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The king of low scale, stripped down, brutal and visceral crime epics filmmaker John Swab is back and this time he’s taking the war on drugs and cartels head on in his latest bullet ripping thriller King Ivory. Swab never shies away from the grim realities of this world and sometimes it takes a lot of pathos to survive a viewing from one of his gravely thrillers. Last year saw swab tackling the world of black ops mercenaries in the exceptional Frank Grillo led Long Gone Heroes and now it’s veteran actor James Badge Dale (13 Hours) headlining an uncompromising crime flick where honor and loyalty are in short supply, but bullets are the new currency. Check out the unflinching new trailer below!
Based upon extensive research with law enforcement, gangs, inmates, migrants, and addicts, an exposé on fentanyl trafficking, and its effect on all walks of life.
Swab is a master and delivering bruising drama with violent and raw action and here he helms from a script that he also wrote. Dale headlines in front of a sensational supporting cast that includes Ben Foster, Michael Mando along with the late, great Academy Award Nominee Graham Greene and Academy Award Winner Melisa Leo who also starred in Swab’s Long Gone Heroes.
This film, like so many in Swab’s filmography arsenal is an acquired taste as I said that they are usually a tough watch, but I am here to say that they are worth it in the end as you get savage and raw cinema at its most lethal. King Ivory looks no different, and Dale is always solid in any film that he is featured in, and 13 Hours is one of my all-time favorite military thrillers. Ben Foster is no exception and here he looks to turn in a scathing performance that should truly showcase his onscreen talents.
King Ivory In Theaters November 14, 2025
I actually had the honor in interviewing one of my favorite character actors Juan Pablo Raba (SIX) for his role in Long Gone Heroes last year and we talked extensively about how Swab works and the type of movie to expect when he’s behind the camera. Check out that exclusive interview below!
