Romanzo Criminale

Freddo serves time as a juvenile offender, then reassembles his circle of old allies, Libano and Dandi, to start a violent ascent through Rome's criminal underworld. The trio's early capers quickly cement them as the city's dominant gang, reshaping what power means in the streets. Libano savors the swell of influence and dreams of spreading their reach farther, while Freddo and Dandi chase different appetites, from money to sensation. Over the years, they pull off a series of extravagant crimes that elevate their status and invite rivals and police scrutiny. As trust erodes, the group's cohesion buckles under pressure and suspicion. Their feud threatens to pull Rome's underworld apart and spill into the daylight, reshaping the city's criminal landscape forever.

Directed by Michele Placido, the film is an Italian crime drama adapted from Giancarlo De Cataldo's novel Romanzo Criminale, with screenwriting by Stefano Rulli and Sandro Petraglia. Placido's direction emphasizes atmosphere and tension, balancing street grit with ambition and restraint.

The film grossed $4,851,244 worldwide against a modest budget of $818,418, signaling a solid return for an Italian crime drama and underscoring its appeal beyond Italian audiences. Its festival circuit presence and word of mouth extended its life abroad considerably.

Romanzo Criminale stands among a wave of Italian crime cinema in the mid 2000s, spotlighting Rome's underworld with a sprawling ensemble. Its stylized violence and power dynamics helped shape conversations around gangster sagas in contemporary Italian film. Its loyalties and rivalries echo classic crime sagas while reflecting Italian society today.

Critics responded to its meticulous production and a strong ensemble, noting how loyalty, ambition, and the erosion of trust drive the story. The film balances character drama with sprawling crime spectacle, offering a stark portrait of power and its costs. Audiences praised its atmosphere and performances for modern audiences worldwide.