The True Story Behind Johnny Depp’s Black Mass: Facts and Explanation

Released in September 2015 and directed by Scott Cooper, Black Mass is a gripping crime drama that is definitely worth a watch.

According to Netflix, the synopsis of Black Mass states:

“This drama recounts the real-life story of Whitey Bulger, the infamous gangster who made a deal with the feds and eluded arrest for years.”

Johnny Depp delivers a standout performance as the notorious gangster Whitey Bulger in Black Mass. The film is inspired by the true story of the legendary mobster and highlights his complex relationship with FBI agent John Connolly, as Bulger secretly operated as an FBI informant.

Who was the real Whitey Bulger depicted in Black Mass?

A still from the 2015 biographical film (Image via Instagram/@Blackmassmovie)

Black Mass portrays the life of the notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger, a leading figure in organized crime from the 1970s to the 1990s. He was on the FBI’s most-wanted list for several years, only second to 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden for a period of time.

Bulger became the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in South Boston in 1979. A few years before, around 1975, he turned into an FBI informant, working closely with Agent John Connolly. Despite their oppositional roles, the two men had grown up in the same South Boston neighborhood, leading to a close bond during their agent-informant dynamic.

Bulger exercised greater influence in their relationship, manipulating Connolly to overlook his crimes. The corrupt agent frequently tipped off Bulger about investigations into his gang and ignored numerous murders committed by the Winter Hill Gang, even falsifying records to protect him.

After nearly being arrested in December 1994, Bulger managed to evade capture due to Connolly’s warnings. He lived as a fugitive for two decades, ultimately being arrested on June 22, 2011, in Santa Monica, California. During his trial, Bulger was convicted on 31 criminal counts, including 11 murders, leading to two consecutive life sentences plus five years.

Following his incarceration, Bulger was killed by fellow inmates at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in northern West Virginia on October 30, 2018, at the age of 89.

Black Mass plot summary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_F-lVhSfx8

Black Mass – Official Main Trailer [HD] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_F-lVhSfx8)

Black Mass chronicles Whitey Bulger’s life as the leader of the Winter Hill Gang. To consolidate his power, he became an FBI informant, assisting the federal authorities in taking down his competitors, the Angiulo Brothers. In exchange, his childhood acquaintance and FBI handler, John Connolly, shielded him from legal repercussions and helped conceal his crimes for years.

The film garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with special praise directed towards Johnny Depp’s compelling performance. Almost a decade later, Black Mass was added to Netflix’s lineup on September 12, 2024. The crime thriller quickly ascended to Netflix’s Top 10 list, reaching #4 by September 16, 2024, shortly after its debut.