a total and utter distraction. He should drop all this makeup pretense he uses to cover up for his somnambulant acting, but I digress.

Netflix night only.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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JamesLSep 27, 2015

This movie is a bomb plain and simple. It is uninteresting, boring, flat, and a major disappointment. I do not know how you such a dull film about Whitey Bulger but thy managed to. Depp was nothing special either except he got a few murderThis movie is a bomb plain and simple. It is uninteresting, boring, flat, and a major disappointment. I do not know how you such a dull film about Whitey Bulger but thy managed to. Depp was nothing special either except he got a few murder scenes under his belt. I think the big mistake was making the center of the movie his relationship with the corrupt FBI agent instead of the criminal activities that he carried out. A big time disaster.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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GinaKSep 18, 2015

Although Black Mass has a spectacular performance by Johnny Depp and some very good supporting actors who do their best under the circumstances, this movie is a mess. The plot makes little sense and has some really dull sections (believe itAlthough Black Mass has a spectacular performance by Johnny Depp and some very good supporting actors who do their best under the circumstances, this movie is a mess. The plot makes little sense and has some really dull sections (believe it or not). We couldn’t decide if it was the plot or the direction or the editing – or was someone brought in at the last minute to try to save the film? A lot of acting talent wasted.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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QuelhasOct 10, 2015

Not new. I've seen this. Depp already played this role at least 2 times, with more or less the same story, mafia, police, arrests.... blah blah blah. :/ disappointed.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Gamed2longSep 28, 2015

This movie represents a triumphant return to form for Johnny Depp. He does an amazing job playing the lead "whitey." Unfortunately, for me that's where the positives in this film end. Its a crime movie we've seen before. Goodfellas, theThis movie represents a triumphant return to form for Johnny Depp. He does an amazing job playing the lead "whitey." Unfortunately, for me that's where the positives in this film end. Its a crime movie we've seen before. Goodfellas, the Casino, Godfather, heck the Sopranos. Some of the dialogue, and ideas for scenes are straight borrowed. Not an homage. Benedict Cumberbatch is in the film. His character doesn't really add to it in any way. He's just there. Its a fairly small part. The problem with this film is we are told things like "whitey was never the same after SPOILER OBSCURED died." Sure he was. Portrayal the same. World the same. Despite him "moving up." A bunch of people die in mob related violence. The film lacks a protagonist. And though Johnney Depp's performance is amazing, his character is not a sympathetic anti-hero. Making the whole experience dull, and forgettable.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TrilobiteGOct 6, 2015

Johnny Depp excels in his visceral and looming performance of Jimmy Bulger, but his surrounding environment isn't vibrant or entertainingly dark like a good gangster biopic should be but is instead undoubtedly, as Jimmy would have put it, allJohnny Depp excels in his visceral and looming performance of Jimmy Bulger, but his surrounding environment isn't vibrant or entertainingly dark like a good gangster biopic should be but is instead undoubtedly, as Jimmy would have put it, all over the f*cking place.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Rebecca31Nov 27, 2015

Watch a 2 hour long biopic about notorious crime lord James Bulger alongside a nicely chosen cast for the most part. Entertaining although the pacing is a bit chaotic. It's been quite a long time since I've seen a Johnny Depp film that didn'tWatch a 2 hour long biopic about notorious crime lord James Bulger alongside a nicely chosen cast for the most part. Entertaining although the pacing is a bit chaotic. It's been quite a long time since I've seen a Johnny Depp film that didn't make me want to tear my hair out, and Black Mass has just reminded us that yes Johnny Depp can still give a memorable and watchable performance, although he hasn't given one since 2009 (that's right I checked). Depp really channels his inner Joe Pesci for this intense performance, made all the more psychotic with his blue contacts. Recommended.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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AliceofXOct 6, 2015

Black Mass is at times engaging and throws you in a world of vivid characters. Depp particularly shows that despite the foibles of his past years he is still a great actor. Yet despite those few gems the movie is coated with a deep layer ofBlack Mass is at times engaging and throws you in a world of vivid characters. Depp particularly shows that despite the foibles of his past years he is still a great actor. Yet despite those few gems the movie is coated with a deep layer of mundanity that does nothing but leave you with a sense of emptiness after the movie is done.

Black Mass suffers from a common ailment of Based on True Events films in that real stories do not fit nicely into narratives. That's especially true for films that try to span many years. Black Mass, like many such films, feels rough around the edges like it just doesn't have the time to tell the entire story so it just bites off pieces here and there making the finished work look like Cliff's Notes of a much larger story.

I didn't feel satisfied with what I got in the end. The movie doesn't focus on any one character or at least paint a portrait of the criminal world. To tell the truth I felt rather disappointed after the movie ended because I expected so much more from this film. I do believe it had the potential for greatness.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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AxgrinderSep 18, 2015

Only mildly interesting. I expected Bulger’s life to be fascinating, but it’s more like Joe Pesci’s character in Goodfellas on Lithium.

This gangster story covers little new ground. The movie is conventional storytelling that lacks dramaOnly mildly interesting. I expected Bulger’s life to be fascinating, but it’s more like Joe Pesci’s character in Goodfellas on Lithium.

This gangster story covers little new ground. The movie is conventional storytelling that lacks drama and feels a bit too long as it labors through two decades of Bulger’s life as a criminal who murdered those around him whom he viewed as a potential threat, and then skips over how he went in to hiding and managed to avoid capture for 16 years. Many of the scenes are reminiscent of Goodfellas only much duller. While you might think it would be cool to be a Wiseguy, you’d never want to be a member of the Winter Hill Gang, because their lives are completely devoid of any joy, excitement or anxiety.

J Depp will no doubt receive a Best Actor nomination, but it’s not enough to make me recommend this movie. After a long summer movie drought, this movie was like the promise of rain in the Kalahari Desert, only to see it evaporate before ever touching the ground.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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AxeTSep 20, 2015

Over-rated by stupid herd mentality critics and moron users on here, don't believe any of it. The movie is very well acted. The filmmaking "technically" is very astute and assured. The tone is serious and correct. Depp is amazinglyOver-rated by stupid herd mentality critics and moron users on here, don't believe any of it. The movie is very well acted. The filmmaking "technically" is very astute and assured. The tone is serious and correct. Depp is amazingly transformed and excellent. This all said, it is a sheer near excruciating bore! It is flat, it is lifeless, it is staid, and it is utterly predictable with no surprises whatsoever. You are better off watching a free true crime show on TV.
Put it this way: I give "The Departed" a flat out 10. Best film of 2006 and miles above this thing. "Goodfellas" a 9 or 10 in my book. "Scarface" 9. "Carlito's Way" 10. "Mystic River" 8 or 9. You see above what I give this.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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FM99Dec 30, 2015

Very usual movie, Bad in the narrative, Directed not bad, There are a many things Should depth on it like The Italians for example and the wife !! Johnny Depp Was good

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TyranianApr 7, 2019

Decent visuals but very clichéd and Johnny Depp is in full caricature mode.