Which Character Lies in City of Lies?

Multiple characters lie in “City of Lies” (2018), but the corrupt LAPD officers and Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight represent the most significant institutional deception. Detective Russell Poole, played by Johnny Depp, is the only character pursuing truth while navigating a system built on lies and cover-ups.

The film investigates the 1997 murder of rapper Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) and exposes a web of corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department.

The LAPD’s Institutional Lies

The central deception in “City of Lies” involves corrupt LAPD officers who allegedly participated in the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. and subsequently covered up their involvement.

Detective Russell Poole uncovers evidence that off-duty police officer Kevin Gaines was on Suge Knight’s payroll and had Bloods gang affiliation. Poole’s superior officer, Lieutenant O’Shea, refuses to give credence to this theory and orders Poole to close the Gaines-Lyga shooting investigation.

The institutional lying extends beyond individual corrupt officers to the department’s upper management. Poole faces pressure from upper management in relation to the media frenzy involving other recent race-related incidents in Los Angeles, namely the beating of Rodney King and the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.

The core institutional lie: The LAPD suppressed evidence and hindered investigations to protect corrupt officers who were allegedly involved in Wallace’s murder. A murder like that only goes unsolved, as Poole states in the film, if the police don’t want to solve it.

Suge Knight and Death Row Records

The film presents Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, as a central figure in a conspiracy involving the murder. Poole’s theory suggests that Knight paid corrupt LAPD officers to murder Wallace and cover it up.

Through flashbacks, Poole reveals his belief that Knight orchestrated the killing as part of the East Coast/West Coast rap rivalry. The connection between Knight and corrupt officers like Kevin Gaines forms a crucial part of the deception network.

The film doesn’t present Knight testifying or defending himself, but rather shows the investigation’s findings about his alleged involvement through Poole’s research and interviews.

Detective Russell Poole: The Truth Seeker

In contrast to the lying characters, Detective Russell Poole stands as the film’s moral center. Played by Johnny Depp in what critics call one of his most restrained performances in years, Poole sacrificed his career and even his family to uncover the truth.

Poole spent years trying to solve his biggest case—the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur—but after two decades, the investigation remains open due to institutional obstruction.

His house, even after he resigned from the force, was a veritable war room replete with all the photos about the murder and possible suspects. Poole is obsessed with the truth, which becomes both his strength and his “sickness,” as he describes it.

The film portrays Poole as a man who worked an honest shift, lacked nuance, and followed orders to the point of insubordination—all characteristics that put him at odds with a corrupt system.

Journalist Jack Jackson’s Journey

Forest Whitaker plays Darius “Jack” Jackson, a journalist desperate to save his reputation and career. While Jackson is a fictional character created for the film, his arc involves his own form of deception and redemption.

Jackson initially wrote an article implicating Christopher Wallace in the murder of Tupac Shakur. He later apologizes to Voletta Wallace (the rapper’s mother) for this article, which she accepts.

In the film’s narrative, Jackson represents how even well-intentioned people can spread falsehoods. His partnership with Poole becomes a journey toward truth, as the two team up and unravel a growing web of institutional corruption and lies.

The Cover-Up Mechanisms

The film reveals several layers of deception used to obstruct the investigation:

Superior officers blocking evidence: Lieutenant O’Shea and other superiors repeatedly shut down Poole’s investigation, refusing to pursue leads that implicate fellow officers.

Career destruction tactics: Poole becomes retired and disgraced despite his honest investigative work, showing how the system punishes truth-tellers rather than liars.

Media manipulation: The LAPD uses media narratives and the backdrop of racial tension in Los Angeles to deflect attention from police corruption.

Legal obstacles: The Gaines family, represented by attorney Johnnie Cochran, files a civil suit, creating legal complexity that further muddles the investigation.

Real-Life Basis and Controversy

The film is based on the non-fiction book “LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implication of Death Row Records’ Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal” by Randall Sullivan.

The movie’s delayed release from 2018 to 2021 sparked speculation. Some claimed the delay was due to lawsuits involving Johnny Depp, while others have suggested the LAPD or others involved in the real case didn’t want the film released.

The closing credits contain the sobering statistic that “More than 50% of African American murders are unsolved,” highlighting systemic issues beyond this individual case.

Voletta Wallace’s Perspective

Voletta Wallace, Christopher Wallace’s mother, plays herself in the film. Her involvement lends authenticity to the narrative and represents the voice of those seeking truth.

She reveals that Wallace’s earning potential was estimated at $1 billion, and that a civil suit would bankrupt the city—providing a potential financial motive for the cover-up.

Wallace expresses gratitude for Poole’s sacrifice in his attempts to solve the murder, validating his decades-long pursuit of justice despite institutional opposition.

The Film’s Conclusion

Poole goes to the L.A. Sheriff’s Department in an attempt to reopen his investigation, but suffers a heart attack and dies some time after. His death represents the ultimate price paid by those who refuse to participate in systemic lies.

Out of guilt, Jackson, using the information he has learned, writes an article about Russell Poole declaring him as a forgotten hero. Jackson’s article is received with acclaim, however, he soon resigns from his job, finding the system too hypocritical to celebrate worthy men like Poole.

The film doesn’t definitively solve the case but presents a compelling argument about who lied and why. The investigation remains officially unsolved nearly 25 years after Wallace’s death.

Critical Reception and Impact

“City of Lies” received mixed reviews, with critics praising the performances of Depp and Whitaker while noting that the film doesn’t offer much new information to the conversation about the case.

Depp’s performance was particularly highlighted as naturalistic and effective—potentially one of his best in years. He portrays a man who has a deep love for his career, despite the pain it’s caused him.

The film succeeds in painting a dark picture of corruption and racial violence within U.S. police departments, even if it struggles to maintain urgency throughout its runtime.

The Systemic Nature of Lying

What makes “City of Lies” particularly relevant is its portrayal of lying not as individual moral failure but as institutional practice. The corrupt officers, their superiors who protected them, and the systems that enabled them all participated in a coordinated deception.

This systemic lying has real consequences: justice denied for victims, communities traumatized by unsolved violence, and the destruction of honest investigators who refuse to participate.

The film compels viewers to think twice about what they know about The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur (who was also killed in the East Coast/West Coast rap beef), and the institutions tasked with solving their murders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the main liar in City of Lies?

There’s no single main liar. The film exposes systemic corruption involving multiple corrupt LAPD officers, their superiors who covered up evidence, and allegedly Suge Knight who orchestrated the murder conspiracy. The institutional lying is more significant than any individual character.

Is Detective Russell Poole a liar in the film?

No. Detective Russell Poole is portrayed as the truth-seeker who sacrificed his career to expose corruption. He represents integrity in a system built on lies and is the film’s moral center.

Did the LAPD really cover up The Notorious B.I.G.’s murder?

The film presents this theory based on real investigative work, but the case remains officially unsolved. The LAPD has never admitted to any cover-up, though the investigation’s failure has been widely criticized.

Is journalist Jack Jackson a real person?

No. Jackson is a fictional composite character created for the film, though he represents real journalists who have investigated the case over the years.

The definitive answer to which character lies in “City of Lies” is that the lying is institutional and systemic, involving corrupt police officers, their superiors who blocked investigations, and potentially Death Row Records executives. Detective Poole stands alone as the character committed to truth, making his story both tragic and heroic.