Is Lansky Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Lansky is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 119 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Lansky Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2021, Lansky emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Drama, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of When the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster spins a dizzying tale, revealing the untold truth about his life as the notorious boss of Murder Inc. Unlike standard genre fare, Lansky attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Lansky features a noteworthy lineup led by Harvey Keitel . Supported by the likes of Sam Worthington and John Magaro , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Lansky (2021) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Lansky Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Lansky is a Crime, Drama, Thriller film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster spins a dizzying tale, revealing the untold truth about his life as the notorious boss of Murder Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Lansky Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Lansky concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Lansky reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Lansky Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Lansky incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Lansky adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Lansky?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Lansky Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $136.6K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Lansky Budget
The estimated production budget for Lansky is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Lansky
- Harvey Keitel – Meyer Lansky
- Sam Worthington – David Stone
- John Magaro – Young Meyer Lansky
- Minka Kelly – Maureen Duffy
- David James Elliott – Frank Rivers
Top Highlights
Harvey KeitelMeyer Lansky
Sam WorthingtonDavid Stone
John MagaroYoung Meyer Lansky
Minka KellyMaureen Duffy
David James ElliottFrank Rivers
Danny A. AbeckaserGreg Kunz
David CadeBen "Bugsy" Siegel
AnnaSophia RobbAnne Lansky
Shane McRaeCharlie "Lucky" Luciano
Jackie CruzDafne
Where to Watch Lansky Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
VI movies and tv🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Lansky is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, Lansky stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2021 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lansky movie hit or flop?
Lansky has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Lansky worth watching?
Lansky is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Drama, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Lansky online?
Lansky is currently available for streaming on VI movies and tv. You can also check for it on platforms like VI movies and tv depending on your region.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Lansky
How Lansky Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Lansky
Done a million times and better. So sad to see two of the greatest, Harvey Keitel and Sam Worthington, get wasted in this drivel. The producers can take their "based on true events" tagline and shove it up their cunts. No one cares what's made up and what's not it is supposed to be entertaining. This was a horrible bore fest.
One of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. An emotional odyssey that plays on the expectation of who Lansky was and adds layers to him.
Harvey Keitel -- probably as old as we are likely to ever see him, but no less a master of his craft -- stars as Meyer Lansky in "Lansky." It's about as exciting as sneaking up on a glass of tepid water, action-wise -- but a straight telling, with Lansky there to tell the story to "himself" -- made it more than worthwhile for grudging admirers of Organized Crime, and also fans of Harvey Keitel, of which I am massive. Keitel's monologue during the Grand Budapest Hotel concerning "two poodles and blonde on a walk in the park" when Keitel suddenly erupts as the Mastermind Genius Inmate of Station 19 is one of the funniest surprises of that very funny movie. This movie is certainly no rival for Grand Budapest because so few are, but just seeing Keitel playing it straight for one of the biggest (and most prosecution-proof) gambling racketeers of the 20th Century at a very late stage in his career is its own kind of fun. Great intimate portraiture.
Loved this one, am sure anyone who enjoys history related to The organized crime in the US would feel the same.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
