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Spenser Confidential

Spenser Confidential is a 2020 American action comedy crime film directed by Peter Berg and released by Netflix.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Spenser Confidential is a 2020 American action comedy crime film directed by Peter Berg and released by Netflix. It stars Mark Wahlberg as ex-cop Spenser, who teams up with his roommate Hawk to investigate a pair of murders in Boston. The film is loosely based on Robert B. Parker’s Spenser character and the novel Wonderland by Ace Atkins.

Plot

Spenser, a former Boston police officer recently released from prison, teams up with his roommate Hawk after two police officers are killed. Their investigation leads them into a wider criminal conspiracy in Boston.

Production

The film was announced in 2018 as an adaptation of Ace Atkins’s 2013 novel Wonderland, which continues the Spenser series created by Robert B. Parker. Peter Berg directed the film, marking his fifth collaboration with Mark Wahlberg.

Cast

The main cast includes Mark Wahlberg as Spenser, Winston Duke as Hawk, Alan Arkin, Iliza Shlesinger, Bokeem Woodbine, Donald Cerrone, Marc Maron, and Austin Post in his first film appearance.

Release and reception

Spenser Confidential was released on Netflix on March 6, 2020, and was met with mixed reviews from critics.

Key facts

  • Released on Netflix on March 6, 2020.
  • Directed by Peter Berg and written by Sean O'Keefe and Brian Helgeland.
  • Mark Wahlberg stars as Spenser, a former police officer recently released from prison.
  • Winston Duke plays Hawk, Spenser’s roommate and investigation partner.
  • The film is loosely based on the Spenser character and Ace Atkins’s novel Wonderland.

Frequently asked questions

What is Spenser Confidential?
Spenser Confidential is a 2020 American action comedy crime film starring Mark Wahlberg as Spenser, an ex-cop investigating a murder conspiracy in Boston.
Who directed Spenser Confidential?
The film was directed by Peter Berg.
Is Spenser Confidential based on a book?
Yes. It is loosely based on Ace Atkins’s novel Wonderland and on the Spenser character created by Robert B. Parker.
When was Spenser Confidential released?
It was released on Netflix on March 6, 2020.
Who plays Hawk in the film?
Winston Duke plays Hawk, Spenser’s roommate and investigation partner.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spenser_Confidential
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release date, genre, basis on Robert B. Parker characters and Ace Atkins novel, mixed reviews, Wahlberg-Berg collaborations
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81005492
    Supports: Official synopsis, release year, rating, starring cast
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spenser_confidential
    Supports: Director, runtime, rating, release date, genre
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8629748/
    Supports: Plot premise and principal cast
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spenser-confidential-movie-review-2020
    Supports: Basis on Robert B. Parker's Wonderland and film premise