Narc
2002 | 105m | English
Popularity: 6 (history)
| Director: | Joe Carnahan |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Joe Carnahan |
| Staring: |
| 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. | |
| Release Date: | Jan 14, 2002 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Joe Carnahan |
| Writer: | Joe Carnahan |
| Genres: | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Keywords | child abuse, police brutality, undercover, drug addiction, assertion, investigation, cover-up, murder, beating, internal affairs, detroit, michigan, drug overdose, narcotics cop, police shootout, neo-noir |
| Production Companies | Paramount Pictures, Cruise/Wagner Productions, Cutting Edge Entertainment, Lionsgate, Splendid Film, Applecreek Productions, Tiara Blu Films, Julius R. Nasso Productions, Echelon Productions, Emmett/Furla Films |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $12,633,747
Budget: $6,500,000 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 03, 2026 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Anne Openshaw | Kathryn Calvess |
| Tony De Santis | Medical Examiner Art Harlan |
| Lloyd Adams | Walter Dandridge |
| Lina Giornofelice | Jeanine Mueller |
| A.C. Peterson | Freeman Franks |
| Bishop Brigante | Eugene "Deacon" Sheps |
| Stacey Farber | Young Kathryn |
| Paulino Nunes | Officer Ellis Breaves |
| Dan Leis | Elvin Dowd |
| Mallory James Mahoney | Calvess' Daughter |
| Booth Savage | Cecil Mitchum |
| Thomas Patrice | Officer Marcotte |
| Garry Robbins | Biker |
| Lilette Wiens | Strung Out Woman |
| Mauricio Rodas | Strung Out Man |
| Carson Durven | Leonard 'Leo Lee' Leflore |
| Kevin Rushton | Meth Dealer |
| Karen Robinson | Liz Detmer |
| Donna Croce | Oak's Wife |
| Marilo Nunez | Ruiz' Smoldering Squeeze |
| Omar Samuels | Crackhead Junkie |
| Steve Hunt | Porn Shop Dude |
| Paul Puzzella | Street Punk (uncredited) |
| Ken Rudulph | Cop (uncredited) |
| Bradley Sawatzky | Cop (uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Alex Nepomniaschy | Director of Photography |
| Felicia Fasano | Casting |
| Greg Beale | Production Design, Art Direction |
| Jeffrey Butler | Set Decoration |
| Daniel Hank | Production Supervisor |
| Stephen Montgomery | Unit Production Manager |
| Clare Walker | Casting |
| Tony Grazia | Line Producer |
| Paul Ratajczak | Sound Supervisor, Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Joe Carnahan | Director, Screenplay |
| Cliff Martinez | Original Music Composer |
| John Gilroy | Editor |
| Mary Vernieu | Casting |
| Taavo Soodor | Production Design |
| Gersha Phillips | Costume Design |
| Robert Racki | Stunts |
| Danny Lima | Stunts |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Michelle Grace | Producer |
| Julius R. Nasso | Producer |
| Jed Baron | Co-Executive Producer |
| Andy Emilio | Co-Executive Producer |
| Carol Gillson | Co-Executive Producer |
| Michael Z. Gordon | Executive Producer |
| Michael S. Grayson | Co-Executive Producer |
| Brian R. Keathley | Co-Executive Producer |
| Scott G. Stone | Executive Producer |
| Ray Liotta | Producer |
| Peter Block | Executive Producer |
| Randall Emmett | Executive Producer |
| George Furla | Executive Producer |
| Paula Wagner | Executive Producer |
| Jeff G. Waxman | Executive Producer |
| Diane Nabatoff | Producer |
| Tom Cruise | Executive Producer |
| David C. Glasser | Executive Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAG Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Allison Janney | Nominated |
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 19 | 40 | 12 |
| 2024 | 5 | 23 | 52 | 13 |
| 2024 | 6 | 21 | 33 | 12 |
| 2024 | 7 | 18 | 28 | 11 |
| 2024 | 8 | 18 | 31 | 11 |
| 2024 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 11 |
| 2024 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 10 |
| 2024 | 11 | 13 | 23 | 10 |
| 2024 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 8 |
| 2025 | 1 | 16 | 30 | 9 |
| 2025 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2025 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Trending Position
| Year | Month | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 309 | 719 |
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 off ... icer 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.
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**