The Departed (2006), directed by Martin Scorsese, is a gritty crime thriller packed with tension, double-crosses, and unforgettable performances. A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, this Boston-set masterpiece won Scorsese his long-awaited Oscar for Best Director.
Think you remember every twist, mole, and bullet from this edge-of-your-seat thriller? Then dive into our 10-question quiz and see if you can sniff out the rat before it’s too late. Only the sharpest minds will survive the deception of The Departed.
The Departed (2006) – Trivia Questions & In-Depth Answers
Here are the correct answers to each question, along with detailed explanations that will deepen your understanding of The Departed (2006):
1) Who directed the film The Departed (2006)?
Correct Answer: Martin Scorsese
The Departed marked a career milestone for Martin Scorsese, earning him his long-awaited Academy Award for Best Director. Known for his masterful crime dramas, Scorsese brought his trademark tension, pacing, and character depth to this remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, making it uniquely American in its tone and setting.
2) Which actor plays the role of undercover cop Billy Costigan?
Correct Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Billy Costigan, a man with a troubled family history who is recruited to infiltrate the Irish mob. DiCaprio delivers a tense, emotionally raw performance that captures the psychological toll of living a double life, making Costigan one of his most complex and compelling roles.
3) What is the profession of Colin Sullivan in the film?
Correct Answer: Police officer working for the mob
Colin Sullivan, played by Matt Damon, is a rising star in the Massachusetts State Police — and also a secret mole working for mob boss Frank Costello. Sullivan’s dual allegiance drives much of the film’s suspense, as he manipulates the system from within while maintaining a spotless public persona.
4) Which criminal figure does Frank Costello represent?
Correct Answer: An Irish-American mob boss
Frank Costello, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, is loosely based on real-life Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. He is a charismatic yet ruthless Irish-American mob leader who controls the streets and the police with equal cunning. Nicholson’s larger-than-life performance adds danger and unpredictability to every scene he appears in.
5) What organization is Billy Costigan secretly working for?
Correct Answer: Massachusetts State Police
Billy Costigan is secretly embedded in Costello’s crew as part of a highly classified operation by the Massachusetts State Police’s Special Investigations Unit. Only a few superiors know his true identity, heightening the tension and stakes of his undercover mission.
6) Which actor plays the role of mob boss Frank Costello?
Correct Answer: Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson brings his signature intensity and devilish charm to the role of Frank Costello. With unpredictable outbursts and philosophical musings, Nicholson crafts a villain who is both terrifying and strangely magnetic — a force of chaos who anchors the film’s criminal world.
7) What is the twist about Colin Sullivan’s character?
Correct Answer: He is a mole planted by the mob
The central twist of the story is that Colin Sullivan is not just a decorated officer, but a longtime mole for Frank Costello, placed in the police force from a young age. This mirror dynamic with Costigan — a cop pretending to be a criminal, and a criminal pretending to be a cop — is the heart of the film’s cat-and-mouse structure.
8) Who discovers the rat within the police department?
Correct Answer: Billy Costigan
Through careful investigation and intuition, Billy Costigan begins to suspect that there’s a mole in the department leaking information to Costello. He uncovers evidence that eventually leads him to Colin Sullivan, setting up the final, fatal confrontations.
9) What happens to Billy Costigan at the end of the film?
Correct Answer: He is killed
In one of the film’s most shocking moments, Billy is shot and killed just after revealing Sullivan’s true identity. His death is sudden and brutal, emphasizing the film’s core message — in a world ruled by deception and corruption, justice doesn’t always prevail.
10) What item is prominently featured in the final scene, symbolizing the theme of betrayal?
Correct Answer: A rat
In the film’s iconic final shot, a rat crawls across the balcony railing outside Sullivan’s apartment, overlooking the Massachusetts State House. It serves as a visual metaphor for the theme of betrayal that runs throughout the film — a not-so-subtle reminder that no one is ever truly clean in this world of lies and cover-ups.
If you nailed this quiz, you’re not just a student of crime cinema — you’re a sharp-eyed operator who knows exactly who’s wearing a wire. Welcome to the inner circle
