The Netflix ’90s Crime Thriller Is Leaving Streaming, Watch This Secret Classic

Written and directed by James Mangold—who would later earn fame for movies like Walk the Line and Logan—the film is set in Garrison, New Jersey, a small town perched across the Hudson River from New York City. A haven for NYPD officers, Garrison is understandably dubbed “cop land.” 

The narration centers around Freddy Heflin, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, Garrison’s partially deaf sheriff. Heflin has always idolized the NYPD cops he serves—but his admiration is challenged when he uncovers deeply embedded corruption within the force. Fans might not know that Stallone gained 40 pounds for the role. Quite a departure from his more familiar, action-hero persona embodied in the Rocky and Rambo franchises, Stalone’s performance in the film constitutes a more subdued—and complex—demonstration of his perhaps unexpected range. The actor is often overlooked due to his reputation for action roles; it’s too bad, because his depiction of a conflicted person grappling with the moral dilemma of confronting his heroes deserves respect. As does Cop Land’s heavyweight cast, a true ensemble.

It includes household-name actors like Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Ray Liotta, each contributing compelling performances. Keitel portrays Ray Donlan, a corrupt NYPD officer who has effectively seized control of the small Jersey Town. Liotta and De Niro play Gary “Figgsy” Figgis and Lt. Moe Tilden, respectively, two officers with starkly contrasting perspectives on corruption in their ranks. 

Holistically, the film’s portrayal of the blurred lines between right and wrong help set it apart. Refusing to depict clear divisions between heroes and villains, the movie instead explores the complexities that complicate its character’s moral compasses. Cop Land’s dynamic, nuanced tack makes for a thought-provoking meditation on corruption and integrity. Mangold’s tight and focused direction develops tension effectively throughout the narrative. Similarly, the cinematography nails the gritty, tense atmosphere characterizing New York City and suburban Garrison, enriching the film’s overall mood. 

These strengths aside, the film was not a record-breaking box office success upon release, though it still earned a profit. Indeed, other blockbuster movies of the late 90s overshadowed it, especially given the movie’s’ subdued, character-driven approach, which probably failed to resonate with audiences expecting the typical Stallone action movie.Technically, however, Cop Land enjoyed a record opening of $13.5 million for its production studio, Miramax (a newish company at the time). The movie would go on to gross $44.9 million in the United States and Canada and $63.7 million worldwide—meaning almost $50 million in profits, certainly not chump change. 

Critically, the film enjoys a solid 75 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 67 reviews) or an average rating of 6.5/10. Critics admired the film’s suspense, complex character development, and screenplay yet noted the movie was overly ambitious. Generally, experts lauded Stallone, whose subdued, nuanced work defied expectations. However, Rita Kimpley of The Washington Post notably panned Cop Land’s pacing. 

Interestingly, Mangold based Garrison in his hometown of Washingtonville, New York, about 60 miles outside NYC. Many of the residents of Worley Heights, the housing development Mangold grew up in, were working and retired NYPD police officers.The film’s supporting cast also amounts to a whose-who of NYC area film, theatre, and culture from the 90s. For example, New York native and comedienne Janeane Garofalo, playing Deputy Sheriff Cindy Betts, features heavily, as does Michael Rapaport. Also, look out for Edie Falco—perhaps better known as Carmella Soprano—as well as Method Man; there’s even a fantastic cameo from Blondie herself, Debbie Harry. 

Before Cop Land waves goodbye to Netflix, take the opportunity to discover this hidden gem, a movie responsible for a sizable impact on the crime genre and offering a compelling exploration of moral ambiguity in law enforcement, a theme as relevant today as ever. Ultimately, the film constitutes much more than a throwback crime filler; it is a narrative challenging audiences to confront the natural complexities roiling our concepts of heroism and justice. The movie’s ensemble cast serves up an abundance of powerful performances, each anchored in realism and authenticity—none, perhaps more than Stallone’s, which has to be seen to be believed. Don’t miss Cop Land, on Netflix now (but not for long).