Billy Bathgate
A teenager enters the glamorous but lethal orbit of a 1930s New York gangster and discovers the cost of belonging.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- serious
- morally uneasy
- crime movie night
- period drama evening
What critics said
Critics generally found the film intelligent and refined in its treatment of gangsters, but emotionally muted, visually underwhelming, and lacking the visceral impact expected from the genre.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Billy Bathgate is a teenager whose education, wealth, and identity develop through his protégé relationship with Dutch Schultz.
Dutch Schultz and his associates pursue an organized criminal empire through money, influence, and intimidation in 1930s New York.
The film foregrounds flash cars, tailored suits, and a polished New York underworld milieu.
Billy's protégé status with Dutch Schultz offers wealth and belonging while placing him inside a violent criminal operation.
Films like Billy Bathgate, and why
Once Upon a Time in America
1930s organized crime, a young outsider drawn into gangster power, and morally uneasy coming-of-age drama
The Untouchables
period gangster milieu, criminal ambition, violent underworld politics, and polished historical production
A Bronx Tale
young protagonist entering an organized-crime world through powerful criminal mentors, with danger and compromised loyalty
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Benton
- Release Date
- 1991-11-01
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (249)
Cast
- Loren Dean
- Dustin Hoffman
- Nicole Kidman
- Bruce Willis
- Steve Buscemi
- Stanley Tucci
- Steven Hill
- Billy Jaye
- John Costelloe
- Timothy Jerome
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Billy Bathgate about?
- A teenager enters the glamorous but lethal orbit of a 1930s New York gangster and discovers the cost of belonging.
- What is Billy Bathgate like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Billy Bathgate as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Billy Bathgate violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Billy Bathgate as brutal.
- What did critics think of Billy Bathgate?
- Critics generally found the film intelligent and refined in its treatment of gangsters, but emotionally muted, visually underwhelming, and lacking the visceral impact expected from the genre.
- Which films are like Billy Bathgate?
- Films with a similar feel include Once Upon a Time in America, The Untouchables, and A Bronx Tale.
- How long is Billy Bathgate?
- Billy Bathgate runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Billy Bathgate?
- In United States, Billy Bathgate is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
