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Crime drama

The Ruthless (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Ruthless (2019) movie poster

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.

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The Ruthless (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Renato De Maria
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
Italian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Ruthless

· 39 more
Show all 43 cast members
From the director

More from Renato De Maria

More films directed by Renato De Maria: Vanished Into the Night, Robbing Mussolini, Italian Gangsters and La vita oscena.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Ruthless Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in story & flow (64).

74 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Videos

The Ruthless Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Ruthless.

The Ruthless | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

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

  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

What southern Italian region is Santo Russo from?

Details

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
  • 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

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FAQ

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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