The Departed (2006)
Kernel Score: 96% · 15,945 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: 2006-10-04
Runtime: 151 minutes
Is The Departed worth watching?
Must-watch. A taut cat-and-mouse crime thriller about two moles on opposite sides, one in the police and one in the mob. It has sharp dialogue, a great cast and a nerve-racking pace.
Watch it if you
- like crime thrillers with a high body count and sharp dialogue
- enjoy a double-agent premise
- want a star-heavy ensemble
Skip it if you
- dislike strong language and violence
- want a light evening
Best for: Crime-thriller night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Departed
- Stream: YouTube TV, HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
The Departed parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Departed is an R-rated crime thriller with intense violence, strong language, and organized crime themes.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Graphic mob and police violence runs throughout this crime drama.
- Language: Intense — R-rated crime drama known for pervasive strong profanity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Departed
If you liked The Departed, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Gone Baby Gone (2007) — 82%: Boston crime drama with moral tangles
- GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Scorsese's classic of crime and loyalty
- Donnie Brasco (1997) — 84%: Undercover cop slowly losing himself in the mob
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — 95%: Scorsese energy and brilliant performances
- L.A. Confidential (1997) — 89%: Corruption and double lives in a smart crime story
- Infernal Affairs II (2003) — 80%: Direct prequel to the original that inspired this
Director
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy
- Matt Damon as Colin
- Jack Nicholson as Costello
- Mark Wahlberg as Dignam
- Martin Sheen as Queenan
- Ray Winstone as Mr. French
- Vera Farmiga as Madolyn
- Anthony Anderson as Brown
- Alec Baldwin as Ellerby
- Kevin Corrigan as Cousin Sean
The Departed FAQ
Is The Departed worth watching?
Must-watch. A taut cat-and-mouse crime thriller about two moles on opposite sides, one in the police and one in the mob. It has sharp dialogue, a great cast and a nerve-racking pace.
Where can I watch The Departed?
In the US you can stream The Departed on YouTube TV and HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Departed OK for kids?
The Departed is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Departed is an R-rated crime thriller with intense violence, strong language, and organized crime themes.
What movies are like The Departed?
If you liked The Departed, try Gone Baby Gone, GoodFellas, Donnie Brasco and The Wolf of Wall Street.