Seeing Double? Robert De Niro Faces Off Against Himself in ‘The Alto Knights’

Actor Robert De Niro is no stranger to mob movies, but his latest endeavor, “The Alto Knights,” takes things up a notch; because this time, he’s playing both of the main guys. According to ABC News, the crime drama, directed by Barry Levinson and written by “Goodfellas” scribe Nicholas Pileggi, hits theaters on March 21, 2025, bringing to life the true story of two powerful 1950s mobsters: Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. And yep, De Niro plays them both.

It’s definitely not the first time De Niro’s taken on a gangster role, but stepping into two opposing crime bosses at once? That’s a new challenge… even for him.

Double the De Niro, Double the Drama

In “The Alto Knights,” De Niro plays Costello and Genovese, childhood friends who become bitter rivals as they battle for control of the New York underworld. The film’s producer Irwin Winkler suggested the dual role, believing that De Niro was the only actor who could truly bring both men to life, per ABC. “I thought he’d be a good Genovese,” said Winkler. “By the same token, if he had said he wanted to play Genovese, and [the question was] who would play Frank Costello, he could play a good Frank Costello. So why not play both?” (And let’s be honest, if you’re casting two mob bosses, De Niro is your guy.)

Of course, playing two characters in the same film comes with its challenges. ABC also noted that to help audiences tell them apart, De Niro relied on prosthetics, makeup, and distinct vocal tones for each man. The film’s visual effects team also used some digital trickery for scenes where the two characters share the screen. 

But beyond the technical side, it’s the performances that really make or break it. De Niro told ABC, “One reason was it would justify my doing another gangster movie even more by taking on that challenge, if you will… It would be interesting to try it. I’ve not done anything like that.” Having him play both Costello and Genovese likely adds a unique layer to their on-screen tension; because at the end of the day, nobody can go head-to-head with De Niro like De Niro.

Recreating the 1950s, One Classic Car at a Time

To bring the 1950s to life, the production team transformed locations in Cincinnati and other parts of Ohio into period-accurate New York City. They didn’t just rely on CGI, either; many classic cars were brought in, and those that weren’t in perfect condition got vinyl wraps to make them look era-appropriate (per ABC). Because apparently, getting working vintage cars is just as tricky as pulling off a mob heist.

The cast also includes Debra Messing as Costello’s wife, Bobbie, and Kathrine Narducci as Genovese’s wife, Anna, adding emotional weight to the film by showcasing how their husbands’ criminal empires affected their personal lives.

Is “The Alto Knights” the Next “Goodfellas”?

With De Niro in a mob movie, comparisons to “Goodfellas” are inevitable. But early reviews have been mixed. Some critics praise De Niro’s dual performance, while others argue that splitting the focus between two lead characters makes the story feel a little uneven. The Guardian reviewer believed that the film struggled to balance both narratives, while The Associated Press pointed out that it doesn’t quite have the sharp pacing of “Goodfellas.” Fans will just have to give it a watch and decide for themselves.

Still, if you love mob dramas (or just De Niro doing what he does best) it’s probably worth a watch. Whether “The Alto Knights” becomes a new crime classic or just a fun showcase for De Niro’s talent, one thing is for sure: watching him go toe-to-toe with himself is definitely something you don’t see every day.

“The Alto Knights” releases in theaters March 21, 2025.