The Ruthless (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot
The Ruthless is a 2019 crime drama directed by Renato De Maria, starring Riccardo Scamarcio as Santo Russo, Adele Tirante and Angelo Libri. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Its Echo Score is 74/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Renato De Maria
- Original language
-
Italian
- Studio
- BiBi Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Ruthless About?
The premise of The Ruthless without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
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.
The Ruthless Cast & Characters
Riccardo Scamarcio leads the cast as Santo Russo, with Adele Tirante as Caterina Russo and Angelo Libri as Pantaleone Russo. Directed by Renato De Maria; 43 actors are credited in all.
- Director Renato De Maria
-
Riccardo Scamarcio as Santo Russo - Adele Tirante as Caterina Russo
- Angelo Libri as Pantaleone Russo
- Giovanni D'Aleo as Luigi Russo
Also Starring in The Ruthless
· 39 more- Damiano Lauria Slim (Ragazzo)
- Fulvio Milani Alfonso Barbieri
- Pippo Crotti Local owner
- Ermes Frattini Porsche owner
- Fabio Pellicori Ciccio Gaetani
- Giuseppe Percoco Paolino Gaetani
- Alessio Praticò Salvatore 'Slim' Mammone
- Christian Borromeo
- Alessandro Tedeschi Alessandro Tedeschi
- Ignazio Oliva Michele Ventura
- Sara Serraiocco Mariangela
- Michele De Virgilio Avvocato Giovanni Bova
- Sara Cardinaletti Suor Giuseppina
- Marie-Ange Casta Annabelle
- Marco Ripoldi Cameriere
- Aram Kian Nuri
Show all 43 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sebastian Gimelli Morosini Giampi
- Alessandro Lombardo Magistrate
- Pietro Pace Spadafora
- Michele Di Siena Real estate agent
- Antonio Caracciolo Prete
- Daniela Delle Cave Bertha (uncredited)
- Lorenzo Di Iulio Santo Russo (Ragazzo)
- Thomas Semeraro Attanasio
- Marco Trotta Policeman (uncredited)
- Valentine Payen-Wicaksono Ragazza Francese (as Valentine Payen)
- Franco Idone Analyst
- Martin Francisco Montero Baez
- Faridi Farideddin Kemal
- Gregory Balzi Carabiniere (uncredited)
- Vinnie LaRocksta Invitato Matrimonio (uncredited)
- Luca Nicora Santo Russo (Ragazzo) (uncredited)
- Matteo Leoni
- Nina De Maria
- Federico Pasquali
- Marco Pilone
- Gabriel Saltarelli
- Gianmarco Basile
- Samuel Falzone
More from Renato De Maria
More films directed by Renato De Maria: Vanished Into the Night, Robbing Mussolini, Italian Gangsters and La vita oscena.
The Ruthless Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in story & flow (64).
The Ruthless Echo Score Breakdown
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.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
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 78
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 64
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 82
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 68
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.
The Ruthless Plot Summary
What happens in The Ruthless from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
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.
Full summary
The whole story of The Ruthless, scene by scene
The Ruthless Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Ruthless.
How Well Do You Know The Ruthless?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What southern Italian region is Santo Russo from?
The Ruthless Also Known As
22 alternative titles, including “Den obarmhärtige” and “คนใหญ่ต้องโหด”.
- Also known as
-
- Den obarmhärtige
- คนใหญ่ต้องโหด
- ザ・ルースレス ~とあるマフィアの転落人生~:2019
- 라 마피아
- L'homme sans pitié
- 无情暴虐
- Nada Santo
- Lo Spietato
- חסר רחמים
- Der Unbarmherzige
- Ο Αδίστακτος
- Bezwzględny
+10 more Show fewer
- Безмилостният
- Безжалостный
- Los despiadados
- Acımasız
- A kegyetlen, დაუნდობელი
- Un homme sans pitié
- Bezohledný
- ザ・ルースレス ~とあるマフィアの転落人生~
- 殘酷世代
- Säälimätön
Seen The Ruthless?
The Ruthless FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Ruthless, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Ruthless?
The Ruthless runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was The Ruthless released?
The Ruthless was released on April 8, 2019.
Who directed The Ruthless?
The Ruthless was directed by Renato De Maria.
More films by Renato De Maria Who is in the cast of The Ruthless?
The Ruthless stars Riccardo Scamarcio as Santo Russo, Adele Tirante as Caterina Russo and Angelo Libri as Pantaleone Russo, among 43 credited actors.
Does The Ruthless have a post-credit scene?
No. The Ruthless has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Ruthless in?
The original language of The Ruthless is Italian.
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