Our take
The Alto Knights is an R-rated crime drama with Robert De Niro playing rival mob bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Expect frequent f-words, shootings with bloody detail, acid attack, strangulation, and photos of crime-scene corpses. Social drinking and smoking appear throughout
Uplifting themes
Historical cautionary tone, but crime lifestyle dominates
AMU ages are independent editorial opinions. They are not legal classifications and are not issued by the Classification Board, the MPAA, or any other official classification body. Official labels on this site, such as PG or R, come from those bodies or our data sources, not from AMU. AMU guides are not a substitute for official classification. Cuts and details can differ by version. Use them as one input only. You decide what is right for your family.
Story (may spoil tone)
Two of New York's most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vie for control of the city's streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.
Details
Violence Shootings, beatings, acid attack, and crime-scene imagery with blood
Shootings, beatings, acid attack, and crime-scene imagery with blood
Language Pervasive strong language typical of mob dramas
Pervasive strong language typical of mob dramas
Sex / nudity No sex found in this title
No sex found in this title
Drugs / alcohol Smoking, drinking, and drug-trafficking references
Smoking, drinking, and drug-trafficking references
Frightening Betrayal and gang intimidation create sustained tension
Betrayal and gang intimidation create sustained tension
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Bloody shootings and graphic injury detail
Bloody shootings and graphic injury detail
Dangerous behaviour Gang loyalty and retaliation are glamorized
Gang loyalty and retaliation are glamorized
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Loss within crime families is referenced
Loss within crime families is referenced
Talk after watching
- Why do films revisit real mob history decades later?
- Friendship turning to betrayal is painful. How do trust and power interact?
- Organized crime hurts communities. What does the film show about that cost?