King of New York

Right now you can watch King of New York in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Philo, and in the UK on BFI Player and Arrow Video Amazon Channel — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Christopher Walken's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Amazon Prime Video.

There is a reason King of New York keeps coming up in conversation. At its heart, King of New York understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood. Christopher Walken and David Caruso lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1990. What makes King of New York hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, King of New York will keep you hooked. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Watch Christopher Walken work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.