The Kitchen (2019 film)
The Kitchen is a 2019 American crime film written and directed by Andrea Berloff in her debut behind the camera. It’s based on a Vertigo comic miniseries by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle and stars Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss as three wives in 1970s Hell’s Kitchen who take over their husbands’ mob after they’re arrested.
Set in 1978, Kathy, Ruby, and Claire are married to members of the O’Carroll crime family. When the FBI pounces on their husbands, the women decide to run the family themselves. They turn a profit by taking over protection money, building projects, and winning the trust of their neighbors, but they must deal with rival gangs and shifting loyalties. As power struggles unfold, relationships and betrayals intensify, and the women fight to stay in control. In the end, Kathy and Ruby join forces, planning to expand their territory.
Production began in spring 2018 in New York City, and the film was released on August 9, 2019 by Warner Bros. It had a $38 million budget and grossed about $16 million, making it a box‑office disappointment.
The Kitchen received mostly negative reviews from critics. It holds around 24% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 35, with critics often calling the plot convoluted, though Melissa McCarthy’s performance drew some praise. Audience surveys gave it a middle‑of‑the‑road grade.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:09 (CET).