Copperhead: Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Momoa in a New Conspiracy Thriller
An "Andor" star is also on board
Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Momoa have found their next project! As reported by the industry magazine Deadline, the two actors will star alongside Miles Teller in the conspiracy thriller "Copperhead". They'll also be joined by "Andor" star Adria Arjona and Tenoch Huerta. Details about the characters, however, are still under wraps.
"Copperhead" centers on a young federal agent who, together with an experienced detective, becomes entangled in an extremely dangerous case. The story begins with an undercover drug deal that escalates and turns violent. In the process, the two investigators discover that not everything within the police department seems to be above board.
John Swab is directing the film. The filmmaker made a name for himself particularly with his thriller "King Ivory" and received an award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024. A release date has not yet been announced.
Police Corruption: Six Films About Corrupt Cops and Dirty Power Games
Police officers are supposed to uphold law and order, but what happens when the very people who are supposed to protect the law become its greatest enemies? Corruption within the police force is a popular theme in cinema and provides material for gritty crime films, dark thrillers, and socially critical dramas. These stories often revolve around the abuse of power, loyalty, and the question of how far an individual can go when an entire system is working against them.
If you're looking for movies about corrupt cops and moral gray areas, you'll find some outstanding examples. These six films show, in very different ways, just how dangerous a police force can become when personal interests, money, and power take precedence over justice.
L.A. Confidential: Corruption in 1950s Hollywood
Curtis Hanson's "L.A. Confidential" is one of the great modern classics of the police film genre. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey play three detectives who could hardly be more different. While investigating a brutal murder case, they uncover a web of corruption, police brutality, and political connections.
What makes the film particularly compelling is that it doesn't simply draw a line between good and bad cops. Instead, it depicts a police force in which many characters operate by their own rules. Behind the glamorous facade of 1950s Los Angeles lies a world full of intrigue.
Training Day: When the Cop Himself Becomes a Criminal
One of the most famous films about police corruption is "Training Day" by Antoine Fuqua. Denzel Washington plays the experienced Detective Alonzo Harris, who guides the young police officer Jake Hoyt – played by Ethan Hawke – through a seemingly normal workday. It quickly becomes clear that Harris abuses his position and has established his own rules. Drugs, bribery, and violence are part of his everyday life. The film thus also serves as a moral descent: Jake must decide whether to submit to his partner's system or stand up against it.
Serpico: One Man Against the System
Sidney Lumet's "Serpico" tells a much more realistic story. Al Pacino plays New York City police officer Frank Serpico, who refuses to accept bribes and corrupt practices within his department. The harder Serpico tries to expose the corruption, the more he becomes an outsider himself. The film powerfully illustrates the consequences that can arise when a single individual takes on a firmly established system. "Serpico" is based on true events and ranks among Pacino's most significant roles.
The Departed: Betrayal on Both Sides
Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" expands on the theme of corruption by adding a cat-and-mouse game. Leonardo DiCaprio works as an undercover cop within the Irish mob, while Matt Damon's character, Colin Sullivan, infiltrates the opposing side as a mole. As a result, the lines between the police and organized crime become increasingly blurred. No one knows who to trust. This star-studded thriller combines police corruption with betrayal, a loss of identity, and brutal violence.
Bad Lieutenant: The Moral Downfall
If you're into particularly dark fare, you should check out Abel Ferrara's "Bad Lieutenant". Harvey Keitel plays an unnamed New York City police officer who is himself deeply embroiled in crime, drugs, and gambling. The film is less a classic crime thriller than a relentless character study. It centers on the complete moral collapse of a man who repeatedly abuses his position of power for personal gain.
End of Watch: Corruption as Part of a Dangerous World
David Ayer's "End of Watch" focuses on two Los Angeles police officers, played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña. While the film doesn't deal exclusively with police corruption, it delves deeply into the difficult boundaries between law enforcement, crime, and personal loyalty. Through its documentary-style direction, "End of Watch" conveys a particularly immediate impression of the two cops' everyday lives. At the same time, it becomes clear just how dangerous things can get when organized crime and police work collide.
Movies That Question an Entire System
Whether it's a classic noir thriller, a character-driven drama, or a modern cop movie: stories about corrupt police officers work so well because they pose a fundamental question. What happens when the people who are supposed to enforce the law decide for themselves that they are above the law?
Movies like "Training Day", "Serpico", or "L.A. Confidential" showcase completely different facets of the same problem. Some tell the story of an individual's struggle against a corrupt system, while others explore how easily power can change a person. It is precisely these moral gray areas that continue to make police films about corruption a particularly gripping genre to this day.