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Entertainment • Film

White Boy Rick

White Boy Rick is a 2018 American crime drama film directed by Yann Demange.

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

White Boy Rick is a 2018 American crime drama film directed by Yann Demange. It is loosely based on the life of Richard Wershe Jr., a Detroit teenager who became an FBI informant in the 1980s and later became involved in drug trafficking. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018, and was released in U.S. theatres on September 14, 2018.

Plot and source material

The film dramatizes the life of Richard Wershe Jr., also known as White Boy Rick, focusing on his involvement with law enforcement and later drug trafficking. It draws loosely on real events from his life in 1980s Detroit.

Cast

The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory Cochrane, RJ Cyler, Jonathan Majors, Eddie Marsan, Bruce Dern, and Piper Laurie. Richie Merritt made his film debut as Richard Wershe Jr., and Matthew McConaughey played his father, Richard Wershe Sr. Piper Laurie appeared in the film in her final screen role.

Release

White Boy Rick premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018, and was released in U.S. theatres on September 14, 2018.

Reception and classification

The film is listed as a crime drama and biographical film. Major catalogue listings describe it as an R-rated drama with themes involving drug content, violence, and language.

Key facts

  • White Boy Rick is a 2018 American crime drama film directed by Yann Demange.
  • It is loosely based on the true story of Richard Wershe Jr., who became an FBI informant at age 14.
  • The film stars Richie Merritt in his film debut as Richard Wershe Jr. and Matthew McConaughey as his father.
  • The story is set in 1980s Detroit during the crack epidemic and the War on Drugs.
  • Piper Laurie appeared in the film in her final screen role.
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Canadian context

The film had international home-media and streaming availability, making it accessible to Canadian audiences, but it is not specifically centred on Canadian settings or events.

Frequently asked questions

What is White Boy Rick about?
It is a crime drama about Richard Wershe Jr., a Detroit teenager who became an FBI informant in the 1980s and later became involved in drug trafficking.
Is White Boy Rick based on a true story?
Yes. It is loosely based on the life of Richard Wershe Jr.
Who directed White Boy Rick?
Yann Demange directed the film.
Who plays White Boy Rick?
Richie Merritt plays Richard Wershe Jr. in his film debut.
When was White Boy Rick released?
It premiered on August 31, 2018, and was released in the United States on September 14, 2018.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Boy_Rick
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, premiere date, U.S. release date, and source material.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/white_boy_rick
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, rating, director, and theatrical release date.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4537896/
    Supports: Plot premise, release date, and cast information.
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/dec/07/white-boy-rick-review-teenage-hustler-matthew-mcconaughey
    Supports: True-story background and characterization of Richard Wershe Jr.
  5. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/fi/movie/white-boy-rick/umc.cmc.5ptdv9ly32rhcjiydj9m4o4uk
    Supports: Runtime, cast, director, and plot description.