Holy Rollers

Set in the late 1990s, the film follows Sam Gold during 1998 as he enters a criminal network that reshapes his life. The era’s atmosphere and fashion reflect a pre-digital, pre-smartphone world where undercover work and cross-continental smuggling happen with surprising ease. The epilogue notes the aftermath through 1999, including prison terms and the end of the operation.

The story unfolds in Borough Park, Brooklyn, a tight-knit Orthodox Jewish enclave. It also travels to Amsterdam for drug pickups and to Atlantic City, then returns to New York City's criminal underworld. The locations contrast devout family life with high-risk illegal activity, underscoring the tension between faith and crime.

💸 Temptation

Sam is drawn by the prospect of quick money despite the moral cost. The easy profits from trafficking ecstasy pull him away from the yeshiva and his family’s expectations. The lure tests loyalty to his community and to his own ethical boundaries.

🧭 Identity

Sam struggles to reconcile his Orthodox upbringing with a new criminal identity. The line between faith and crime blurs as he navigates lies, disguise, and changed clothing to hide his transformation. His choices redefine who he is within his family and community.

👪 Family and Community

The community’s expectations and the family’s reputation drive Sam to conceal his activities. When his parents exile him, the film shows the cost of breaking with tradition. Yet, the story ends with a bittersweet reunion that suggests forgiveness and reintegration.