#MotionPicture - King Ivory

King Ivory is a hard-hitting American action thriller film directed and written by John Swab that shines a powerful spotlight on the fentanyl crisis gripping present-day America. The film premiered to strong reviews at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024 and is set for a wide theatrical release on November 14, 2025.

The story is a gritty, multifaceted exposé that weaves together several interconnected characters from diverse walks of life, including law enforcement officers, drug traffickers, addicts, and affected families. At the center is Tulsa drug cop Layne West (played by James Badge Dale), who is driven by a personal mission after his own son becomes addicted. Alongside his partner Ty and FBI agent Beatty, West confronts a complex web involving the Mexican cartel, local gang families, and the Indian Brotherhood cartel controlled from prison by Holt Lightfeather (Graham Greene).

The cast features notable actors including Ben Foster as George "Smiley" Greene, Michael Mando as Ramón Garza, Melissa Leo as Ginger Greene, and Graham Greene, lending depth to this powerful narrative that is based on extensive real-world research with law enforcement, traffickers, inmates, migrants, and addicts.

King Ivory portrays the opioid epidemic not just as a crime story but as a pervasive societal poison that affects every layer of the community. With a runtime of 130 minutes, the film promises an intense, emotionally charged experience that captures the brutal realities of fentanyl trafficking and its devastating impact on American families.

Produced on a modest budget under $7.5 million and filmed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, King Ivory combines authenticity with high-octane thrills to offer a poignant commentary on one of the most urgent public health crises today. The film also benefits from strong ensemble performances and a palpable emotional punch, making it one of the most anticipated crime dramas of 2025.