If you’re eagerly awaiting Stephen Graham’s upcoming appearance in serial killer drama Nocturne and have already worked your way through his well-known shows, we bring you good news. We’ve unearthed a hidden gem called Public Enemies – an exceptional crime drama that sees the Adolescence star taking on his darkest role yet – and, even better, you can watch tonight.
The drama based on a non-fiction book transports us to Depression-era America to follow one of America’s most notorious gangsters, John Dillinger (Jonny Depp). The charismatic bank robber gains notoriety for a string of audacious heists and subsequent jailbreaks. But, as the FBI closes in, his circle of trusted associates begins to shrink and he finds himself turning to ruthless mobsters – including the merciless George ‘Baby Face’ Nelson (Stephen Graham).
With the drama available to stream now, here’s everything you need to know about Public Enemies, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Public Enemies about?
Based on Bryan Burrough’s 2004 non-fiction book, Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave And The Birth Of the FBI, 1933-34, the 2009 film tells the story of the prolific American bank robber John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). But, Dillinger was divisive: for the poor, struggling in the economic crisis, he became a cult-like Robin Hood hero; for law enforcement, he became public enemy number one.
The action begins with Dillinger helping members of his gang escape before fleeing to Chicago, where he falls in love with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard). Meanwhile, FBI agent Melvin Puris (Christian Bale) is tasked with hunting him down as J Edgar Hoover declares war on crime.
Even when he’s imprisoned in Crown Point, Indiana, a jail that’s deemed impenetrable, he manages another escape! When he returns to Chicago, he isn’t awarded the freedom he hoped for. As a high-profile fugitive, his old gang don’t want to draw attention to themselves by associating with him – pushing him towards more extreme characters, including Stephen Graham’s George ‘Baby Face’ Nelson, a volatile and ruthless outlaw, who has a chilling penchant for killing members of law enforcement… The question is, how long can Dillinger keep running?
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Who’s in the cast of Public Enemies?
The cast of Public Enemies includes:
- Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory) as John Dillinger
- Christian Bale (American Psycho) as Melvin Purvis
- Marion Cotillard (Allied) as Billie Frechette
- Billy Crudup (The Morning Show) as J Edgar Hoover
- Stephen Dorff (Old Henry) as Homer Van Meter
- Stephen Lang (Don’t Breathe) as FBI Agent Charles Winstead
- Jason Clarke (The Last Frontier) as John ‘Red’ Hamilton
- Stephen Graham (Save Me, The Irishman, The Virtues) as George ‘Baby Face’ Nelson
- Marion Cotillard (Taxi) as Billie Frechette
Is Public Enemies any good?
Yes – it’s a stylish, tense gangster drama steeped in history, making the unfolding manhunt all the more captivating. With Johnny Depp and Christian Bale leading the cast, the performances are as strong as you’d expect. While Graham might not have the biggest of roles, his bloodthirsty portrayal of ‘Baby Face’ Nelson is nothing short of mesmerising.
Is there a trailer for Public Enemies?
Yes – you can watch the trailer for Public Enemies below.
How can I watch Public Enemies?
Public Enemies is available to watch now on Channel 4.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For a sleek crime drama set in the past, Peaky Blinders fans will adore The Long Firm, which tells the story of Harry Starks (Mark Strong), an unconventional gangster operating in the murky underworld of 1960s London. All episodes of The Long Firm are available to watch now on U. For a chilling crime drama inspired by real-life events, we’d suggest The Vanishing Triangle, which tells the story of journalist Lisa Wallace (India Mullen), who writes an article about her mother’s unsolved murder. After the story is published, the killer strikes again, leading to an intense game of cat-and-mouse. But will she be able to catch him before it’s too late? You can watch The Vanishing Triangle now on Acorn TV via Prime Video.
