To Live and Die in L.A.

Name: To Live and Die in L.A.
Director: William Friedkin
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action
Released: 1985-01-01
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: William Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Debra Feuer, John Turturro

1985Dir. William Friedkin1h 56m

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Runtime1h 56m

Released1985

Budget$6M

Box office$17.3M

DirectorWilliam Friedkin

About This Movie

To Live and Die in L.A. has this gritty, relentless vibe that Friedkin nails perfectly. The film's a real study in obsession and moral ambiguity, capturing the reckless edge of law enforcement in the '80s. Willem Dafoe as Eric Masters brings such a chilling charisma; you can’t take your eyes off him. The car chase is notable—real stunts and no CGI, which is a breath of fresh air nowadays. It's got this raw energy, and the synth-heavy score by Wang Chung just amplifies the tension. The pacing is tight, keeping you on your toes without losing depth. It's a movie that lingers, leaving you with a sense of unease and questions about justice.

Released on March 15, 1985Shot on location in Los AngelesPractical effects used for stuntsCinematography by Robby Müller