Directed by Tony Mucci

Tony Mucci’s MONEY TALK$ is a striking directorial debut, showcasing the raw potential of an emerging talent with a vision that combines grit and grace. As a director, Mucci’s ability to immerse the audience in the turbulent energy of 1981 New York City is remarkable. Drawing on his experience in the world of music videos, where he’s worked with high-profile artists like Justin Bieber and Juice WRLD, Mucci translates his visual acuity and rhythmic sensibility to a narrative medium, crafting a film that pulses with life and urgency.

As a director, Mucci’s ability to immerse the audience in the turbulent energy of 1981 New York City is remarkable.

The film’s structure is reminiscent of hyperlink cinema, deftly weaving together disparate lives: a boy at risk, a mother in need, a prostitute, a pimp—each linked not by choice, but by necessity. Mucci’s direction is confident, atmospheric, and unflinching, making full use of the city’s dark underbelly as both setting and metaphor.

The ensemble cast—featuring standout turns from David Mazouz, Zolee Griggs, Ethan Cutkosky, and Fredro Starr—brings weight and immediacy to the narrative. Francesca Scorsese, Sean Pertwee, and Bo Dietl add gravitas, while appearances from artists like 24kGoldn and Swoosh God infuse the film with a contemporary edge.

Visually, the film is steeped in grainy realism and neon-soaked shadows, capturing both the chaos and the quiet desperation of the era. The sound design and score match its intensity, amplifying tension as the bill changes hands, each transaction a new emotional beat.

Visually, the film is steeped in grainy realism and neon-soaked shadows, capturing both the chaos and the quiet desperation of the era.

Money Talk$ is a gripping, morally charged microcosm of a city in decay, elevated by its ambition, atmosphere, and ensemble. More than a crime drama, it’s a parable about survival and complicity, told through a single, dirty note.

MARGARET BROWN