Summary
- Dirty cop films explore the corruption within police departments and question the role of law enforcement in upholding law and order.
- Some dirty cop movies combine gritty violence with dark comedy, providing an entertaining and engaging viewing experience.
- Films like “The Departed” and “Training Day” are considered classics in the dirty cop genre, with memorable performances and thought-provoking storylines.
Since the inception of cinema, genres have begun to take shape and transform, beginning with the basics like drama, romance, and comedy. With an over-saturated film market, the industry is constantly evolving and inventing new niche genres. As a subgenre of crime films, police films have gained a great deal of popularity over the years, with the buddy cop genre proving popular with films like 21 Jump Street and Ride Along, which left audiences laughing at the jokes and thrilled by the action at the same time. That being said, not all cop films are comedies.
The best art imitates life; what better way to imitate life than to show every aspect of it? Not all police are law-abiding, and, more often than not, there is corruption within every police department. Dirty cop films make up a category all their own, focusing on the corruption within the police department and the attempt to take down said corruption. What happens when those who are supposed to protect and serve lose their moral compass, or if the institution has ever been one about upholding law and order? The dirty cop genre has certainly become more prominent among audiences in recent years as people have begun questioning the role of the cops and calling for dramatic reform. Many films have explored this topic in several unique ways. Here are the best dirty cop movies, ranked.
Update January 17, 2024: Dirty cops are something that sadly has not gone out of fashion, so for anyone looking to watch a movie that explores the dark side of law enforcement, this list has been updated with more titles and where each movie is streaming.
10 Line of Duty (2019)
Line of Duty is one of the more recent films on this list, starring Aaron Eckhart and Courtney Eaton. The film follows Frank Penny, a disgraced police officer who seeks to redeem himself by attempting to save the kidnapped daughter of the police chief. In order to find the little girl, he enlists the help of Ava Brooks, a live-streaming news broadcaster covering Frank’s actions.
A Bloody Redemption Story
The film was met with mixed reviews, with many split on whether the action redeemed the rather forgettable story. For his part, director Steven C. Miller brought an impressive flair to the cop genre, making the movie engaging on a visceral level. Like Street Kings, the action makes Line of Duty an entertaining film for those looking for a beat-em-up, shoot-out-packed experience.
9 Cop Car (2015)
Cop Car
- Release Date
- August 7, 2015
- Director
- Jon Watts
After coming across an abandoned cop car in the woods, two young boys decide to take it for a joyride. However, they are unaware that the car belongs to a corrupt sheriff, Kretzer (Kevin Bacon), who had left the vehicle unattended while disposing of evidence. The film plays out as an extended chase as Kretzer tries to get his vehicle back from the kids to keep his illegal dealings secret.
Kids Steal the Darndest Things
The only comedic entry on our list, Cop Car, is still worthy of your time for those who love true-crime thrillers with a crooked cop angle. While the kids in the film are written obnoxiously, requiring some patience, Kevin Bacon’s character is stone-cold and calculating in a wonderfully sinister way. The movie also runs under 90 minutes, making it a quick indulgence and perfect for a late-night comedy or a casual watch while hanging out with others.
8 Cop Land (1997)
Set in New York City, Cop Land revolves around the cover-up of a racially motivated crime by city cop Ray Donlan’s nephew. When the plan goes south, Internal Affairs officers Moe Tilden and local Sheriff Freddy Heflin get involved, hoping to expose Donlan and his men for their corruption and take them down in the process.
A Career Highlight for Sylvester Stallone
Based on a true story, per Vulture, Cop Land marks the return of Sylvester Stallone to cinema after many years off-screen. Starring alongside big names like Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Harvey Keitel, Stallone’s performance reminded the audience of the star’s talent. In exploring the world of corrupt police, the movie lacks the deeper exploration of morality that makes up the best of the genre. Still, what it lacks in more profound analogies, it makes up for in expertly crafted suspense and standout performances.
gang related
- Release Date
- October 8, 1997
- Director
- Jim Kouf
Also known under the alternative title Criminal Intent, Gang Related revolves around corrupt cops Divinci and Rodriguez, who frame a homeless man for a murder that they were responsible for. Marking Tupac Shakur’s final film, Gang Related, finished shooting two weeks before his death and was released one year later.
Police Corruption at its Grittiest
The film’s unique stance and how it makes the main characters into villains makes Gang Related a truly unique cinematic experience, considering that the devious actions of the crooked cops make them almost impossible to like and even harder for the audience to root for. For fans of Jim Belushi, this is one of the best, if not the best, performances of the actor’s career. Of course, there is much to be said about seeing Tupac on the screen, amplifying the tragedy of the lost talent.
6 Dragged Across Concrete (2019)
Dragged Across Concrete
- Release Date
- March 22, 2019
After being suspended after being caught on camera using excessive force on a suspect, two police officers, Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson) and Anthony Lurasetti (Vince Vaugn) decide to steal the money from a planned heist by a ruthless criminal. Simultaneously, Henry Johns (Tory Kittles), having returned from prison, takes up a job as a driver for the criminal, putting him on the path of a violent showdown with the two cops.
Uncompromising Violence
Director S. Craig Zehler is known for his over-the-top content, with both Bone Tomahawk and Brawl in Cell Block 99 pushing the violence in the Western and prison genres. Dragged Across Concrete is no exception, and the tale of two dirty cops turned criminals has its share of violent and bloody interactions, which will appease those who enjoy more extreme cinema. Additionally, Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn work wonderfully together, making for one of the more memorable police partners committed to film.
Stream Dragged Across Concrete on Netflix
5 Killer Joe (2011)
Killer Joe
- Release Date
- September 10, 2011
Finding himself in financial problems, a young Texan drug dealer, Chris (Emile Hirsch), decides to hire a cop who doubles as a contract killer, Joe (Matthew McConaughey), to eliminate his mother so that he can collect insurance money. Chris offers up his sister Dottie (Juno Temple) as a retainer until the money comes in, who accompanies Joe on his criminal exploits.
Murder is a Family Affair
Iconic filmmaker William Friedkin is no stranger to the crime genre, but Killer Joe marked one of his most notable entries into the genre. This is mainly due to the more quirky turn that resonates similar vibes to Fargo in delivery and a strong lead in Matthew McConaughey as the oddly charismatic Joe. Gaining an NC-17 rating, the movie also pushes boundaries when it comes to violence and adult content, including one particularly brutal instance that combines both. As such, this one is not for the faint of heart, but those who like their dirty cop movies as gritty as possible will appreciate the dark comedic edge of the violence throughout.
Stream Killer Joe on Prime Video
4 The Departed (2006)
The Departed
- Release Date
- October 5, 2006
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Departed, an English remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs, follows Billy Costigan, a Boston cop who goes undercover to get close to the local gangland head Frank Costello. Once Billy becomes part of the gang, career criminal Colin infiltrates the police department and reports Billy’s activities. With a mole on both sides, Billy and Colin are faced with discovering each other’s identities or dealing with the cold hand of death.
Martin Scorsese At His Best
The film was a critical and commercial success, winning several awards, including four Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. The film has made numerous top-ten lists, with many critics considering it one of the best films of 2006. The engaging and gritty drama, backed by a strong cast, makes The Departed one of Scorsese’s best. When many people think of dirty cops, they likely are going to think of The Departed.
3 Prince of the City (1981)
Prince of the City revolves around a New York City narcotics detective, Daniel Ciello (Treat Williams), who agrees to cooperate with a special commission investigating police corruption. However, as he delves deeper into corruption in the force, he is shocked by the extent of abuse. He grows untrustworthy of everyone and finds himself alone in his plight against corruption.
A Good Cop in a Corrupt System
Director Sidney Lumet was a true master of the art form, having made many unforgettable films like 12 Angry Men and Dog Day Afternoon. Moreover, he had visited the theme of dirty cop four times in his career with Serpico, Prince of the City, Q&A, and Night Falls on Manhattan, all of which deserved of mention when discussing the subgenre. 1981’s Prince of the City, coined a “sad, draining masterpiece,” masterfully explores the moral complexities of a corrupt police force with such skill that it stands out among Lumet’s dirty cop movies.
2 Training Day (2001)
Training Day
- Release Date
- October 5, 2001
When veteran cop Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) takes rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) under his wing on Hoyt’s first day in the LAPD narcotics unit, Hoyt soon finds out the realities of the streets as Alonzo’s ways teach him that justice is not always law-abiding. Written by David Ayer, the film would define much of his career as later films of his like End of Watch, Suicide Squad, and Bright would explore the messy morality of heroism and those that are supposed to protect and serve.
A Modern-Day Masterpiece
Considered one of the best cop films of all time, Training Day was both a commercial and a critical success, with special praise for Washington’s performance, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor, while Hawke received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film’s popularity has led to a number of attempts as reboots, and most recently, a prequel, Training Day: Day of the Riot, began production in February 2022. The original film still remains a classic all these later and has set a template for how the police are depicted in media, as sometimes more corrupt than the people they arrest.
Stream Training Day on Netflix
1 Bad Lieutenant (1992)
The neo-noir crime film directed by Abel Ferrara, Bad Lieutenant, follows a corrupt and drug-addicted New York City police lieutenant, LT (Harvey Keitel), who is investigating an assault on a young nun. While trying to seek moral redemption, LT falters as he gives into his vices, including drug abuse, gambling, and harassing women, all of which he gains by abusing his status as a lieutenant.
Cops Don’t Get Much Dirtier Than This
Measuring Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant against other Oscar-winning entries in the list may show that this cult film is not necessarily ‘the best’ movie on the list. However, as far as exploring the dirty cop tropes, the movie has them in abundance. Keitel’s LT is one of the most despicable and irredeemable characters committed to the screen. Abusing his power at every turn, Bad Lieutenant is an easy pick for the best dirty cop movie you will come across. Not to be confused with Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, which is not a related sequel despite drawing many similarities.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
