All 23 Abel Ferrara Movies, Ranked (2024)

Abel Ferrara is a prolific American filmmaker known for his raw and uncompromising style. With a career spanning over four decades, Ferrara has directed a diverse range of films, from gritty crime dramas to surrealistic horror flicks. In this article, we rank all 23 of his movies, taking a deep dive into his long-lasting filmography.

From the start of his career with movies like The Driller Killer and Ms. 45 to his later work that includes Siberia and Pasolini, Ferrara's gritty, low-budget style has evolved over time but stayed true to its independent roots. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Abel Ferrara or just discovering his filmography, this ranking of his films provides an insightful look into one of America's unique and talented filmmakers.

23 Padre Pio

Padre Pio sees Shia LaBeouf in the role of the famous Italian priest Padre Pio. The movie also stars Cristina Chiriac, Marco Leonardi, and Asia Argento. At the end of World War I, Padre Pio begins his experience as a priest in a far-off Capuchin monastery while the political tensions in the country start to explode.

The movie can be considered a lesser-known and a secondary achievement for the Italian-American filmmaker. Even though the themes and topic of the movie are fascinating, Padre Pio is characterized by an average performance of Ferrara behind the camera. At the same time, LaBeouf has his moments but cannot fully convey his character.

Related: The Best Films With Religious Themes​​​​​​

22 Cat Chaser

Cat Chaser is based on the homonymous novel by Elmore Leonard and follows a retired American soldier named George Moran (Peter Weller) who becomes entangled with Mary DeBoya (Kelly McGillis) the wife of a former Dominican Republic general. The movie also stars Tomás Milián as the general Andres DeBoya.

Cat Chaser blends interesting elements of crime, politics, and romance. The film also features a solid cast, with Weller delivering a strong performance as the conflicted and haunted protagonist and McGillis bringing depth and complexity to her role as the enigmatic and alluring Mary DeBoya.

21 'R Xmas

Taking place over the course of a single day, on Christmas Eve, 'R Xmas follows the story of a wealthy couple, the Rodriguezes, whose daughter has been kidnaped. The kidnapers demand a ransom, and the couple must come up with the money before it's too late. The movie stars Drea de Matteo, Lillo Brancato Jr, and Ice-T.

The film is gritty and realistic, with a raw, documentary-style feel. The performances by de Matteo and Brancato are excellent, and they effectively convey the desperation and anguish of their characters as they struggle to come up with the money to save their daughter.

20 Go Go Tales

Go Go Tales takes place over the course of a single night in a struggling New York City strip club called Ray Ruby's Paradise. Ray, the club's owner, is struggling to keep the business afloat while dealing with a host of eccentric employees and customers. Go Go Tales features Willem Dafoe, Bob Hoskins, Matthew Modine, and Asia Argento.

The film is a quirky and humorous exploration of the seedy world of strip clubs and the colorful characters who inhabit them. The performances by the ensemble cast are excellent, with Dafoe and Hoskins, in particular, delivering standout performances.

19 Zeros and Ones

Starring Ethan Hawke as an American soldier named JJ who is stationed in Rome, Zeros and Ones is a surreal and fragmented exploration of war, memory, and identity. While it may not be Ferrara's most accessible film, it is a testament to his willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of filmmaking.

The film's approach to storytelling is unconventional, as it jumps back and forth in time and often blurs the line between reality and fantasy. Simultaneously, Hawke delivers a solid performance as JJ, capturing the character's sense of confusion and disorientation as he navigates the complexities of the story.

18 The Driller Killer

The Driller Killer was written by Nicholas St. John, and it sees Abel Ferrara starring in the role of a struggling artist named Reno Miller, who descends into madness and begins murdering people with a portable drill. The Driller Killer has gained a cult following over the years and is considered a notable example of the exploitation genre.

The film exposes a gritty and raw portrayal of the urban decay of late 70s New York and features excessive violence and gore scenes. The Driller Killer is not for everyone, just like any other Ferrara movie, but it's a great introduction to his cinematic vision.

17 The Blackout

The Blackout stars Matthew Modine, Beatrice Dalle, Claudia Schiffer and Dennis Hopper in a psychological thriller that follows a successful writer named Matty (Modine) who begins to experience intense hallucinations and paranoia after a night of heavy drinking. The Blackout will appeal to fans of Ferrara's work or those looking for a film that pushes the boundaries of the thriller genre.

The Blackout's use of hallucination and psychological terror is perfectly constructed to create a sense of unease and disorientation in the audience. At the same time, the film's dreamlike visuals and surreal imagery add to its sense of unpredictability and tension.

Related: 12 Best Psychological Thrillers, Ranked

16 Mary

Mary tells the story of an actress named Mary (Juliette Binoche) who goes to Jerusalem after shooting a movie about the life of Jesus. In the meantime, the director and actor who played Jesus (Matthew Modine) goes back to New York to promote his movie. The controversy is around the corner.

The film is slow-paced and introspective, with a strong emphasis on character development and emotional depth. The performances by Binoche and Modine are both excellent in expressing the screenplay. The film is also visually striking, with beautiful cinematography and a strong sense of atmosphere. Fans of slow-burning character dramas with strong performances should appreciate it.

15 Dangerous Game

Dangerous Game stars Harvey Keitel, Madonna, and James Russo, and it follows a film director named Eddie Israel (Keitel) who becomes increasingly obsessed with his work, causing his personal life to unravel. The movie explores the darker aspects of the creative process

Keitel is once again amazing in his performance, which is both captivating and unsettling. He captures the character's self-destructive tendencies and intense artistic vision with nuance and depth. The film's exploration of the blurred lines between reality and fiction is also thought-provoking, with Ferrara and screenwriter Nicholas St. John creating a tense and immersive atmosphere that draws the audience into Eddie's increasingly unhinged world.

14 New Rose Hotel

New Rose Hotel brings you in the near future. It follows two corporate operatives, Fox (Christopher Walken) and X (Willem Dafoe), who a mysterious Japanese corporation hires to lure a top scientist away from his current employer and bring him to their client. The operatives hatch a plan to seduce the scientist through the call-girl Sandii (Asia Argento).

The film is moody, atmospheric, and visually striking, with a cool, futuristic aesthetic. The performances of the lead actors are strong, especially Dafoe and Walken, who are both excellent in their roles as calculating corporate operatives. Asia Argento is also effective in her role. Forgotten gem.

13 Body Snatchers

Body Snatchers stars an ensemble cast that includes Gabrielle Anwar, Terry Kinney, Meg Tilly, and Forest Whitaker. The movie is a loose adaptation of the homonymous novel by Jack Finney and follows a family who moves to a military base, only to discover that an alien invasion is taking place.

Body Snatchers is characterized by a tense atmosphere, impressive practical effects, and Ferrara's signature blend of violence and social commentary. In fact, the effective use of practical effects, with the alien pod replicas and the transformation of the characters into emotionless clones, is one of the strength of the movie.

12 Siberia

Siberia stars Willem Dafoe as a man named Clint who operates a bar in a remote part of Siberia. The film is a surreal and dreamlike exploration of identity, memory, and desire. Siberia is a visually striking and thought-provoking film showcasing Ferrara and Dafoe's talents.

The film is shot in a stunningly beautiful location, with the snowy landscape of Siberia providing a stark contrast to the protagonist's internal struggles. At the same time, Dafoe delivers a strong performance as Clint, capturing the character's sense of isolation and detachment from the world around him. Siberia is a contemplative movie that completely immerses the audience in its story.

11 Fear City

Fear City stars Tom Berenger, Billy Dee Williams, and Melanie Griffith, and it is set in New York City. The movie follows a team of private detectives who are hired to protect the city's exotic dancers from a serial killer who is targeting them.

One of the standout features of Fear City is its strong cast, with Berenger, Griffith, and Williams delivering solid performances. The film also features some memorable action sequences and an entertaining and nostalgic crime thriller screenplay that delivers plenty of atmosphere. The way Abel Ferrara depicts New York is on another level, and Fear City is another example of that.

Related: Best Crime Thriller Movies of the 2010s, Ranked

10 Welcome to New York

Welcome to New York is a fictionalized retelling of the 2011 arrest and subsequent trial of former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on charges of sexual assault. The movie stars an ensemble cast that includes Gérard Depardieu, Jacqueline Bisset, Marie Mouté, and Drena De Niro.

The film's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of the abuse of power and the complicity of those in positions of authority. It shows how the rich and powerful are often able to use their wealth and influence to escape justice and how the media can often perpetuate harmful stereotypes and narratives.

9 Pasolini

Pasolini stars Willem Dafoe as the famed Italian filmmaker and poet Pier Paolo Pasolini. The film chronicles the last days of Pasolini's life, leading up to his brutal murder in 1975. The film explores Pasolini's artistic vision and his controversial views on politics, sexuality, and society, which often put him at odds with the Italian establishment.

Dafoe delivers a remarkable performance as Pasolini, capturing the filmmaker's passion, intellect, and revolutionary spirit. Ferrara's direction is masterful, evoking the gritty, politically charged atmosphere of 1970s Italy. The film is also visually stunning, with its use of vivid colors and dreamlike imagery. Underrated.

8 4:44 Last Day on Earth

4:44 Last Day on Earth takes place in a New York City apartment on the last day before the world is set to end. Willem Dafoe and Shanyn Leigh play a couple who spend their final hours together, grappling with their own mortality and the impending destruction of the world around them.

The film is a slow-paced, meditative exploration of life, death, and the human condition. The film is also visually striking, with beautiful cinematography by Ken Kelsch. Ferrara effectively captures the sense of impending doom and the quiet desperation of the characters as they confront their own mortality.

7 China Girl

China Girl is set in New York City and follows Tony (played by Richard Panebianco), a small-time Italian-American hoodlum, who falls in love with Tye (played by Sari Chang), a Chinese immigrant. However, the gang they belong to are arch enemies.

China Girl injects a romantic essence to Ferrara's filmography, without forgetting to blend with it elements of crime and social commentary. The movie is amazing in its strong sense of atmosphere, with Ferrara and cinematographer Bojan Bazelli capturing the gritty and colorful streets of New York City with skill and flair. The neon lights are magnificent and part of the aesthetic of the movie.

6 Tommaso

Tommaso is a semi-autobiographical exploration of Ferrara's own life and struggles with addiction. It stars Willem Dafoe as a filmmaker named Tommaso, who is living in Rome with his young wife Nikki (Cristina Chiriac) and daughter Deedee (Anna Ferrara). Tommaso is a powerful and deeply personal film showing Ferrara's cinema's introspective side.

Ferrara's direction is also excellent, as he uses the setting of Rome to create a dreamlike atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. At the same time, Ferrara's approach is compassionate and non-judgmental, and he never glorifies or romanticizes his protagonist's struggles.

5 The Funeral

The Funeral sees three brothers in the 1930s who come together for the funeral of one of their own, and soon find themselves caught up in a web of violence and betrayal. The movie features one of the biggest cast in Ferrara's filmography, including Christopher Walken, Chriss Penn, Isabella Rossellini, Vincent Gallo, and Benicio Del Toro.

Ferrara brings the audience in its evocative and immersive depiction of 1930s New York, thanks to cinematographer Ken Kelsch's sense of grit and grime. The film's performances are also excellent, with Walken, Penn, and Gallo as the three brothers playing their characters perfectly.

4 Ms. 45

Ms. 45 tells the story of Thana (Zoë Lund), a mute seamstress who is raped twice in one day and subsequently turns into a vigilante, seeking revenge on the men who have wronged her. Ms. 45 is often cited as a feminist classic, exploring themes of sexual violence, misogyny, and female empowerment.

This movie is extremely stylish and well-crafted, with its tense screenplay and atmospheric scenes. Exploring the darker and more provocative side of cinema, like only Ferrara can do, Ms. 45 still remains one of his best movies to date and a vivid depiction of righteous revenge.