King of New York is a crime thriller movie directed by Abel Ferrara and released in 1990. The film stars Christopher Walken as Frank White, a drug lord who has just been released from prison and returns to New York City with a plan to consolidate his power in the criminal underworld.
With the help of his loyal crew, Frank sets out to take over the city's drug trade, eliminating anyone who opposes him, including competing gangs and corrupt police officers. As his power grows, Frank becomes a Robin Hood-like figure, using his illegal profits to fund social programs and help the city's poor and marginalized communities.
The movie features a top-notch cast, including Laurence Fishburne as Jimmy Jump, a violent and unpredictable gang leader, and David Caruso as Dennis Gilley, a detective working to bring Frank down. The film's cinematography, score, and direction are also notable, with Ferrara creating a gritty and stylized version of New York City that feels both realistic and dreamlike.
While King of New York received mixed reviews upon its release, it has since become a cult classic and is considered a defining example of the urban crime thriller genre. The film's themes of power, corruption, and redemption are timeless, and Walken's performance as Frank White has been celebrated as one of his best and most iconic roles.