Now streaming on Netflix, Public Enemies features a talented A-list cast with a few supporting performers who would later make a name for themselves. Directed by Michael Mann, Public Enemies is a 2009 crime thriller that chronicles a 1930s crime spree led by bank robber John Dillinger. Critics didn't quite praise Public Enemies upon its initial release in 2009, yet the film is arguably one of Mann's most underrated features.
Set in 1933-1934, Public Enemies recreates the most infamous moments of Dillinger's life. The film is mostly historically accurate in depicting the subject's prison escapes and showdowns with the FBI, though many small details are tweaked for economical storytelling. Produced for $100 million, Public Enemies doubled its budget at the box office by raking in over $214 million.
Public Enemies includes a loaded ensemble cast and features three legit superstars in the primary roles who have amassed a combined total of 9 Academy Award nominations with 2 wins. Here's a cast and character guide for Public Enemies, now available to watch on Netflix.
Johnny Depp As John Dillinger
American actor Johnny Depp portrays the infamous bank robber John Dillinger. In pop culture, Depp is perhaps best known for starring as Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. He's a three-time Oscar nominee, thanks to performances in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Neverland, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Christian Bale As Melvin Purvis
English actor Christian Bale co-stars as Melvin Purvis, the FBI Agent who leads the Dillinger investigation. Bale starred as Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy. He's received Oscar nominations for performances in American Hustle, The Big Short, and Vice. Bale won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fighter.
Marion Cotillard As Billie Frechette
French actress Marion Cotillard co-stars as Dillinger's girlfriend, a singer named Billie Frechette. Cotillard portrayed Mal in Inception and won an Oscar for her lead performance in La Vie en Rose. She also earned an Oscar nod for Two Days, One Night.
The Public Enemies Supporting Cast
Billy Crudup as J. Edgar Hoover: Head of the FBI. Billy Crudup is best known for portraying Russell Hammond in Almost Famous and Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen (2009). He recently co-starred as Cory Ellison in The Morning Show.
Stephen Dorff as Homer Van Meter: A Dillinger associate. Stephen Dorff portrays Deacon Frost in Blade and Roland West in True Detective.
Stephen Lang as Charles Winstead: An FBI Agent. Stephen Lang is Colonel Miles Quaritch in Avatar.
Stephen Graham as Baby Face Nelson: A Dillinger associate. Stephen Graham portrays Tommy in Snatch and Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano in The Irishman.
Jason Clarke as Red Hamilton: A Dillinger associate. Jason Clarke is the CIA agent Dan in Zero Dark Thirty, John Connor in Terminator Genisys, and Louis in Pet Sematary.
Leelee Sobieski as Polly Hamilton: Red's wife. Leelee Sobieski received Golden Globe nominations for lead performances in Uprising and Joan of Arc. She also portrayed Venna in Joy Ride.
David Wenham as Harry Pierpont: Dillinger's mentor. David Wenham plays Faramir in The Lord of the Rings franchise and Sir Tiuri The Valiant in the Netflix series The Letter for the King.
Spencer Garrett as Tommy Carroll: A member of the Dillinger gang. Spencer Garrett appears as Allen Kincade in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Sean Hannity in Bombshell.
Giovanni Ribisi as Alvin Karpis: Leader of the Barker–Karpis Gang. Giovanni Ribisi portrays Parker Selfridge in the Avatar franchise and stars as Marius Josipovic a.k.a. Pete Murphy in Sneaky Pete.
Bill Camp as Frank Nitti: Head of the Chicago Outfit. Bill Camp portrays Detective Garrity in Joker and Howard Salomon in The Outsider.
John Ortiz as Phil D'Andrea: A Member of the Chicago Outfit. John Ortiz has a supporting role as Ronnie in Silver Linings Playbook and Felix Iguero in Messiah.
Rory Cochrane as Carter Baum: An FBI Agent. Rory Cochrane portrays Slater in Dazed and Confused and Tim Speedle in CSI: Miami.
Channing Tatum as Pretty Boy Floyd: A bank robber tracked by Purvis. Channing Tatum is best known for starring as the titular character in the Magic Mike franchise and for roles in 21 Jump Street and Foxcatcher.