'R Xmas Poster

'R Xmas 2001

★ 6.276 votes85 min📅 2001-12-14

"Dual identities, dueling dealers, and an overdose of greed."

In Abel Ferrara's gritty holiday thriller *R Xmas* (2001), the festive glow of New York City's streets clashes violently with the city's underworld as a ruthless drug dealer finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Director: Abel Ferrara

Cast

Drea De Matteo
Drea De Matteo
Wife
Lillo Brancato
Lillo Brancato
Husband
Ice-T
Ice-T
Kidnapper
Victor Argo
Victor Argo
Louie
Denia Brache
Denia Brache
Louie's Wife
Meredith Ostrom
Meredith Ostrom
Elf 1
Janis Corsair
Janis Corsair
Shopper 1
Gloria Irizarry
Gloria Irizarry
Aunt
Nelson Vasquez
Nelson Vasquez
Niece's Husband
Roman Rivera
Roman Rivera
Felipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'R Xmas (2001) about?

A New York drug dealer is abducted just before Christmas, forcing his wife to navigate a dangerous underworld to secure both the money and drugs needed for his release. With time running out and tensions escalating, the story becomes a brutal race against the holiday clock.

Who directed 'R Xmas?

Abel Ferrara, the acclaimed filmmaker known for his edgy, independent crime dramas like *Bad Lieutenant* and *The Funeral*.

Who stars in 'R Xmas?

The film features Drea De Matteo, Lillo Brancato, Ice-T, Victor Argo, and Denia Brache in pivotal roles.

Is 'R Xmas (2001) worth watching?

While it's not a mainstream holiday movie, *R Xmas* offers a gripping, atmospheric crime drama with strong performances and Ferrara's distinct vision. Fans of gritty urban thrillers will find much to appreciate, even if it's more bleak than festive.

How long is 'R Xmas?

The film runs 85 minutes, making it a tight, intense viewing experience.

🎥 Trailer

About 'R Xmas (2001)' — A Holiday Crime Thriller by Abel Ferrara

In Abel Ferrara's gritty holiday thriller *R Xmas* (2001), the festive glow of New York City's streets clashes violently with the city's underworld as a ruthless drug dealer finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse. When the tables turn and he becomes the victim of a brutal kidnapping, his wife scrambles against the clock to secure both the ransom money and the drugs her husband owes his captors—all before the Christmas bells ring. With tension simmering like a winter storm, Ferrara crafts a tense, morally complex tale where loyalty is a currency and survival means making brutal choices.

The film thrives on its raw, unflinching portrayal of crime and consequence, set against the glittering, deceptive backdrop of the holiday season. Drea De Matteo and Lillo Brancato deliver intense performances as the desperate wife and the trapped dealer, while Abel Ferrara's signature style infuses the story with a palpable sense of dread. A crime drama that's as much about the cost of greed as it is about redemption—or the lack thereof—*R Xmas* is a pulse-pounding descent into the heart of New York's darkest corners during the season of goodwill.