City of Lies

City of Lies

Year: 2021

Runtime: 112 min

Language: English

Director: Brad Furman

Echo Score: 70
BiographyDramaMysteryThrillerCrime

A determined detective, Russell Poole, is compelled to reopen his investigation into the murder of Tupac Shakur. Partnering with a journalist known as "Jack" Jackson, he embarks on a relentless search for the truth. Their pursuit exposes a complex network of corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department, revealing dangerous secrets and challenging the integrity of the city's institutions. The pair must navigate a perilous path as they confront powerful forces determined to keep the truth buried.

City of Lies (2021) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at City of Lies (2021) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the restless heart of Los Angeles, a city still echoing with the cultural tremors of the 1990s, a former detective haunted by unfinished business is drawn back into a case that has long been sealed by silence. Russell Poole returns to the precinct not as a badge‑clad officer but as a reluctant truth‑seeker, compelled to revisit the murder that once rattled the music world and the streets alike. The film settles into a gritty, almost noir‑laden atmosphere where rain‑slick avenues and neon‑lit studios frame a metropolis caught between myth and corruption.

Partnering with a tenacious journalist whose byline has made him both respected and reviled, Jack Jackson brings a relentless curiosity and a willingness to push against the walls of institutional denial. Their uneasy alliance forms the narrative’s core, a dynamic tension between Poole’s methodical, seasoned instincts and Jack’s investigative zeal. Together they navigate a labyrinth of police bureaucracy, media frenzy, and hidden alliances, each step pulling back the curtain on a system that prefers shadows to accountability. The tone remains tense yet thoughtful, an investigative thriller that leans on mood as much as on mystery.

As they dig deeper, the city itself becomes a character—its glossy façades masking a tangled web of influence that reaches into the very institutions meant to uphold justice. The film’s style balances gritty realism with moments of reflective quiet, encouraging the audience to feel the weight of secrets that linger in every hallway and courtroom. With every clue uncovered, Poole and Jackson wrestle not only with external obstacles but with their own convictions, questioning what it means to pursue truth in a place where power often dictates narrative. Their journey promises a relentless pursuit of answers, inviting viewers to wonder just how deep the corruption runs and whether the past can finally be laid to rest.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 00:52

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about obsessive investigators like City of Lies

Stories where a relentless individual unravels a dangerous, systemic conspiracy.If you liked the relentless quest for truth in City of Lies, explore other movies where a lone investigator confronts powerful, corrupt systems. These films feature determined protagonists who risk everything to uncover buried secrets, creating tense and morally complex thrillers similar in vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist's dogged investigation into a seemingly isolated event, which gradually exposes a much larger, systemic conspiracy. The story unfolds methodically, revealing layers of deception and resistance from powerful forces, often at great personal cost to the hero.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a focus on the psychological toll of investigating corruption. They feature a similar mood of paranoia and frustration, a steady, investigative pacing, and a dark tone where the pursuit of truth is noble but often leads to isolation and tragic consequences.

Movies about police corruption like City of Lies

Grim narratives exposing how systems designed for justice are fundamentally broken.Fans of City of Lies who appreciate its grim portrayal of LAPD corruption will find similar movies here. These crime dramas and thrillers explore the theme of justice system failure, cover-ups, and the heavy emotional weight of confronting a corrupt establishment.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves exposing a wide-reaching conspiracy protected by the very institution meant to serve justice. The conflict is not against a single villain but an entrenched system, resulting in a story where achieving true justice is impossible, and the ending often feels unresolved or tragically sad.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared dark tone, high intensity, and heavy emotional weight stemming from themes of systemic failure. They create a similar viewing experience of gripping tension and somber disappointment, centered on the idea that the powerful are rarely held accountable.

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City of Lies Summary

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City of Lies Summary

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City of Lies Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in City of Lies

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Characters, Settings & Themes in City of Lies

City of Lies Ending Explained

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City of Lies Ending Explained

More About City of Lies

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