An obsessive, insubordinate homicide cop is convinced a serial killer is loose in the Hollywood area and disobeys orders in order to catch him.
Acting
James Woods creates an unforgettable monster you can't stop watching.
Writing
James Ellroy's dialogue—poetic, profane, absolutely unhinged.
Direction
Harris builds dread through smog-choked LA emptiness.
Director
James B. Harris
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
James Ellroy hated this adaptation so much he later called it 'a complete fucking disaster'—despite Woods nailing his dialogue.
This bombed in 1988 because audiences wanted Lethal Weapon buddy cops, not sweaty breakdowns. It's found its audience among noir obsessives who prefer their cop movies morally septic.
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