The Alto Knights Review Roundup: Robert De Niro’s Double Act Divides Critics

Barry Levinson’s The Alto Knights has been one of the most anticipated gangster films of the year, bringing together legendary talent in front of and behind the camera. Written by Goodfellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi, the film tells the real-life story of two New York crime bosses—Frank Costello and Vito Genovese—who go from trusted allies to bitter rivals. The biggest talking point? Robert De Niro plays both roles, a dual performance that has sparked both praise and skepticism. Here is our The Alto Knights review roundup for our readers.

The film premiered to mixed reviews, with some critics admiring its classic mafia storytelling and others dismissing it as an uninspired retread of better mob movies. While Variety praised its historical richness, The Independent criticized De Niro’s double role as a gimmick that doesn’t add depth. Meanwhile, IGN and The Irish Times noted that its reliance on exposition-heavy narration makes it feel more like a history lesson than a gripping drama.

So, is The Alto Knights a compelling return to classic gangster cinema or just another mob movie stuck in the past? Here’s what the critics had to say.

The Praise: What Critics Loved

Despite its mixed reception, The Alto Knights has received commendation from several critics, particularly for its production design, historical depth, and De Niro’s acting.

Variety’s Peter Debruge called it a “sprawling, richly detailed mafia saga,” appreciating how the film showcases the inner workings of organized crime. The review highlighted De Niro’s strong performance, particularly his ability to create two distinct personas for Costello and Genovese, comparing it to Tom Hardy’s dual role in Legend.

Empire had a more moderate take, calling it “Scorsese-lite” but still entertaining. The review found its lighter moments enjoyable, especially a sequence where aging mobsters try to flee a police raid in comically slow motion.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus noted the film’s slick editing, strong performances, and classic gangster storytelling, though it acknowledged a lack of originality.

For those who love authentic mafia stories, the film captures the aesthetic and dialogue of the 1950s crime world well, particularly in its use of historical references and real-life events.

The Criticism: Where It Falls Short

While some critics praised the film’s execution, others found it lacking in originality and engagement.

The New York Times’ Glenn Kenny acknowledged De Niro’s strong performance but felt the film doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. The review compared The Alto Knights to past gangster classics and concluded that it **lacked the depth of Goodfellas or **The Godfather.

The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey was more critical, calling De Niro’s dual role a gimmick. She argued that while De Niro gives his usual powerhouse performance, the film fails to justify the need for him to play both characters, making it feel more like a stunt than a storytelling device.

IGN focused on the film’s overreliance on narration, stating that it “talks in circles” and spends too much time explaining events rather than showing them unfold. The review described it as “watching a Wikipedia entry being read aloud”, making it feel less cinematic and more like a documentary.

The Irish Times echoed this sentiment, calling the film “curiously bloodless” and saying that its excessive exposition drains the tension out of key moments. The review criticized Levinson’s direction for telling rather than showing, making The Alto Knights feel disjointed and unengaging.