For fans of Robert De Niro, it’s worth seeing The Alto Knights (2025) simply for the novelty of his dual performance and to appreciate that he’s still working at a high level this late into his career. But for those hoping for something in the vein of The Godfather Part II, Casino, or even American Gangster, this is a far more subdued and forgettable entry in the genre.
‘The Alto Knights’ Movie Review
The Alto Knights is not the total misfire some critics have claimed, but it’s also not the compelling return to form one might hope for from Barry Levinson and Robert De Niro. While it benefits from moments of craftsmanship and the sheer presence of its legendary lead actor, this period gangster film ultimately lacks the urgency, charisma, and sharpness to stand out in a genre crowded with unforgettable classics.
Levinson, whose filmography includes Rain Man and Good Morning, Vietnam, directs with a steady but uninspired hand. The material—based on the true-life conflict between rival Italian-American mobsters Frank Costello and Vito Genovese—has the potential for drama and intrigue, but The Alto Knights squanders that potential with a sluggish pace and oddly muted tone. The story never really surges. Instead, it simmers at low heat and eventually fizzles, even though the premise is solid: two aging friends-turned-rivals navigating shifting allegiances, legal threats, and the unraveling of old-world criminal empires.
De Niro, at 81, pulls double duty as both Costello and Genovese. It’s a performance worthy of respect, if not exactly one for the ages. Thanks to practical makeup and subtle effects work, the dual roles are visually convincing, and De Niro does enough to make each character distinct in body language and demeanor. But what’s missing (fatally so) is any standout moment. There’s no gripping monologue, no cold-blooded stare-down, no scene that demands attention the way his best gangster roles did in Goodfellas, The Irishman, or Killers of the Flower Moon. He’s fine, but this isn’t a performance that elevates the material.
The script, written by Nicholas Pileggi (best known for Goodfellas), is layered with historical detail and could’ve supported a more energetic movie. But the direction fails to generate momentum. The film feels long—and not in an epic, immersive way, but in a sluggish, shapeless one. Supporting characters drift in and out without leaving much impression. Debra Messing, as Frank’s wife Bobbie, gets a few good moments, but most of the ensemble cast is underused or forgettable. You almost wish Levinson had chosen a different actor to play one of the bosses—just to inject some needed spark and variation.
Despite all this, The Alto Knights isn’t a disaster. It’s competently made and held together by a professional cast and a narrative structure that at least gestures toward thematic weight. The film has the skeleton of something intriguing: power slipping through aging hands, the slow collapse of trust in an empire built on loyalty. But there’s little bite. The tension feels mechanical, the betrayals perfunctory, and the dialogue lacks the crackling menace this genre thrives on.
What ultimately lets the film down is its inability to craft memorable moments. Gangster cinema is built on iconic scenes and quotes you can recall long after the credits roll. The Alto Knights offers none. It’s a passable watch—one you may finish without frustration, but also one you’ll struggle to remember a week later.
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For fans of De Niro, it’s worth seeing simply for the novelty of his dual performance and to appreciate that he’s still working at a high level this late into his career. But for those hoping for something in the vein of The Godfather Part II, Casino, or even American Gangster, this is a far more subdued and forgettable entry in the genre. The Alto Knights is a middle-of-the-road mob tale. It’s not offensive in its mediocrity, but it’s not ambitious enough to rise above it either.
Score: 5/10
The Alto Knights (2025)
- Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci
- Director: Barry Levinson
- Genre: Crime, Drama, History
- Runtime: 122 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: March 21, 2025
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