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Drama thriller

The Traitor (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Traitor (2019) movie poster

The Traitor is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Marco Bellocchio, starring Pierfrancesco Favino as Tommaso Buscetta, Maria Amato and Gabriele Cicirello. It runs 2 hours 31 minutes and earned $8.9 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 72/100.

worldwide gross
$8.9M
Echo Score
72
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The Traitor (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 31m (151 min)
Director
Marco Bellocchio
Genres
Drama , Crime , Thriller
Original language
Italian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Traitor About?

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

In 1980s Palermo, Sicily, Mafia member Tommaso Buscetta attempts to escape the escalating war between rival clans by relocating to Brazil with his family. After facing hardship and tragedy, he is compelled to return to Italy, where he makes a pivotal decision to cooperate with authorities. His actions will dramatically alter his own life and the future of the Cosa Nostra criminal organization.

The Traitor Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • cosa nostra
  • sicily
  • italy
  • 1990s
  • 1980s
  • mafia
  • year 2000
  • sicily italy
  • italian history
  • year 1984
  • year 1992
  • male full frontal nudity
+38 more
  • based on true story
  • trial
  • mafia boss
  • sex scene
  • female nudity
  • mutilation
  • shot in the chest
  • heroin addict
  • loss of son
  • dream
  • murder
  • rio de janeiro brazil
  • brazilian woman
  • torture
  • loss of father
  • judge
  • questioning
  • flashback
  • assassination
  • assassination attempt
  • title appears in writing
  • veiled threat
  • death threat
  • new identity
  • pentito
  • italian abroad
  • paranoia
  • strychnine
  • palermo italy
  • code of honor
  • prostitute
  • sex in a jail
  • fleeing the country
  • ex mafioso
  • sicilian mafioso
  • male nudity
  • southern europe
  • europe
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Cast & crew

The Traitor Cast & Characters

Pierfrancesco Favino leads the cast as Tommaso Buscetta, with Maria Amato as Melchiorra Buscetta and Gabriele Cicirello as Benedetto Buscetta. Directed by Marco Bellocchio; 90 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Traitor

· 86 more
Show all 90 cast members
From the director

More from Marco Bellocchio

More films directed by Marco Bellocchio, best-rated first: Vincere, Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara, My Mother's Smile and Good Morning, Night.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Traitor Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

72 /100

The Traitor Echo Score Breakdown

The Traitor delivers a compelling exploration of mafia defections through strong direction and an ambitious narrative, though its execution is uneven in places. Critics highlight its daring script, striking scenery, and a powerful lead performance, while many viewers note confusion due to dense subtitles and a meandering pace. The film balances moments of intense drama with sections that feel overlong or opaque, resulting in a mixed but largely positive overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows confident direction and a vivid visual palette that captures both Italian and international settings. Critics commend its unconventional cinematic approach and effective production design, while few viewers mention technical flaws. The editing maintains a measured rhythm that supports the story's complexity. Overall, the craftsmanship is regarded as a strong asset of the movie.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance is frequently described as galvanising and nuanced, providing a deep portrait of a conflicted informant. Critics praise the emotional weight, whereas some audience members find occasional lapses into caricature and stiffness. Supporting roles add texture but can be confusing due to limited exposition. The net effect is a solid, if occasionally uneven, character presentation.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The story and flow revolve around a rare, complex mafia narrative that challenges genre conventions. Positive commentary notes its originality and intellectual layering, while several viewers point to a convoluted plot and pacing issues. The film balances courtroom drama with personal introspection, yet moments of redundancy detract from cohesion. Consequently, the storyline is perceived as engaging but somewhat uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience is highlighted by striking scenery, especially the Sicilian and Rio locations, and an atmospheric sound design that underscores tension. Critics appreciate the visual style, though audience feedback mentions distracting subtitle speed and occasional audio clutter. The soundtrack supports the period setting without overwhelming the scenes. Overall, the sensory elements contribute positively but are not uniformly praised.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is influenced by the film's intellectual depth and vivid settings, which invite repeat viewings for deeper analysis. Some critics label it a must‑see, yet many users cite confusion and length as barriers to enjoyment on subsequent watches. The combination of strong performances and a demanding narrative yields a moderate replay value, appealing primarily to viewers attracted to complex crime dramas.

Plot

The Traitor Plot Summary

What happens in The Traitor from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the 1980s, during a time when the mafia clans held significant power in Italy, particularly the Cosa Nostra in Palermo, led by Totò Riina, a fierce struggle for control of the drug market began. Despite the surface display of camaraderie and cooperation between rival factions, tensions were mounting. Enter Tommaso Buscetta, portrayed by Pierfrancesco Favino, a noted figure of the Cosa Nostra who was dubbed the “boss of two worlds.” Foreseeing the impending conflict among families, Buscetta made a strategic decision to relocate to Brazil, adopting the alias Roberto Felici to continue his business without the threat of violence.

Full summary

The whole story of The Traitor, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Traitor Box Office

The Traitor grossed $8.9 million worldwide. $296,027 came from the US and Canada and $8.6 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.9M

US & Canada
$296K
International
$8.6M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Videos

The Traitor Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Traitor.

Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Traitor?

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
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrayed Tommaso Buscetta?

Seen The Traitor?

FAQ

The Traitor FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Traitor?

The Traitor runs 2 hours 31 minutes (151 minutes).

When was The Traitor released?

The Traitor was released on May 23, 2019.

Who directed The Traitor?

The Traitor was directed by Marco Bellocchio.

More films by Marco Bellocchio

Who is in the cast of The Traitor?

The Traitor stars Pierfrancesco Favino as Tommaso Buscetta, Maria Amato as Melchiorra Buscetta and Gabriele Cicirello as Benedetto Buscetta, among 90 credited actors.

How much did The Traitor make at the box office?

The Traitor grossed $8.9 million worldwide ($296,027 domestic, $8.6 million international).

Does The Traitor have a post-credit scene?

No. The Traitor has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Traitor in?

The original language of The Traitor is Italian.

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