Detroit narcotics cop Nick Tellis (Jason Patric) is recovering from an undercover operation gone wrong. In the hopes of getting a desk job, he agrees to return to active duty as the partner of Detective Henry Oak (Ray Liotta) as Oak looks into the death of his partner, Michael Calvess. The film goes into what it’s like to be a cop, as the decisions often end up with lives ruined — the cops, the criminals and even the bystanders. That’s why Tellis wants to escape this world, unlike Oak, who wants to destroy the dealers who he feels addicted his friend and partner.

Director and writer Joe Carnahan couldn’t get this sold until Ray Liotta found it and became the star and producer. What a loss that would have been if this just faded away. This totally changed the way that I see Patric, as he’s so powerful in this, working against Liotta, one of the best actors of his era. Nothing in this makes me ever want to be a cop, as it feels like being in the end of the world every single day. Even if you save someone, as Oak did with a child prostitute, you have to protect them every day and even cover up their crimes. Nothing ever works out. No one understands. And the next day, it starts again.

What a powerful and bleak film.

The Arrow Video 4K UHD of Narc has a new filmmaker-approved 4K remaster, immersive Atmos audio and hours of previously unreleased on-set interviews and brand-new bonus features, such as an archival feature commentary with director Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy (which is incredible, I watched it with the film and it’s packed with information); a new introduction from Carnahan; interviews with Carnahan, director of photography Alex Nepomniaschy, actor Krista Bridges and costume designer Gersha Phillips; promotional featurettes; press kit interviews with Carnahan, Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Diane Nabatoff, Alex Nepomniaschy and William Friedkin; a trailer and image gallery.

Plus, you get a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh, a double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh and an illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Michelle Kisner, a new interview with producer Diane Nabatoff and archival interviews and articles. You can order it from MVD.