To Live and Die in L.A.

1985 • 1h 56m •

Crime Thriller Action

MOVIEVIBE Rating

★ 7.1/10

839 reviews

Your Rating

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.

"A federal agent is dead. A killer is loose. And the City of Angels is about to explode."

Top Billed Cast

William L. Petersen

Richard Chance

Willem Dafoe

Rick Masters

John Pankow

John Vukovich

Debra Feuer

Bianca Torres

John Turturro

Carl Cody

Dean Stockwell

Bob Grimes

Darlanne Fluegel

Ruth Lanier

Michael Greene

Jim Hart

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

G griggs79 Verified TMDB Critic

2025-06-23

_To Live and Die in L.A._ is a sharp, cynical thriller where style trumps sentiment. Friedkin pairs bold visuals with a pulsing Tangerine Dream score, driving a fast, morally murky plot. Corruption spreads, rules bend, and no one stays clean. The car chase is a highlight—second only to _The French Connection_. Boldly killing off the lead mid-film, it bridges classic noir and modern thrillers. In this world, survival means faking it better than the rest....