← Back to results
King of New York
1990 103 min Italy R 18+
★6.9
Thriller, Crime
Director: Abel Ferrara
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood.
Budget:
$5.3M
US Gross:
$2.55M
Worldwide:
$2.55M
Starring
Christopher Walken
Actor
David Caruso
Actor
Laurence Fishburne
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
King of New York is widely regarded as a stylized, visceral crime drama that serves as a cornerstone of Abel Ferrara's gritty filmography. While its atmosphere and Christopher Walken's commanding performance earn significant acclaim, the film's narrative structure and character development divide opinion among viewers.
| Acting | Christopher Walken delivers an iconic, charismatic performance that serves as the film's central anchor and greatest strength. | |
| Production | Abel Ferrara masterfully crafts a dark, visually arresting, and authentic portrait of New York City that captures the city's unique nocturnal atmosphere. | |
| Acting | The supporting cast, featuring early career performances from Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, and Steve Buscemi, provides a compelling and high-energy dynamic. | |
| Theme | The film's tone is stark and humorless, presenting a grim, uncompromising look at crime that avoids traditional moral romanticism. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are split: some praise the brutal, fable-like narrative, while others find it disjointed, lacking depth, and filled with absurd character motivations. |