Fresh Kills

Fresh Kills reaches through the established perimeters of a well-known genre to extract a sympathetic, gut-wrenching, and at times abrasive look into the lives of the typically obscured wives and daughters of the mob. Well written, well cast, with convincing production design and on location shooting, Fresh Kills fairly exhales the atmosphere of 1980/1990s Staten Island, NY. First-time writer/director Jennifer Esposito handles the reins with aptitude and steers the narrative in a way that invites the viewer to not only empathize with the women on screen but to relate to the challenges they face in bearing the burden of their predetermined roles. Authentic performances by the cast flesh out the on-screen characters and leave indelible impressions of their existence that won't fade when the credits roll. Fresh Kills is a notable film. Not perfect- but good. Very, very good.

Great movie!! I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but being a big fan of mafia type movies and books I realized I'm seeing what the wife goes through but more so what the kids see it really interesting take I've never seen anything like this I love it and my wife who isn't the biggest fan like me when it comes to mafia stuff loved the look through the woman's eye it a movie we will watch forever like a goodfellas or sopranos great job Jennifer I look forward to seeing more of your work. I love the dads part but Rose and the mom were it for me such a great look into what the families go through.

FRESH KILLS is the BEST film I have seen on the festival circuit in the last 15 years. A gritty, gut wrenching story about two sisters that are stuck in a life they didn't choose... Their father's mob world. BUT, It's NOT a Mob film.

The depth of character these two young actors (Emily Bader & Odessa A'zion) share in their performances, explodes from the script on to the screen, via the expert direction of Esposito. Like all classic Independent Films, FRESH KILLS is intimate and raw, while bursting at the seams with story, content and style. It should be on everyone's must see list for 2024 and beyond!

The film "Fresh Kills" delves into the criminal underworld of late 1980s Staten Island, with a focus on the women who hold pivotal roles behind the powerful mafia kingpin Joe (Domenick Lambardozzi). Directed by Jennifer Esposito, this award-winning drama unfolds through the perspectives of three women: Francine (Jennifer Esposito): As the devoted yet imperfect matriarch of the Larusso family, Francine's loyalty to the criminal world remains steadfast, even as she grapples with her own imperfections. Connie (Odessa A'zion): The brazen and outspoken daughter unexpectedly becomes entangled in the mafia's affairs. Her role proves essential to the unfolding narrative. The youngest daughter, Rose (Emily Bader), is reserved and discovers her father's criminal ties. Her journey from innocence to awareness becomes a central arc in the film.

As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, "Fresh Kills" weaves a gripping tale of crime, family dynamics, and consequences.

Honestly though, the mob stuff felt like the trappings around the real heart of it (to me), what do you do when you feel alone in the midst of family; when everything you know is isolating, when the people who are supposed to be your rock don't understand or relate to you? The undertones of feeling trapped in your life and just needing to run, to get out, hung strong with me. This was so well done, felt so real and lived in. Phenomenal acting, writing, directing, cinematography, wardrobe, everything. It's a drama, not an action movie, and there is no thriller aspect here, just real life trauma.