White Sands (film)

White Sands is a 1992 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Samuel L. Jackson, and M. Emmet Walsh.

The film follows Ray Dolezal (Dafoe), a small-town New Mexico sheriff who stumbles upon a dead man in the White Sands National Monument with a suitcase full of money. Dolezal takes the dead man's place and enters a world of FBI agents, murder, and arms dealing to uncover a conspiracy. He soon finds himself in over his head and struggling to distinguish between allies and enemies.

The screenplay was written by Daniel Pyne. White Sands was filmed primarily in New Mexico, utilizing locations in and around Alamogordo, Santa Fe, and the White Sands National Monument. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics generally praising the performances of the cast but criticizing the convoluted and somewhat illogical plot. While not a major box office success, it has gained a cult following over time, particularly among fans of neo-noir and Willem Dafoe. The film explores themes of identity, corruption, and moral ambiguity.