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The Departed

The Departed

Drama · Thriller · Crime · 2006

To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.

Movie details

The Departed

“Cops or criminals. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?”

2006 Drama · Thriller · Crime 2h 31m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

8.2 / 10

Community rating

To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Departed?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Hell's Kitchen, New York. Terry Noonan returns home after a ten-year absence. He soon reconnects with Jackie, a childhood friend and member of the Irish mob, and rekindles his love affair with Jackie's sister Kathleen.

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Crime · 2020

A police officer who while responding to a violent hostage call, kills the African American suspect only to later learn of his innocence. Sensing this was a set-up, and facing repercussions, he must track down the person responsible while examining his own accountability and the ingrained racism which brought him to this point.

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Scarface

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Training Day

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Action · 2001

On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop works with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears.

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Lucas, a 14-year-old boy inducted into the gang life in Washington D.C., is determined that his 10-year-old brother won't follow the same path. When an Afghanistan war veteran comes into the neighborhood, an opportunity arises.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Martin Scorsese

Written by

William Monahan

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio

Billy

Matt Damon

Matt Damon

Colin

Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson

Costello

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg

Dignam

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen

Queenan

Ray Winstone

Ray Winstone

Mr. French

Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga

Madolyn

Court is in session

Put The Departed on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.