Skip to content
MovieCove
The Super

The Super

The judge sentenced slumlord Louie Kritski to six months in his own building. He would have been better off in jail.

199195 minRMidcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Director
Rod Daniel
Starring
Joe Pesci, Vincent Gardenia, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Rubén Blades

Louie Kritski is a heartless landlord who has been so negligent in keeping up his ghetto apartment that he is threatened with jail time. The judge gives him another option -- he must live in his rat-infested hell hole until he brings it up to liveable standards.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Super?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Super streaming on Pluto TV (free), Shout! TV via Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Super?

The Super earns 4 badges, led by Box Office Flop and Hopeful.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Super worth watching?

The Super's Midcredits score is the 32nd percentile of all films, from 12K ratings across 4 sources. 34% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

32nd percentile

Better received than 32% of films

35th percentile among Comedy35th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)36th
Approval (how many liked it)29th

57 /100

36th percentile of all films

40th percentile among Comedy38th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

34% liked it

29th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 1990s
34% rated it 7–1066% rated it 1–6

Critics 0% · Audience 45%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

81st percentile

12K ratings across platforms

78th percentile among Comedy74th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$22M
Opening weekend$3.7M
Domestic gross$11M
Worldwide gross$11M

Returned 0.5× its budget — 74th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a formulaic comedy about a slumlord who learns a heartwarming lesson after being forced to live in his own building.

Fans praised

  • Joe Pesci's comedic timing and physical humor as a slumlord forced to live in his own building
  • Entertaining, rewatchable comedy with classic scenes at grocery and girlfriend's visit
  • Feel-good arc where a selfish landlord learns humanity from his tenants

Detractors panned

  • Unbelievable script with stereotypical minority tenants and no real slum problems
  • Pesci's shrill, one-note lead performance and unbearable character
  • Formulaic story with a heavy-handed, sitcom-level moral lesson

What stands out

PacingDivisive65

Brisk 86-minute runtime, but some sluggish middle sections

ActingDivisive55

Pesci's comic energy praised by fans; detractors call it shrill and one-note

HumorDivisive50

Slapstick and awkward situations; divisive on effectiveness

EndingDivisive45

Heartwarming but contrived resolution

CharactersDivisive40

Moral arc of slumlord vs. stereotypical tenants

Emotional impactDivisive40

Sentimental third act fails to land for many

Plot and storyDivisive35

Predictable premise of forced stay and redemption

OriginalityDivisive30

Derivative of The Landlord and other slumlord comedies

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Super like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmTriumphantContemplative
Heaviest: middle
Witty humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its material with a satirical edge, mocking the landlord's callousness while maintaining a warm heart as Louie is humbled.
The rideThe comedic tone shifts into a more reflective mood as Louie begins to understand the tenants' lives.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward beginning-middle-end structure as Louie is forced into the building and gradually changes.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a hopeful feeling as Louie's transformation suggests redemption and a better future.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeLouie, a slum landlord, is forced to live in his own rundown building and repair it, leading to a moral awakening and change. This fits the rebirth archetype with a redemption arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% (this title) · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsClass · 3% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeA thoughtless landlord is forced to live in the conditions he profits from, prompting a change of heart and an attempt to make amends.
StanceThe film ridicules slumlord greed and the absurdity of Louie being forced to live in his own building, pointing toward a moral correction.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Miles Goodman
Settinga rundown apartment block in New York City, with Louie's own home and his father's business as contrasting spaces.
MusicMiles Goodman's score likely underscores the comic-yet-heartfelt tone.

Content guide

Is The Super okay for kids?

R

The Super is rated R: “Rated R for language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at intense (75/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (13/100) and frightening material at minimal (8/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK15
  • CanadaR
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (32 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Super have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Super?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Joe Pesci
as Louie Kritski
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Vincent Gardenia
as Big Lou Kritski
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Madolyn Smith Osborne
as Naomi Bensinger
Rubén Blades
as Marlon
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stacey Travis
as Heather
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Carole Shelley
as Irene Kritski
Kenny Blank
as Tito
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Paul Benjamin
as Gilliam
Beatrice Winde
as Leotha
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Bhubeshi Bodibe
as Goode
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Super?

The closest match to The Super is Waffle Street (2015); both are films about high finance.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Super?

1.7K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: parent and child estranged. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.