King of New York

R

Released Sep 28, 1990

1 hr. 44 min.

Crime

Drama

List

70%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A crime lord plots to take control of New York's underground drug economy and distribute the profits to the poor.

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Critics Consensus

King of New York covers familiar narrative ground with impressive style -- and leaves plenty of room for its talented cast to deliver gripping performances.

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Ty H

This is the movie two high-school sophomores would write an hour after they found a stash of pot brownies, two pens, and a notepad. There are no characters, only caricatures. I think Lawrence Fishburn is playing a hyena? Think Boondock Saints … only earlier. And dumber.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Richard G. R

Great performance by Walken. Uber violent Neo-Noir set in the New York City drug world. I didn't dislike it, nor did I really like it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

steve d

There's a lot to like here. Very good performances. Excellent camera work. I really liked a lot of the shots. The story although very well acted was a little underwhelming and simple but still worth watching once.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/09/23

Full Review

Chad G

King of New York is a mesmerizing neo-noir thriller that delves into the dark seedy underbelly of New York City crime. Christopher Walken gives a captivating and psychotic performance as ex-drug lord Frank White, and really steals the show. Laurence Fishburne also gives a great performance as Frank's hitman. Director Abel Ferrara's depiction of the criminal underworld, combined with a fantastic supporting cast, makes for an intense viewing experience. While the pacing is uneven at times and some characters are underdeveloped, the film's raw energy, stylish visuals, and immersive soundtrack make it a must-watch for fans of the crime genre.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Bruno V

Martin e sua excentricidade cinematográfica!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/23

Full Review

M R

Pretty decent and somewhat gritty gangster flick. It wanes at times and there are plenty clichés, but its redeemable qualities outweigh the movie's faults. 80/100 B-

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

Full Review

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Abel Ferrara

Director

Christopher Walken

Frank White

David Caruso

Dennis Gilley

Laurence Fishburne

Jimmy Jump

Victor Argo

Roy Bishop

Wesley Snipes

Thomas Flanigan

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Juan Carlos Coto

Miami Herald

Unfortunately, King of New York can't tear itself from its low-rent heart.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 18, 2021

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Complementing Walken's bravura turn are equally flamboyant performances by David Caruso as the young Irish cop out to destroy Walken, and Larry Fishburne as Walken's slightly crazy aide-de-camp.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

This is the abysmal background of a sort of vomitive cinema. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 2, 2022

Full Review

Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

This is a powerful movie, but it suffers from the flabbiness of excess.

Apr 6, 2022

Full Review

Chris Ward

Flickering Myth

King of New York is an underrated gem that got a bit buried upon its original release.

Nov 16, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A crime lord plots to take control of New York's underground drug economy and distribute the profits to the poor.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, Live Video, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Scena International, The Rank Organization [gb], Reteitalia, Caminito
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.6M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Surround, Stereo

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