The Alto Knights (2025)
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A weary mob boss attempts to retire but finds himself entangled in a deadly game of suspicion and survival with a ruthless rival.
The story
After a failed assassination attempt orchestrated by his ambitious underboss, Vito Genovese, Luciano family boss Frank Costello finds himself at a crossroads. Weary of the constant bloodshed and betrayals that define his life, Costello informs Genovese of his intention to retire and cede control of the Luciano family. However, Genovese, a man consumed by ambition and paranoia, refuses to believe Costello's intentions, suspecting a ruse. The poisoned well of distrust between them spills over, igniting a silent, deadly war. Genovese's suspicion curdles into outright aggression when he orchestrates the brutal murder of Albert Anastasia, Costello's chosen successor, forcing Costello to confront a terrifying reality where his life and his wife's safety are at risk.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following a failed hit, Frank Costello decides to retire, but his ambitious underboss, Vito Genovese, suspects a trap and reacts with violence by murdering Costello's successor, Albert Anastasia. Realizing he is being targeted by a paranoid Genovese, Costello decides to avoid a direct, bloody confrontation that would alert the mob's enemies. Instead, he orchestrates a subtle plan to have Genovese arrested by law enforcement. Costello facilitates this by tipping off authorities about a clandestine meeting in Apalachin, New York. During the meeting, Costello feigns a leisurely trip, making several stops to appear innocent while the police raid the gathering. The raid leads to the conviction of many mobsters and ultimately results in Genovese's downfall years later. Costello successfully achieves a peaceful retirement and dies of old age.
- Original title
- Wise Guys
- First release year
- 2025
- Runtime (minutes)
- 123
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Barry Levinson
- Writers
- Nicholas Pileggi · writer
- Cast and characters
- Robert De Niro · Frank Costello, Vito Genovese; Debra Messing · Bobbie Costello; Cosmo Jarvis · Vincent Gigante; Kathrine Narducci · Anna Genovese; Michael Rispoli · Albert Anastasia
- Genres
- biographical; crime; drama
- Themes
- ambition; paranoia; betrayal; survival
- Tone and mood
- tense; serious
- Premise and plot tags
- mafia; dual role; biographical
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on actual events
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who noted its less-than-glamorous tone and lengthy runtime, while audiences gave it a 'B' grade.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 47 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled Wise Guys.; The title refers to an actual Mafia social club.; The production used vehicle vinyl wraps to make 1950s cars look new.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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