
In 1967 Milan, Santo Russo and his family move north seeking a better life. Following a misunderstanding and his father's disapproval, Santo finds himself incarcerated, receiving a harsh introduction to the criminal underworld. Released in 1978, he joins forces with Slim and Mario, beginning a fifteen-year descent into crime. Their activities escalate from robberies to kidnappings, murders, and heroin smuggling, establishing a ruthless and profitable criminal enterprise.
Does The Ruthless have end credit scenes?
No!
The Ruthless does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of The Ruthless, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.

Riccardo Scamarcio
Santo Russo

Christian Borromeo

Ignazio Oliva
Michele Ventura

Alessio Praticò
Salvatore 'Slim' Mammone

Adele Tirante
Caterina Russo

Marie-Ange Casta
Annabelle

Pietro Pace
Spadafora

Angelo Libri
Pantaleone Russo

Matteo Leoni
(uncredited)

Sara Cardinaletti
Suor Giuseppina

Michele De Virgilio
Avvocato Giovanni Bova

Antonio Caracciolo
Prete

Marco Ripoldi
Cameriere

Aram Kian
Nuri

Sara Serraiocco
Mariangela

Alessandro Tedeschi
Alessandro Tedeschi

Michele Di Siena
Real estate agent

Giovanni D'Aleo
Luigi Russo

Daniela Delle Cave
Bertha (uncredited)

Sebastian Gimelli Morosini
Giampi

Fabio Pellicori
Ciccio Gaetani

Giuseppe Percoco
Paolino Gaetani

Valentine Payen-Wicaksono
Ragazza Francese (as Valentine Payen)

Lorenzo Di Iulio
Santo Russo (Ragazzo)

Thomas Semeraro
Attanasio

Fulvio Milani
Alfonso Barbieri

Alessandro Lombardo
Magistrate

Nina De Maria

Franco Idone
Analyst

Pippo Crotti
Local owner

Ermes Frattini
Porsche owner

Federico Pasquali

Marco Pilone

Damiano Lauria
Slim (Ragazzo)

Gabriel Saltarelli

Gianmarco Basile

Samuel Falzone

Martin Francisco Montero Baez

Faridi Farideddin
Kemal

Gregory Balzi
Carabiniere (uncredited)

Vinnie LaRocksta
Invitato Matrimonio (uncredited)

Luca Nicora
Santo Russo (Ragazzo) (uncredited)

Marco Trotta
Policeman (uncredited)
Discover where to watch The Ruthless online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
See how The Ruthless is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Ruthless stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
In overall assessment, The Ruthless delivers competent genre fare that entertains without breaking new ground. Critics note the film’s stylish visuals and solid performances, while several viewers praise its engaging moments and occasional humor. However, recurrent comments highlight predictable plot elements, uneven pacing, and a lack of lasting novelty that may dim its memorability. Consequently, the movie offers a respectable yet unremarkable experience for fans of Italian gangster dramas.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Ruthless
Art & Craft
Regarding art and craft, the film is praised for its visually appealing cinematography, including vivid Italian settings and effective 80’s color palettes. Critics and users commend the stylish production design and confident direction that enhance the period atmosphere. Some viewers note minor dissatisfaction with editing rhythm, but overall the visual execution is strong.
Character & Emotion
In terms of character and emotion, performances receive consistent approval, especially Riccardo Scamarcio’s convincing portrayal of Santo Russo. Reviewers highlight credible chemistry among the cast and moments of nuanced acting that draw viewers into the narrative. A few comments mention secondary roles lacking depth, yet the central performances are generally regarded as a film’s strength.
Story & Flow
The story aspect elicits mixed reactions; several viewers commend the plot’s multi‑layered angles and occasional dark humor that add texture. Conversely, criticism focuses on predictability, excessive length, and insufficient character motivations, especially in the second half where pacing drags. Overall, the narrative is engaging at times but undermined by uneven execution.
Sensory Experience
Sensory experience receives strong commendation, with reviewers highlighting the sumptuous visuals, effective use of period‑specific color schemes, and immersive soundtrack that reinforce the Italian gangster ambiance. The cinematography is frequently described as great, and the sound design complements the stylish production. Minor critiques are sparse, confirming the film’s auditory‑visual appeal.
Rewatch Factor
Rewatch factor is evaluated as moderate; many find the film enjoyable enough for a second viewing due to its entertaining moments, stylish direction, and occasional humor. However, remarks about predictability, dragging pacing, and lack of lasting novelty suggest diminished appeal over time. Consequently, the movie offers reasonable repeat value for genre enthusiasts.
Read the complete plot summary of The Ruthless, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
At sixteen, Santo Russo, Riccardo Scamarcio, leaves Calabria with his mother and younger brother to join his father, a former member of the Ndrangheta who was expelled after a transgression. The family settles in Romano Banco, a suburb of Milan, where Santo begins working as a porter and quickly befriends Mario Barbieri, the son of the local deli owner, while he starts picking up the Milanese dialect. Yet Santo finds himself pulled into Milan’s criminal underworld, where Calabrian affiliates operating under the control of the powerful Gaetani family seek to extend their reach in Lombardy.
On New Year’s Eve, while his family celebrates at home with Calabria-born friends, Santo and Mario wander the streets after a night of drinking. They are stopped by the police near a stolen Lambretta scooter and questioned; after clearing them, the police contact their parents. Santo’s father refuses to acknowledge him, and Santo ends up spending four months in the Beccaria juvenile detention center. There, he befriends “Slim” Alessio Praticò Mammone, another young Calabrian inmate serving time for robberies, and their shared history deepens into a partnership that will influence their later criminal operations.
From robberies to kidnappings and the production of heroin, Santo rises through the criminal ranks, forging ties with the Ndrangheta in Lombardy. His ascent comes to a dramatic halt when he makes the decision to cooperate with law enforcement, bringing his rise to an end and changing the trajectory of his life and the criminal world around him.

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