Director Abel Ferrara’s King of New York is finally getting the respect it deserves.  This film - gritty and chock full of unexpected violence - still hits hard.  It practically renders its audience deaf due to the unexpected explosion of violence in the film’s final moments.  It’s pure poetry as one gangster learns the hard way about a life of unforgiveness.

I was probably way too young when I initially saw King of New York, but I can tell you one thing: the acting absolutely blew me away.  And so many scenes have stayed with me over the years as this noirish gangster flick documents the struggle of a drug kingpin, recently released from jail, who tries to regain his territory.

Things have changed and not for the better because the cops - just as brutal and as ruthless as Frank White (an absolutely brilliant Christopher Walken) - are having none of his shenanigans. 

Co-starring (and buckle up because it is a long and commanding list of actors!!) Laurence Fishburne, David Caruso, Victor Argo, Wesley Snipes, Janet Julian, Joey Chin, Paul Calderón, Steve Buscemi, Giancarlo Esposito and Theresa Randle, there’s no limit on the talent involved which brings this gritty crime thriller to life with riveting performances as the NYPD goes toe-to-toe with matching the violence Frank White is known for.

Even if he wants to go straight after his release from prison, the city won’t let him and it makes for an interesting dichotomy of fates.  Match this with the stunning cinematography from Bojan Bazelli and you have a glassy, steely-eyed modern noir thriller in which the streets of New York always win, taking what they want and not giving a damn about the human wreckage left in the gutters.

King of New York is a haunting affair and it has always been marred by its low production values and its short shoot, yet time has been kind to it and now - thanks to the direction most gangster flicks headed in the early 2000’s - it is revered as a cult classic which paved the way for so many films like it.  Ahead of its time, you could argue and Lionsgate celebrates its cult classic status masterfully with their 4K handling of this SteelBook release.

Scoop it up now!

Lionsgate Limited Exclusive SteelBook / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital

Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate
Available on Blu-ray - April 15, 2025
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English; English SDH; Spanish
Video: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Audio: English: LPCM 2.0; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

Director Abel Ferrara’s gritty 1990 crime-fable masterpiece hits even harder in 4K with its noirish story of a drug kingpin eager to regain his territory. Frank White (Christopher Walken) is just out of prison, and he wastes no time – or bullets – in brutally establishing his empire. When the undercover cops standing in Frank’s way decide to match his ruthlessness, the violence that erupts is vintage Ferrara: unflinching, epic, and cinematically poetic. With a cast including Laurence Fishburne, David Caruso, Wesley Snipes, and Giancarlo Esposito, King of New York reigns supreme in the annals of gangster films.

VIDEO

The city screams electric!  Visual violence in stunning 4K!  This new 4K transfer blasts its way through the congestion with unmatched clarity.  Surface details are excellent throughout.  From facial hair to the clothes the cast wears, there’s nothing that doesn’t look rippled with layers.  Being largely set indoors, interior lighting sets the mood well and appears as natural as an everyday apartment. Skin tones appear natural as does the copious amounts of blood that graces the screen. Colors are quite soft as a whole with nothing being too overpowering. The darker nighttime and outdoor scenes are also very good with no detail being lost to the shadows.

AUDIO

The English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio continues to slap with harditting sounds and splatter!

Supplements:

Commentary:

• There aren't any new ones, but the original commentaries have been ported over for this release.

Special Features:

This 2020 4K restoration, from the original negative by Arrow Films, was approved by director Abel Ferrara and cinematographer Bojan Bazelli and features moody, textured illustrations by artist Vance Kelly on the SteelBook.  Complete with a 4K restoration in Dolby Vision HDR, the release features a bevy of great supplemental extras!

• The Sacred and Profane in King of New York
• Flashback on King of New York: Christopher Walken
• Flashback on King of New York: Paul Calderon
• Audio Commentary with Director Abel Ferrara
• Audio Commentary with Composer Joe Delia, Producer Mary Kane, Casting Director Randy Sabusawa, and Editor Anthony Redman
• A Short Film About the Long Career of Abel Ferrara Documentary
• “The Adventures of Schoolly D: Snowboarder” Featurette
• Interview with Director Abel Ferrara
• Interview with Producer Augusto Caminito
• Schoolly D Music Video
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots

	Movie
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	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 103 mins
Director: Abel Ferrara
Writer: Nicholas St. John
Cast: Christopher Walken; David Caruso; Laurence Fishburne
Genre: Crime | Thriller
Tagline: Not Everyone Who Runs a City is Elected.
Memorable Movie Quote: "He's a fucking glitter-boy! He's looking to get sprayed, laid, played, and slayed. You know what I'm saying?
Theatrical Distributor: Seven Arts Productions
Official Site: https://lionsgatelimited.com/products/king-of-new-york-4k-steelbook%C2%AE?variant=42796497076335
Release Date: September 1990
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: April 15, 2025.
Synopsis: A drug kingpin is released from prison and seeks to take total control of the criminal underworld in order to give back to the community.