Carlito's Way (1993) is a crime drama directed by Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante, a former drug kingpin trying to go straight after being released from prison, but who gets pulled back into the New York City underworld by his lawyer David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) and old associates. The film, based on novels by Edwin Torres, is known for its stylish direction, action sequences, and themes of loyalty, destiny, and the struggle for redemption, co-starring Penelope Ann Miller as Carlito's love interests. Carlito Brigante vows to leave his criminal past behind and earn enough money to move to the Bahamas with his girlfriend, Gail, but his plans are complicated by his lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld, and a young gangster named Benny Blanco.
Characters
Carlito Brigante is the fictional protagonist of the crime films Carlito's Way (1993) and its prequel Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005), portrayed by Al Pacino and Jay Hernandez, respectively. A Nuyorican ex-drug lord, he is released from prison determined to leave his criminal past behind and retire to the Caribbean, but his old life, including his lawyer David Kleinfeld and rival Benny Blanco, pulls him back into a world of violence and betrayal. The character is based on the novels After Hours and Carlito's Way by Edwin Torres. Carlito Brigante is a deeply tragic and complex anti-hero. He is a charismatic, shrewd, and weary ex-con attempting to reform, but ultimately doomed by his street-level fatalism and unyielding loyalty to the people around him.
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Release Date 2026.06.13 / Last Updated 2026.06.13