West Side Story
Movie, 2021, The 2020s, Set in New York, 1957
West Side Story is #33 of 35 in release order and #33 of 35 in chronological order in the Steven Spielberg.
The story
Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
West Side Story recap
West Side Story (2021) returns to the 1957 Broadway musical, with rival New York street gangs and two lovers from opposite sides. Steven Spielberg directs a new adaptation by Tony Kushner, set in the slums of San Juan Hill on Manhattan's Upper West Side as they are demolished for Lincoln Center. The white Jets, led by Riff (Mike Faist), fight the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by the boxer Bernardo (David Alvarez). Riff's friend Tony (Ansel Elgort), on parole after a year in prison for nearly killing a boy, works at a drugstore owned by Valentina (Rita Moreno), a new role created for Moreno, who won an Oscar as Anita in the 1961 film. At a dance, Tony meets Bernardo's sister María (Rachel Zegler), and they fall in love at once. Bernardo's girlfriend Anita (Ariana DeBose) argues with him over life in America, and the gangs set a rumble. María makes Tony promise to stop it. West Side Story is Spielberg's first musical, after Ready Player One and before The Fabelmans.
West Side Story ending explained
West Side Story ends with Tony shot dead. At the rumble Bernardo stabs Riff, and Tony kills Bernardo. María forgives Tony, but after the Jets assault Anita when she comes with a message, Anita says María is dead. Tony runs into the street calling for Chino, Bernardo's friend, to kill him; he sees María alive just before Chino shoots him. María turns the gun on both gangs, then drops it, and Jets and Sharks carry Tony's body together. DeBose won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the same role Moreno had won for.
Post-credits scenes
No. West Side Story has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch West Side Story
West Side Story is streaming on Disney+, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and FXNow in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 91%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Ready Player One, before The Fabelmans.
- Chronological order: after Ready Player One, before The Fabelmans.
Cast
- Ansel Elgort as Tony
- Rachel Zegler as María
- Ariana DeBose as Anita
- David Alvarez as Bernardo
- Mike Faist as Riff
- Brian d'Arcy James as Officer Krupke
- Corey Stoll as Lieutenant Schrank
- Rita Moreno as Valentina
- Josh Rivera as Chino
- Ana Isabelle as Rosalía
- Ilda Mason as Luz
- iris menas as Anybodys
Directed by Steven Spielberg.