*The Alto Knights* set to be 2025's major flop

Robert De Niro's new film, The Alto Knights, is struggling before its release. Directed by Barry Levinson, the gangster drama reportedly cost $45 million to make. Warner Bros. plans to release it in 2,800 theaters this weekend, but projections suggest it will only earn $2-3 million. The film features De Niro in a unique role, playing two rival crime bosses, Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. The script was written by Nicholas Pileggi, known for his work on the classic films Goodfellas and Casino. Levinson has a strong background in gangster films, having directed titles like Diner and Bugsy. Despite its strong cast, which includes Debra Messing and Cosmo Jarvis, The Alto Knights has received mixed reviews. Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent gave it two stars. She noted that a key scene, reminiscent of a famous moment in the movie Heat, failed to deliver the excitement expected. In the film, De Niro portrays both characters, but critics feel he struggles to differentiate them effectively. Genovese is depicted as impulsive, while Costello is shown as more stoic. However, De Niro's portrayal of these two men does not seem to capture the complexities of their rivalry, leaving some viewers disappointed.