El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004)
A gritty East Los Angeles crime drama about ambition, family, and the brutal cost of chasing power in the drug underworld.
El padrino: The Latin Godfather - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Damian Chapa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Crime, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 27, 2004 (United States - R), January 10, 2005 (Germany - 18)
- Production Countries: United States of America
El padrino: The Latin Godfather - Plot
In the streets of East Los Angeles, Manny is a formidable drug dealer. Impressed by his extravagant lifestyle and prowess, his young son, Kilo, yearns to follow in his footsteps. Kilo resolves to learn how to prosper in the drug world, and his new life as a dealer begins. In a world where a man wants everything, he may end up with nothing.
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El padrino: The Latin Godfather - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Damian Chapa
Main Cast
- Damian Chapa
- Sal Lopez
- Emilio Rivera
- Jennifer Tilly
- Faye Dunaway
- Joanna Pacula
- Ismael 'East' Carlo
- Robert Wagner
- Gary Busey
- Stacy Keach
Writers
- Damian Chapa
- Troy Barker
- Carlton Holder
- Aaron Pugliese
El padrino: The Latin Godfather - FAQs
What is El padrino: The Latin Godfather about?
The film follows Kilo, a young man in East Los Angeles who idolizes his drug-dealing father Manny and decides to enter the criminal underworld himself. As Kilo rises through the ranks, he discovers that ambition and greed come at a devastating personal cost — in a world where wanting everything can leave you with nothing.
Who are the main actors in this film?
The cast is stacked with recognizable names. Damian Chapa leads as Kilo, joined by Faye Dunaway, Gary Busey, Jennifer Tilly, Stacy Keach, Robert Wagner, Joanna Pacula, Emilio Rivera, Sal Lopez, and Ismael 'East' Carlo. It's a surprisingly star-studded lineup for a gritty street crime drama.
Where can you stream El padrino: The Latin Godfather?
You can catch El padrino: The Latin Godfather on fuboTV as part of a subscription, or stream it for free with ads on The Roku Channel, VIX, and Tubi TV. Plenty of options to choose from depending on what services you already have.
Did Damian Chapa direct and star in the film?
Yes — Damian Chapa wore multiple hats on this project. He directed the film, co-wrote the screenplay alongside Troy Barker, Carlton Holder, and Aaron Pugliese, and also plays the lead role of Kilo. It's very much a personal passion project that he shepherded from script to screen.
What is the age rating for this movie?
El padrino: The Latin Godfather is rated R, which makes sense given its unflinching look at drug dealing, street violence, and organized crime in East Los Angeles. It's strictly for adult audiences who can handle gritty, mature content.
Is El padrino: The Latin Godfather based on a true story?
The film is not based on a specific true story, but it draws heavily on the real culture and street dynamics of East Los Angeles. Director Damian Chapa crafted a fictional narrative rooted in the very real world of Latino gang life and the drug trade that shaped communities in that area.
What similar movies would fans of this film enjoy?
If you liked this one, check out Empire (2002) and State Property (2002) for similar street-crime energy. The Enforcer (2022), Fast Charlie (2023), and Shade (2003) also hit comparable notes of gritty action and criminal drama. Any of those should scratch the same itch.
How long is El padrino: The Latin Godfather?
The film runs 2 hours and 8 minutes — a bit longer than your average crime thriller. That extra runtime gives the story room to develop Kilo's arc from wide-eyed admirer of his father's lifestyle to someone fully immersed in, and ultimately consumed by, the criminal world.
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