To Live and Die in L.A. (1985): Counterfeiters, Car Chases, and Pure 1980s Neo-Noir

By 1985, director William Friedkin had already changed movie history with The French Connection and The Exorcist, but To Live and Die in L.A. may be his most overlooked achievement. In this episode of The 80s Movie Podcast, we examine the hard-edged crime thriller that turned Los Angeles into a sunbaked maze of corruption, obsession, and moral compromise. Starring William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, the film follows a reckless Secret Service agent whose pursuit of a brilliant counterfeiter slowly erodes every boundary between lawman and criminal.

We discuss what makes To Live and Die in L.A. feel so different from other 1980s action films: Robby Müller’s striking cinematography, Wang Chung’s unforgettable electronic score, Friedkin’s willingness to embrace moral ambiguity, and one of the most jaw-dropping freeway chase sequences ever put on film. The movie has steadily grown in reputation over the years, with critics and fans frequently pointing to its gritty atmosphere, unpredictable storytelling, and uniquely authentic vision of Los Angeles crime.

For many movie fans, To Live and Die in L.A. feels like a hidden gem hiding in plain sight, a film that somehow slipped past mainstream recognition despite its style and influence. Join us as we revisit one of the sharpest crime thrillers of the 1980s, unpack its lasting reputation, and explore why so many viewers now consider it one of Friedkin’s strongest films.

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