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Biographical drama

Gotti (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gotti (2018) movie poster

Gotti is a 2018 biographical drama starring John Travolta as John Gotti, Kelly Preston and Stacy Keach. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $6.4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
worldwide gross
$6.4M
Echo Score
27
Metascore
24
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Gotti (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gotti About?

The premise of Gotti without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This biographical drama explores the life of John Gotti, the infamous mob boss known as the "Teflon Don." Through the recollections of his son, the film recounts Gotti's rise to power and the subsequent three decades filled with tragedy, repeated imprisonments, and struggles to keep his family together. It portrays a turbulent life marked by both immense wealth and significant personal challenges, as Gotti navigates the complexities of his criminal empire and attempts to preserve family unity with his wife.

Gotti Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on true story
  • terminal illness
  • funeral
  • death of protagonist
  • murder
  • convicted felon
  • profanity
  • career criminal
  • mafia don
  • american mafia
  • criminal father
  • italian american gangster
+38 more
  • italian american criminal
  • mobster
  • gangster
  • crime lord
  • organized crime
  • betrayal
  • loyalty
  • husband wife relationship
  • father son relationship
  • violence
  • brutal violence
  • brutality
  • prison
  • incarceration
  • tough guy
  • depression
  • bar fight
  • assault
  • courtroom
  • anger
  • resentment
  • informant
  • slapped in the face
  • beating
  • shot to death
  • shot in the eye
  • shot in the head
  • car bomb
  • cancer
  • crying woman
  • bereavement
  • death of husband
  • death of title character
  • italian american
  • police
  • prosecutor
  • lawyer
  • newsreel footage
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Cast & crew

Gotti Cast & Characters

John Travolta leads the cast as John Gotti, with Kelly Preston as Victoria and Stacy Keach as Neil Dellacroce.

Ratings

Gotti Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gotti 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 27/100, strongest in character & emotion (40) and weakest in rewatch factor (15).

27 /100

Gotti Echo Score Breakdown

In Gotti, disjointed sequencing and uneven technical execution hinder meaningful engagement. Critics and viewers note the episodic structure undermines narrative focus, while direction and editing fail to establish cohesive pacing. Performances, chiefly John Travolta’s portrayal, offer moments of intensity but cannot offset the superficial character development and inconsistent supporting roles. The film’s production elements lack cohesion, with ill-fitting soundtrack choices contrasting against competent visual moments. As a result, Gotti struggles to sustain interest or encourage repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 25

    In terms of art and craft, Gotti exhibits pervasive technical shortcomings that compromise its visual cohesion. Critics and viewers frequently describe the direction as episodic and unfocused, while editing choices disrupt momentum between scenes. Makeup and production design are criticized for lacking authenticity, though practical set elements occasionally register positively. Overall, the film struggles to achieve a coherent visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When it comes to character and emotion, Gotti presents a robust lead performance but falters elsewhere. John Travolta’s energy anchors several key scenes, yet the supporting cast often receives minimal depth and inconsistent direction. Emotional resonance is limited by rapid shifts between characters and a lack of sustained interaction. Consequently, the film’s ensemble fails to achieve cohesive dramatic impact.

  • Story & Flow 15

    Story and flow in Gotti are undermined by a disjointed, buckshot narrative structure that sacrifices depth for breadth. Critics and users alike note the non-linear pacing and episodic scene transitions hinder plot coherence, preventing any single moment from developing full impact. Repeated plot points are introduced and abandoned without resolution. As a result, engagement remains elusive throughout the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    The sensory experience of Gotti oscillates between competent visuals and discordant audio elements. Viewers praise the practical set pieces and occasional strong cinematography, but several reviews criticize the soundtrack for feeling mismatched and superficial. Sound design is described as uneven, with occasional lapses in atmospheric consistency. These divergent impressions prevent the film from delivering a fully immersive sensory landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 15

    Rewatch factor in Gotti is notably low due to its fragmented execution and limited emotional payoff. The episodic structure and narrative inconsistencies deter viewers from seeking subsequent viewings. Although some find value in Travolta’s lead performance, this alone does not overcome the film’s broader shortcomings. Consequently, Gotti offers minimal lasting appeal for repeat audiences.

Plot

Gotti Plot Summary

What happens in Gotti from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film chronicles the three-decade saga of crime boss John Gotti, showcasing his ascension as the head of the Gambino Crime Family in New York City. Accompanying him are his son, John Jr., and his devoted wife, Victoria. At the heart of the narrative is a unique relationship between a father, who adhered strictly to the mob’s stringent codes, and a son driven by a desire to escape that life and reclaim the Gotti name in a quest for redemption.

Full summary

The whole story of Gotti, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gotti Box Office & Budget

Gotti grossed $6.4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 64% of what it cost. $4.3 million came from the US and Canada and $2.1 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.4M

64% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4.3M
International
$2.1M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Gotti Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Gotti.

GOTTI Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gotti?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrayed John Gotti in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Gotti

34 cars on screen, including the 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and the 1984 Lincoln Town Car.

All 34 cars
  • 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham in Gotti 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Important role
  • 1984 Lincoln Town Car in Gotti 1984 Lincoln Town Car Important role
  • 1990 Cadillac Brougham in Gotti 1990 Cadillac Brougham Minor role
  • 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille in Gotti 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Minor role
Details

Gotti Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father” and “Gotti: Three Generations”.

Also known as
  • Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father
  • Gotti: Three Generations
  • The Life and Death of John Gotti
  • Gotti - Il primo
  • Gotti - A Real American Godfather

Seen Gotti?

FAQ

Gotti FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Gotti, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gotti?

Gotti runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Gotti released?

Gotti was released on June 15, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Gotti?

Gotti stars John Travolta as John Gotti, Kelly Preston as Victoria and Stacy Keach as Neil Dellacroce, among 22 credited actors.

How much did Gotti make at the box office?

Gotti grossed $6.4 million worldwide ($4.3 million domestic, $2.1 million international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Gotti rated?

Gotti has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 24 on Metacritic, 53% on TMDB and 1.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Gotti have a post-credit scene?

No. Gotti has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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