“The Alto Knights” Just Bites …

“The Alto Knights” Plot: Two of New York City’s most notorious organized crime bosses Frank Costello & Vito Genovese (both portrayed by Robert DeNiro) vie for control of the City’s streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies, & a series of betrayals set them on a deadly collision course. This film is based on TRUE events!

Report Card Grade & Review

The Alto Knights Social Club

This film was profoundly disappointing and distressing. It’s a difficult task to write such a negative review for a movie featuring an esteemed actor like Robert De Niro, who has spent over five decades in the film industry. This particular project marked his first venture into portraying a dual role, which adds to the disappointment that the film ended up being such a catastrophe.

As someone with a vast body of work, it’s surprising that De Niro’s debut in a dual role resulted in such a disheartening outcome. While it’s not unusual for even the most talented actors and actresses to find themselves in what the industry refers to as “flops,” it begs the question of the true nature of these failures. Was the film itself fundamentally flawed—lacking engaging content or a coherent narrative—or did the issues lie with the performances?

You Can’t Have It Both Ways!

While it’s fascinating that De Niro took on both roles in The Alto Knights, I find it puzzling since these two men were not identical twins or related by blood. This choice raises interesting questions about character development and the narrative’s logic.

Costello’s struggle to leave the crime world behind while still being drawn back into it adds depth to his character. His attempt to navigate between being a gangster and a diplomat highlights a critical truth that Vito emphasizes: you can’t fully embrace both worlds. This dynamic enriches the story and showcases the challenges of trying to reconcile such different paths.

Robert De Niro’s Dual Performance

An actor can give a stellar performance, but the overall film fails to resonate with audiences. This raises an intriguing discussion: how do we differentiate between a talented performance and an abysmal film? Can we find a way to redefine these concepts to better understand the intricacies of filmmaking and acting? This situation highlights the complexities of the entertainment industry and the subjective nature of artistic expression. In Alto Knights, De Niro gives not one, but TWO great performances. While the film has potential, it ultimately fails to captivate and hold the audience’s attention effectively.

Say Good Night to the Alto Knights!!!

The Alto Knights is yet another crime/mafia film that falls flat, but it has one glaring issue: the dual role played by Robert De Niro should never have been handled by a single actor. Two separate individuals should have portrayed these distinct characters to do justice to the storyline. It was too much for De Niro, especially at his age. The film’s presentation as an autobiography from Frank Costello’s perspective only adds to the confusion rather than enhancing it. Overall, this film is disorganized and uninspired, and I firmly believe it’s the worst movie I’ve seen in 2025. It’s disheartening that De Niro was involved in such a project, and I sincerely hope it doesn’t tarnish his esteemed reputation.