The Funeral

Play trailer

The Funeral

R

Released Nov 1, 1996

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

At the funeral of murdered Johnny Tempio (Vincent Gallo), his brothers, Chez (Chris Penn) and Ray (Christopher Walken), begin plotting their revenge. Believing rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives (Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra). As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez.

Critics Consensus

Abel Ferrara reunites with Christopher Walken to forge another haunting gangster saga, delivering a bruising exploration of vengeance.

Read Critics Reviews

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Though directed in different style, thematically, this period movie is a companion piece to King of New York and The Bad Lieutenant, forming an urban crime trilogy and representing Ferrara's best work.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 4, 2006

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A psychologically strung-out tale stuffed full of ideas and inspired moments.

Rated: B

May 29, 2006

Full Review

Time Out

A brilliant, very visceral piece of film-making with an infectious strain of morbid humour.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

The Funeral is yet another fresh take on the gangster flick.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 20, 2008

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Anticlimactic and unconvincing.

Rated: D

Apr 9, 2007

Full Review

Josh Ralske

All Movie Guide

Rated: 3/5

Aug 5, 2006

Full Review

Read all reviews

jon c

Three brothers; one led, one died, one followed It's 1939 New York City and three siblings of a gangster family are at a loss They start plotting payback It's believed that rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio Del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez Much of the story unfolds through flashbacks This is a bruising exploration of vengeance and the actors are spot-on with good performances But it's only for big gangster-film enthusiasts The ending is very morbid too

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Does anybody else think Benicio Del Toro could be Brad Pitt's evil brother?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

delysid d

just awful from beginning to end. one of the worst ever, sorry!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/16/21

Full Review

Audience Member

This film has an outstanding cast. Christopher Walken, Vincent Gallo, Chris Penn. Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra, Gretchen Mol, Benecio Del Toro, and an absolutely brilliant performance by the Late Chris Penn, who sadly never got his due respect. This guy could act!!! Definitely a must watch for any movie buff.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Chris Penn's acting is unforgettable in this film he should have won an academy award. Definitely Abel's best work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Although it mostly feels like a minor crime film, featuring familiar themes and less than great direction, "The Funeral" has certain engaging moments and eventually takes a notable turn towards the dark that sets it apart from similar movies. The cast, which includes Christopher Walken and Benicio Del Toro, is pretty good, with Chris Penn standing out in a very powerful performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Abel Ferrara

Director

Christopher Walken

Ray

Chris Penn

Chez

Vincent Gallo

Johnny

Benicio del Toro

Gaspare

Annabella Sciorra

Jean

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

2 Days in the Valley

60%

54%

2 Days in the Valley

Watchlist

Heat

83%

94%

Heat

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Heat

City of Industry

46%

39%

City of Industry

Watchlist

Phoenix

50%

51%

Phoenix

Watchlist

Face

38%

72%

Face

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Benicio Del Toro’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

At the funeral of murdered Johnny Tempio (Vincent Gallo), his brothers, Chez (Chris Penn) and Ray (Christopher Walken), begin plotting their revenge. Believing rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives (Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra). As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Producer: Mary Kane
Screenwriter: Nicholas St. John
Distributor: October Films
Production Co: October Films, MDP Worldwide
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1996, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 7, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround