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In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, the “glorious,” “classic” mob epic that somehow feels both iconic and unsettling.

From razor-blade-sliced garlic in prison to cocaine-fuelled paranoia and helicopter chases, we unpack the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a kid who always wanted to be a gangster, and ended up a broke, bored “schnuck” in witness protection. We explore the film’s unforgettable characters (Jimmy the Gent, Tommy the loose cannon, and Karen, our MVP), iconic scenes (Funny how?), and the uneasy tension between glamour and brutality. Expect deep dives into the insular world of the mafia, the real Lufthansa heist, cult dynamics, toxic masculinity, and why this isn’t actually the bro movie some people think it is. We also what our mafia nicknames would be and discuss all the cameos and familiar faces.

Content & Spoiler Warning

This episode contains discussion of graphic violence (shootings, beatings, strangulation), drug abuse (especially cocaine), emotional and domestic abuse, and gaslighting. It also includes full spoilers for Goodfellas and references to other crime and horror media. 

Palate Cleanser

After all that coke-fuelled chaos and mob violence:

• Company Retreat (Jury Duty Season 2) – a mockumentary where (almost) everyone is in on the joke. “Delightful,” absurd, and a much-needed reset. 
• Saying “Hey—oh!” like you’re in The Sopranos (very quotable). 

Recommendations

Mafia & Crime:

• The Godfather, The Sopranos, A Bronx Tale 
• The Prince of Providence  by Mike Stanton for corruption in Providence.
• Mob Wives (for chaotic reality TV energy) 
• Crime Town podcast – organised crime beyond the usual cities (and dedicated to Annie’s uncle)
• Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi (the book about Henry Hill’s life that inspired Goodfellas) 

True Crime & Culture:

• Adolescence and Inside the Manosphere (Louis Theroux) for confronting toxic masculinity 
• Sweet Bobby – both Goodfellas and this have witness protection (or do they?)  

Films & TV:

• The Night Of for addiction when incarcerated
• Stir of Echoes – underrated Kevin Bacon thriller featuring Illeana Douglas, Tommy’s girlfriend in Goodfellas
• Stand By Me for kids that find a body
• The Studio for a Scorsese cameo 

Unexpected Connections:

• Mean Girls – because Tommy is basically Regina George with a gun 
• Parks and Recreation – questionable interior design parallels 
• Sing – for a very different “My Way” experience 
• When Harry met Sally for another movie with the director's mom.

Homework: 

Watch Jurassic Park – is it horror? Maybe.  We’re continuing with a ‘90s classic that helped shape our love of film (and Ryan Coogler’s), with a surprising connections to Goodfellas (hi Samuel L. Jackson).

And after that: Devil in the White City by Erik Larson 

Keep your temper. Trust your gut. Don’t do coke. Don’t piss off psychopaths. And don’t marry into the mafia. 

We’ll see you next time on Drawn to Darkness.

Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).