You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Tubi or Amazon Freevee and you stumble onto a gritty, neon-soaked crime thriller that feels like a throwback to the 90s? That's basically the vibe of Murder City. Released in 2023 as part of the Village Roadshow "Black Noir Cinema" initiative, the film leans heavily on its atmosphere. But let’s be real: a movie like this lives or dies by its leads. If the cast of Murder City didn’t sell the desperation, the whole thing would just be another generic "cop-gone-wrong" story.
It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s got that specific kind of Detroit grime that feels like you can smell the exhaust fumes through the screen. At the center of it all is Neil, a disgraced cop who’s just trying to crawl his way back to some version of a normal life. Mike Colter plays him, and honestly, the man has a presence that just anchors every frame he’s in.
Mike Colter as Neil: More Than Just Muscle
If you recognize Mike Colter, it’s probably from Luke Cage or his role as David Acosta in Evil. He’s got this physical gravity that makes him perfect for "man of few words" roles. In Murder City, he’s playing Neil. Neil isn't a superhero; he’s a guy who messed up big time and served his debt to society, only to realize the world outside doesn’t want him back.
What makes Colter’s performance work here is the restraint. It’s easy to play a "tough guy," but Colter plays a tired guy. You see it in the way he carries his shoulders. He’s a former cop who’s forced to work for a ruthless drug kingpin to pay off his father’s debts. It’s a classic noir trope, but Colter’s chemistry—or lack thereof, intentionally—with the world around him makes it feel personal.
He’s not just punching people. He’s calculating. He’s hurting. He’s trying to protect a family that’s arguably better off without him, and Colter manages to make you root for him despite the trail of bodies he starts leaving behind. It’s a nuanced take on the "one last job" archetype that we’ve seen a thousand times.
The Supporting Players: Who Else Is in the Room?
A lead is only as good as the people trying to ruin his life or save his soul. The cast of Murder City fills out those roles with some veteran character actors who know exactly what kind of movie they are in.
Stephanie Sigman as Ash
You might remember Stephanie Sigman from Spectre or the original Miss Bala. Here, she plays Ash. She’s the catalyst. In many ways, she represents the life Neil is trying to keep together, but the film doesn't treat her as a simple damsel. Sigman brings a certain "I’ve seen it all" sharpness to the role. Her interactions with Colter provide the emotional stakes that prevent the movie from devolving into a pure senseless shootout.
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Antonio Fargas as Graham
This was a casting choice that made film nerds sit up. Antonio Fargas is a legend. We’re talking Huggy Bear from Starsky & Hutch. We’re talking Foxy Brown. In Murder City, he plays Graham, Neil’s father.
Graham is the source of a lot of Neil’s problems. He’s an old-timer who got caught up in things he couldn't handle, and now his son is paying the price. Fargas brings a fragility to the role that contrasts beautifully with Colter’s bulk. It’s a father-son dynamic built on guilt and unspoken history. When Fargas is on screen, the movie feels less like an action flick and more like a tragedy.
The Villain Factor: Robin Givens as Shandi
Every noir needs a powerhouse antagonist, and Robin Givens delivers a performance that is legitimately chilling. She plays Shandi, the local kingpin who basically owns Neil’s life. Givens isn’t playing a cartoon villain. She’s playing a CEO of crime. She’s poised, she’s elegant, and she’s absolutely terrifying because she treats human lives like line items on a spreadsheet.
Seeing Givens and Colter face off is the highlight of the film. It’s a power struggle where the power is completely lopsided, and Givens eats up every scene she’s in.
Why the Casting Choices Matter for "Black Noir"
Director Michael Jai White—who is an action legend himself—chose to stay behind the camera for this one, which was an interesting move. By assembling this specific cast of Murder City, the production team was leaning into the "Black Noir" aesthetic. This isn't just about the color of the actors' skin; it’s about a specific style of filmmaking that highlights urban struggle, systemic pressure, and the moral gray areas of survival.
- James Udom as Mace: Udom provides a necessary friction. As Neil’s former partner, he represents the life Neil lost. Their scenes together aren't just about plot; they are about the betrayal felt when a "brother in arms" falls from grace.
- Rhys Coiro as Manny: Coiro is one of those guys you’ve seen in everything from Entourage to The Walking Dead. He plays Manny with a greasy, desperate energy that makes you want to wash your hands after watching him.
The ensemble works because they don't overplay the "toughness." In a movie called Murder City, there's a risk of everyone becoming a caricature. Instead, the cast keeps it grounded in a way that feels like a 70s crime drama.
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The Detroit Connection: Setting as a Character
While the actors do the heavy lifting, the city itself—or at least the version of Detroit portrayed here—acts as an additional member of the cast of Murder City. The cinematography by Federico Verardi uses a lot of low-light, high-contrast shots. This forces the actors to use their faces more. You see the sweat on Colter’s brow. You see the flickering neon reflecting in Robin Givens' eyes.
The setting provides the "why." Why does Neil do this? Because in this version of the city, there are no other doors open. The cast has to portray people who are trapped, and they do it through small gestures rather than big, loud speeches.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
A lot of critics looked at Murder City and called it "just another B-movie." Honestly? They’re missing the point. It is a B-movie, but it’s a B-movie with an A-list soul. The performance by Mike Colter isn't a "paycheck" performance. He’s genuinely invested in the tragedy of Neil.
People also tend to overlook the smaller roles. For example, Jesse Kove (son of Cobra Kai’s Martin Kove) appears as a cop. These small additions create a world that feels inhabited. It’s not just a set; it feels like a community where everyone knows everyone else’s business, which is exactly what a good noir needs to feel claustrophobic.
Breaking Down the Performances: A Quick Reference
If you're looking for why these specific actors were chosen, look at their backgrounds.
- Mike Colter: Brought the "quiet giant" energy he perfected in Luke Cage.
- Stephanie Sigman: Brought international prestige and a grounded, realistic emotional core.
- Antonio Fargas: Brought the "Old Guard" credibility of the 70s Blaxploitation and Noir eras.
- Robin Givens: Brought a cold, calculated menace that elevated the stakes from a street brawl to a chess match.
Final Take on the Murder City Ensemble
The cast of Murder City is the reason the film works. Without Colter's stoicism or Fargas's vulnerability, it would just be a series of gunfights. Instead, it becomes a story about the weight of legacy and the impossibility of escaping your past.
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It’s not a perfect movie—the pacing can be a bit frantic in the second act—but the performances are rock solid. If you enjoy character-driven crime dramas where the "hero" is barely a hero at all, this cast delivers exactly what you need.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist
If you enjoyed the performances in Murder City, your next logical step is to dive deeper into the "Black Noir Cinema" catalog. Check out As We Know It or The Reading to see how this specific genre of filmmaking is evolving.
Additionally, if Mike Colter’s performance stood out to you, watch the series Evil. It shows a completely different side of his range—less physical, more psychological—but with that same simmering intensity he brings to Neil. For those interested in the history of the genre, go back and watch Antonio Fargas in Across 110th Street. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for the DNA that makes Murder City tick.
Don't just watch the movie for the action. Watch the way these actors use the space. Notice how Robin Givens commands a room without raising her voice. That’s where the real craft is.