The Irishman (2019)
Kernel Score: 86% · 7,379 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, History
Released: 2019-11-01
Runtime: 209 minutes
Is The Irishman worth watching?
Must-watch. A slow, melancholy gangster epic about a hitman looking back on a life of crime. At three and a half hours it's long, but the acting is superb and the tone is quietly devastating.
Watch it if you
- like Scorsese's crime films
- enjoy long, reflective dramas
- want great performances from veteran actors
Skip it if you
- dislike long films
- want action
Best for: Long weekend watch
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Irishman
- Stream: Netflix
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Pennsylvania, 1956. Frank Sheeran, a war veteran of Irish origin who works as a truck driver, accidentally meets mobster Russell Bufalino. Once Frank becomes his trusted man, Bufalino sends him to Chicago with the task of helping Jimmy Hoffa, a powerful union leader related to organized crime, with whom Frank will maintain a close friendship for nearly twenty years.
The Irishman parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Irishman is a lengthy R-rated crime drama about a hitman's decades-long ties to organized crime.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — As a mafia/hitman drama, the film includes murder and organized crime violence across decades.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Irishman
If you liked The Irishman, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Scorsese's classic of a mobster's rise and fall.
- The Godfather (1972) — 96%: The landmark crime epic of family and power.
- The Godfather Part II (1974) — 93%: Dark crime saga about power and cost.
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) — 85%: Another long Scorsese story of greed and betrayal.
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Gripping crime drama of deceit and loyalty.
- A Bronx Tale (1993) — 87%: A smaller, tender mob story about a boy choosing sides.
Director
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran
- Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa
- Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino
- Harvey Keitel as Angelo Bruno
- Ray Romano as Bill Bufalino
- Bobby Cannavale as Skinny Razor
- Anna Paquin as Older Peggy Sheeran
- Stephen Graham as Anthony 'Tony Pro' Provenzano
- Stephanie Kurtzuba as Irene Sheeran
- Jack Huston as Robert Kennedy / RFK
The Irishman FAQ
Is The Irishman worth watching?
Must-watch. A slow, melancholy gangster epic about a hitman looking back on a life of crime. At three and a half hours it's long, but the acting is superb and the tone is quietly devastating.
Where can I watch The Irishman?
In the US you can stream The Irishman on Netflix.
Is The Irishman OK for kids?
The Irishman is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Irishman is a lengthy R-rated crime drama about a hitman's decades-long ties to organized crime.
What movies are like The Irishman?
If you liked The Irishman, try GoodFellas, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and Killers of the Flower Moon.