The Ruthless (2019)

The Ruthless has that rare gangster-movie spark where style and substance lock hands: a sweeping Italian crime saga that feels both glossy and grimy, like neon reflecting off wet cobblestones. Set against the churn of Milan from the late ’60s onward, it pulls you into a world where ambition becomes a habit and violence becomes a language, all captured with sumptuous visuals and a confident, propulsive rhythm. The performances give the story its muscle, grounding the swagger in something human enough to sting, even when the characters are making unforgivable choices. If you’re looking for a moral fable with clean heroes, this isn’t it—but if you want a slick, entertaining descent into power and consequence, it’s a gripping ride.

The Ruthless is clearly aiming for a classic rise-and-fall gangster saga, using Milan’s gritty backdrop and a troubled immigrant kid’s “education” in crime as its engine. The problem is it often feels like it’s playing the greatest hits of better mob movies, hitting familiar beats in a way that’s more predictable than gripping. The story moves fast but not always with purpose, so character turns and big escalations can feel rushed rather than earned. If you’re craving a fresh angle or a deeply layered crime drama, this may disappoint, but if you just want a competent, stylishly bleak Italian gangster romp and don’t mind the deja vu, there are moments that still land.