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Biographical thriller

Lansky (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Lansky (2021) movie poster

Lansky is a 2021 biographical thriller directed by Eytan Rockaway, starring Harvey Keitel as Meyer Lansky, John Magaro and AnnaSophia Robb. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $136,579 worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
64%
worldwide gross
$136.6K
Echo Score
41
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Lansky (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Eytan Rockaway
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lansky About?

The premise of Lansky without spoilers.

A struggling writer, David Stone, is contacted by the infamous Meyer Lansky, who offers to share the untold story of his life as a ruthless crime boss. Facing the prospect of legal repercussions, Lansky recounts his rise to power, detailing his involvement with Murder, Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate. Through his revelations, a portrait emerges of a man who shaped the landscape of organized crime in America.

Lansky Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • honey trap
  • famous mobster
  • mafia
  • violence
  • investigation
  • shock treatment
  • fbi federal bureau of investigation
  • f word
  • no opening credits
  • surname as title
  • payphone
  • reference to richard nixon
+38 more
  • diner
  • reference to bugsy siegel
  • shot in the chest
  • shot to death
  • miami florida
  • bugsy siegel character
  • lucky luciano character
  • reference to adolf hitler
  • reference to henry ford
  • meyer lansky character
  • 1980s
  • 20th century
  • gangster crime
  • fbi investigation
  • mobster
  • secret nazi organization
  • timelines intertwined
  • writer
  • father daughter relationship
  • bootlegger
  • gambling
  • bound and gagged man
  • man in a trunk
  • execution style murder
  • motel room
  • extramarital affair
  • implied motel sex
  • soaked in blood
  • gore
  • hanging from the ceiling
  • naval intelligence
  • upstate new york
  • dannemora prison
  • nazi spies in america
  • stabbing
  • listening device
  • fbi surveillance
  • machine gun
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Cast & crew

Lansky Cast & Characters

Harvey Keitel leads the cast as Meyer Lansky, with John Magaro as Young Meyer Lansky and AnnaSophia Robb as Anne Lansky. Directed by Eytan Rockaway; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Lansky

· 10 more
From the director

More from Eytan Rockaway

One more film directed by Eytan Rockaway: The Abandoned.

Full filmography
Ratings

Lansky Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lansky 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 41/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

41 /100

Lansky Echo Score Breakdown

Lansky delivers a competent but largely unremarkable entry in the gangster genre, hindered by familiar tropes and uneven narrative focus. While Harvey Keitel's performance offers a notable anchor, the film's direction and production choices fail to elevate the material beyond its workman‑like execution. The resulting experience provides occasional moments of interest but lacks the cohesion and originality needed for lasting impact, leaving it more suited to a single viewing than repeat engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents decent production values yet exhibits a workman‑like aesthetic. Critics note budgetary constraints and a reliance on conventional visual motifs, while users point to a lack of distinctive directorial vision. The cinematography and editing serve the story adequately but do not offer memorable or innovative moments, resulting in a modest technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, the performances stand out as the film's primary strength. Harvey Keitel and John Magaro receive consistent praise for nuanced portrayals, with several reviewers highlighting their ability to bring depth to a frequently caricatured figure. Although supporting roles receive mixed remarks, the central acting delivers a compelling, humanizing touch that elevates the material despite other shortcomings.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The story and flow suffer from overused gangster clichés and a fragmented structure. Critics and users alike comment on the predictable plot, scant connective tissue, and moments where the narrative loses momentum. Flashbacks are described as perfunctory rather than enriching, and the pacing fails to sustain engagement, leading to a sense of familiar and uninspired storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    Sensory experience offers modest contributions, with occasional well‑staged violence but overall unremarkable sound and visual design. While some reviewers acknowledge effective flashback sequences, the soundtrack and sound design receive little commendation. Visual elements such as set dressing occasionally appear incongruent with the period, reinforcing a perception of adequate but not distinctive sensory execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch factor appears limited, as the film's repetitive tropes and uneven narrative reduce its replay value. Positive comments focus on individual performances, yet the lack of novelty and engaging pacing make subsequent viewings less appealing. Both critics and users suggest the movie may be worth a single watch for fans of the genre but does not sustain enduring interest.

Box office

Lansky Box Office & Budget

Lansky grossed $136,579 worldwide on a $5 million budget. $61,030 came from the US and Canada and $75,549 (55%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$136.6K

US & Canada
$61K
International
$75.5K
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 45% Rest of the world 55%
Videos

Lansky Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Lansky.

Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in Lansky

12 cars on screen, including the 1975 Mercury Monarch and the 1982 Ford LTD.

All 12 cars
  • 1975 Mercury Monarch in Lansky 1975 Mercury Monarch Main role
  • 1982 Ford LTD in Lansky 1982 Ford LTD Important role
  • unknown in Lansky unknown Important role
  • unknown in Lansky unknown Minor role
Details

Lansky Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “迈耶·兰斯基” and “Меєр Ланськи”.

Also known as
  • 迈耶·兰斯基
  • Меєр Ланськи
  • Lansky - Der Pate von Las Vegas
  • לנסקי: הסיפור האמיתי
  • Мейер Лански
  • 兰斯基
  • Меєр Ланскі
  • Ο Αρχηγός της Μαφίας
  • 蘭斯基
  • Įtakingiausias Amerikos gangsteris
  • לנסקי
  • Лански
+5 more
  • Visvarenākais Amerikas gangsteris
  • Lansky: Uma História da Máfia, მეიერ ლანსკი
  • 랜스키
  • Lansky: Příběh mafie
  • ギャング・オブ・アメリカ

Seen Lansky?

FAQ

Lansky FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Lansky?

Lansky runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Lansky released?

Lansky was released on June 25, 2021.

Who directed Lansky?

Lansky was directed by Eytan Rockaway.

More films by Eytan Rockaway

Who is in the cast of Lansky?

Lansky stars Harvey Keitel as Meyer Lansky, John Magaro as Young Meyer Lansky and AnnaSophia Robb as Anne Lansky, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Lansky make at the box office?

Lansky grossed $136,579 worldwide ($61,030 domestic, $75,549 international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is Lansky rated?

Lansky has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Lansky have a post-credit scene?

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

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