The new film Black Mass is giving star Johnny Depp his best critical reviews in years.

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Depp stars as notorious criminal Whitey Bulger in Black Mass, which debuted Friday at the Venice Film Festival to rave reviews. The Bulger biopic is being considered a return to form for Depp, whose latest projects have resulted in far more misses than hits (Mortdecai, Transcendence, The Lone Ranger).

Variety praised Depp's performance in the film, calling it "career-best work" that recalls "his early Tim Burton collaborations and 'Dead Man,' knowing he is so deep inside the role that, whatever he does, we will come to him."

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Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter said this return to form was "very welcome", adding, "He's as charismatic as his character must be, fully convincing and frightening as his Bulger toys with friends and enemies alike to keep them guessing, hides his true intentions and dishes out punishment at an alarming rate."

Depp's appearance in the film is a big departure from what fans are used to as well, wearing colored contacts, receding gray hair and latex.

Perhaps an Oscar nomination is in Depp's near future? Only time will tell.

Black Mass centers on Bulger's early crime life and his work as an informant to the FBI. Other stars include Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Corey Stoll, Juno Temple, Adam Scott, Jesse Plemons and Kevin Bacon.

Black Mass is set to be released in theaters on Friday, Sept. 18.

Watch the trailer for Black Mass below:

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Movies, Johnny Depp