White Boy Rick
The story of Richard Wershe Jr., a teenager who became an undercover informant for the police during the 1980s, and was ultimately arrested for drug trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.
Critics Sentiment
Ricky sentenced to life, epilogue reveals 30 year imprisonment
Johnny orders drive by killing Leon Lucas nephew
The film's most dramatic shift occurs from the devastating drive-by shooting of a child (4.8) to Ricky being shot himself and then meeting his daughter (6.0 to 6.8), showing how personal stakes elevated the emotional impact.
White Boy Rick maintains a consistently middle-tier reception throughout most of its runtime, with critics praising individual performances while finding the overall execution uneven. The film peaks with its sobering epilogue about systemic injustice, which reviewers found genuinely moving despite earlier pacing issues. The lowest point comes with the tragic child murder, which critics noted as devastating but part of a rushed narrative structure.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 36
Matthew McConaughey
Richard Wershe Sr.
Richie Merritt
Richard 'Ricky' Wershe Jr.
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Alex Snyder
Bel Powley
Dawn Wershe
RJ Cyler
Rudell Boo Curry
Rory Cochrane
Agent Byrd
Eddie Marsan
Art Derrick
Bruce Dern
Grandpa Roman Wershe
Piper Laurie
Grandma Verna Wershe
Brian Tyree Henry
Detective Jackson
Taylour Paige
Cathy Volsan
Jonathan Majors
Johnny 'Lil Man' Curry
Kyanna Simone Simpson
Brenda Moore
Lawrence Adimora
Tyler
Brad Carter
Bob the Gun Show Dealer
Brian 'Wolfman Black' Bowman
Hanserd crew
Gaynelle W. Sloman
News Reporter
Derrick Gilliam
Mayor Young's Bodyguard
Yassie Hawkes
Actress
Lauren Ashley Berry
Caesar's Ticket Lady
Crew
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