Casino, the classic crime drama from director Martin Scorsese, is experiencing renewed attention as it climbs to #8 on HBO Max’s streaming charts in the United States, thanks in part to Sharon Stone‘s acclaimed performance in Casino streaming success. Despite praise for Stone’s portrayal and her award nominations, this resurgence brings back questions about why the film did not push her career to greater heights after its release.
Casino remains a standout film in Scorsese’s celebrated body of work, debuting in 1995 to both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film earned $116 million at the box office against a budget estimated between $40 and $50 million, securing a 79% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, some critics have long argued that Casino did not reach the revered status of Scorsese’s earlier classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, or Goodfellas, often noting how Casino’s themes, story structure, and even cast overlap with Goodfellas. Both movies are adapted from true-crime books by Nicholas Pileggi and follow the rise and collapse of organized crime figures, featuring first-person narration and starring the legendary Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
Sharon Stone’s Breakout Role and Lasting Frustration
Sharon Stone stood out among the ensemble for her intense, layered performance as Ginger McKenna, a cunning Las Vegas con artist. Stone’s work captured the attention of both audiences and award committees: she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and took home the Golden Globe. However, Stone herself has reflected on the unexpected consequences of the role for her own career, stating:
“I was shocked that I didn’t get to continue to work well, because I did everything to be my very best.”
—Sharon Stone, Actress
This remark speaks to a sense of subdued frustration—despite her efforts and the film’s high profile, Stone’s subsequent roles did not maintain the momentum she hoped for. This disconnect between achievement and recognition remains a talking point as Casino enjoys renewed streaming success.
The Story Behind Casino
Set in 1960s Las Vegas, Casino follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro, who manages the Tangiers casino while secretly working for the Mafia, referred to as the Mob. Rothstein maintains control but is constantly monitored by enforcer Nicky Santoro, portrayed by Joe Pesci. As the story progresses, Rothstein faces mounting challenges from the gaming commission due to his criminal connections and becomes romantically entangled with Ginger, a volatile grifter linked to her former lover and manipulator, Lester Diamond—a role taken on by James Woods.
The chaotic mix of personal and criminal conflicts spirals into violence, betrayals, and mounting body counts in the surrounding Nevada desert. This narrative dramatizes the dismantling of organized crime’s grip on Las Vegas at the close of its golden age.
Real Events, Fictional Names
Casino’s plot threads closely mirror actual events from the 1970s and 1980s, but the names were changed for legal reasons. Sam “Ace” Rothstein takes inspiration from Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Ginger McKenna is based on Geri McGee, while Nicky Santoro is a fictionalized Tony “The Ant” Spilotro. The supporting cast boasts icons like Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, and Frank Vincent—who notably found some poetic justice onscreen after his violent encounter with Pesci’s character in Goodfellas.
Scorsese’s film achieves its realism in part because of these tight links to people, places, and events that defined an era of Las Vegas, reinforcing why titles such as Casino and Goodfellas remain enduring points of comparison among fans and critics alike.
Continuing Impact and Current Streaming Popularity
Today, Casino’s reappearance among top streaming films—amid competition from new releases like Mountainhead and Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster, as well as the Hunger Games franchise—demonstrates the enduring fascination with Scorsese’s crime stories and the talent involved. With Sharon Stone’s acclaimed performance in Casino streaming success gaining new viewers, her comments on her career trajectory are receiving renewed attention, prompting discussions about the challenges actors continue to face in Hollywood after career-defining roles.
As Casino continues to attract both longtime fans and new audiences on HBO Max, its themes of ambition, betrayal, and loss resonate just as much today, ensuring that the film, and the key performances from actors like Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, remain central to conversations about crime cinema. The film’s influence is a testament to its storytelling and the real life stories that inspired it—while Stone’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of how even celebrated work does not always guarantee lasting rewards in Hollywood.
