White Boy Rick

R16

2018

111 mins

Newcomer Richie Merritt and Matthew McConaughey star in this crime drama based on a true story, helmed by five-time BAFTA-nominated... More

Newcomer Richie Merritt and Matthew McConaughey star in this crime drama based on a true story, helmed by five-time BAFTA-nominated director Yann Demange ('71).

Set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic, White Boy Rick recaps the true-life story of Richard Wershe Jr. who became an undercover informant at the age of 14 before becoming a major dealer until he was arrested at age 17 and sentenced to life in prison.

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Where to watch White Boy Rick

White Boy Rick is available to stream in New Zealand... More now on YouTube and Google TV and Apple TV Store.

There is no screening information for this title.

White Boy Rick | Ratings & Reviews

57_%158 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
50_%1,809 reviews
Audience score rating

"What ultimately happened to Wershe was a scandal, though it's hard to get too worked up when the movie itself is such a jumble."

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Variety

"Mr. Demange can convey mood and feeling with his filmmaking, but he can't turn Rick Jr. into a viable character and neither can the inexpert Mr. Merritt."

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The New York Times

"The issue is not that the film focuses on a white kid, but that it doesn't seem much interested in the black lives hit disproportionately hard by the war on drugs."

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The Guardian

"It doesn't turn into another Goodfellas story of crime and irony, [but] isn't saying much about the Reagan-era War on Drugs that you haven't heard before."

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Rolling Stone

""White Boy Rick" attempts to mine drama from circumstances without succeeding at making any of its characters all that sympathetic."

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IndieWire

"Despite impressive performances by Matthew McConaughey and newcomer Richie Merritt, the film fails to engage or enlighten."

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Hollywood Reporter

"A patchy follow-up to the searing '71 from director Yann Demange, but one which tells a compelling true story and offers a treat of a supporting turn from Matthew McConaughey."

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