King of the South (2025) is a gritty crime saga chronicling the rise of a powerful figure who transforms from a street hustler into a feared and respected kingpin. Mahershala Ali stars as Marcus Cole, a man driven by ambition, survival, and a determination to claim control of the South’s underworld.

As Marcus builds his empire, he faces betrayals, shifting alliances, and the heavy burden of the crown he seeks to wear. Trevante Rhodes plays his fiercely loyal right-hand man, while Zoe Saldana portrays a journalist whose relationship with Marcus forces her to choose between exposing his empire or protecting the man she can’t resist. Giancarlo Esposito brings gravitas as a rival kingpin turned mentor, whose guidance blurs the line between ally and enemy.

With themes of power, legacy, and the cost of ambition, King of the South delivers high-stakes drama, intense action, and layered performances. At its core, the film asks: can a man rule the streets without losing his soul—or is the throne itself cursed?