Carlito's Way

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2:46

Carlito's Way

R

Released Nov 10, 1993

2h 24m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

A free man after years in prison, Carlito Brigante intends to give up his criminal ways, but it's not long before the ex-con is sucked back into the New York City underworld. Reconnecting with his dancer girlfriend, Gail, Carlito gets entangled in the shady dealings of his friend Dave Kleinfeld, who also serves as his lawyer. When Carlito and Kleinfeld run afoul of shifty gangster Benny Blanco, it sets them on a dangerous path.

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Critics Consensus

Carlito's Way reunites De Palma and Pacino for a more wistful take on the crime epic, delivering a stylish thriller with a beating heart beneath its pyrotechnic performances and set pieces.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Dreams can die but nightmares can flourish, an understanding brought about by the disillusionment that every De Palma hero experiences.

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

Michael Sragow

The New Yorker

Penn, in curled hair and wire-rims, makes a brilliant, slippery high-end shyster; his modulated hysteria is amazing. So is Brian De Palma's direction.

Mar 23, 2015

Full Review

Zach Campbell

Slant Magazine

As with so many De Palma films, Carlito's Way soon manifests as an essay on its own forms.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 9, 2006

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

The set pieces are among the most thrilling De Palma has ever filmed, while Pacino's restrained performance as the leather-clad, gently lisping Carlito allows plenty of scope for the supporting cast to chew the scenery.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 2, 2025

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Film Obsessive

Carlito’s Way is a gripping tale of redemption, loyalty, and the struggle to break free from a life of crime.

Jun 28, 2025

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Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

The film proved that the director hadn't lost his touch, despite controversy that he had cast an Italian-American--and not for the first time--as a Latino character. Unsteady accent aside, Pacino's heartfelt performance helped to win over many skeptics

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 18, 2024

Full Review

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Yossam I

Dreams can die but nightmares can flourish, an understanding brought about by the disillusionment that every De Palma hero experiences.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

CMaxCoop D

Brilliant character study of a New York gangster who who just wants to leave the gangster lifestyle.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Jerrod G

Definitely a thrilling movie to watch from the beginning. Great soundtrack and cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

Aviv G

I can see how this one was considered amazing in the 90's. As for nowadays, I personally don't think it stands the test of time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

Movie W

Great style, performances, and writing

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

David F

A cliched crime thriller.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

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Brian De Palma

Director

Al Pacino

Carlito Brigante

Sean Penn

David Kleinfeld

Penelope Ann Miller

Gail

Luis Guzmán

Pachanga

John Leguizamo

Benny Blanco

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Shooting Pool and Wiseguys

2:14

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Shot in the Hospital

2:48

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - You Haven't Changed

2:40

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Cheesecake

2:06

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Getting Whacked

2:02

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Benny Blanco

2:28

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Wearing a Wire

2:50

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Escalator Shootout

2:32

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Killing the Mob Boss

2:34

Carlito's Way: Official Clip - Hunted by the Mob

2:49

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Carlito's Way: Trailer 1

2:46

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Synopsis

A free man after years in prison, Carlito Brigante intends to give up his criminal ways, but it's not long before the ex-con is sucked back into the New York City underworld. Reconnecting with his dancer girlfriend, Gail, Carlito gets entangled in the shady dealings of his friend Dave Kleinfeld, who also serves as his lawyer. When Carlito and Kleinfeld run afoul of shifty gangster Benny Blanco, it sets them on a dangerous path.

Director: Brian De Palma
Producer: Martin Bregman, Michael Scott Bregman, Willi Bär
Screenwriter: Edwin Torres, David Koepp
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Epic Productions, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.5M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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