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Entertainment • Film

City of Lies

City of Lies is a crime thriller film directed by Brad Furman and released in 2018, with a wider U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

City of Lies is a 2018 crime thriller film directed by Brad Furman, based on Randall Sullivan's non-fiction book LAbyrinth. The film focuses on investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. It stars Johnny Depp as retired LAPD detective Russell Poole and Forest Whitaker as journalist Jack Jackson.

Plot premise

The film follows a former LAPD detective and a journalist as they revisit the unsolved murders of two major hip-hop figures. Their investigation leads them into allegations of corruption and institutional cover-up.

Production and release

City of Lies was directed by Brad Furman and written by Christian Contreras, adapting Randall Sullivan's book LAbyrinth. Although completed in 2018, it received a wider theatrical release in 2021.

Cast

The principal cast includes Johnny Depp as Russell Poole and Forest Whitaker as Jack Jackson. Other credited cast members include Rockmond Dunbar, Neil Brown Jr., Toby Huss, and Dayton Callie.

Source material

The film is based on LAbyrinth, a non-fiction book by Randall Sullivan about the investigations into the killings of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. The film uses that material to frame a dramatized account of the case.

Key facts

  • The film centers on retired LAPD detective Russell Poole and journalist Jack Jackson.
  • Its story draws on the investigations surrounding the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
  • Johnny Depp plays Russell Poole, and Forest Whitaker plays Jack Jackson.
  • The screenplay is by Christian Contreras and is based on Randall Sullivan’s non-fiction book LAbyrinth.
  • The film has been described as a crime thriller, police procedural, and true-crime drama.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may know the film through international streaming and television releases, and through broader interest in true-crime films and hip-hop history.

Frequently asked questions

What is City of Lies about?
It is about renewed investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., following a retired detective and a journalist.
Who directed City of Lies?
Brad Furman directed the film.
What book is City of Lies based on?
It is based on LAbyrinth by Randall Sullivan.
Who stars in City of Lies?
Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker are the lead actors.
When was City of Lies released?
It premiered in 2018 and received a wider U.S. release in 2021.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Lies
    Supports: Directed by Brad Furman; screenplay by Christian Contreras; based on LAbyrinth; stars Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker; 2018 film about investigations into Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. murders.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/city_of_lies
    Supports: Synopsis, source material, cast, genre, and release information.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2677722/
    Supports: Runtime, genre classifications, and premise.
  4. Google Play Movies — https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/City_of_Lies?id=c0b9dzNxcHE.P&hl=en_US
    Supports: Plot synopsis describing Russell Poole and Jack Jackson investigating the murders.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/city-of-lies
    Supports: Release timing, director, cast, MPAA rating, and plot description.