A film hailed by critics and fans as featuring Leonardo DiCaprio's greatest ever performance has just landed on Amazon Prime for UK audiences. Over a decade since its explosive debut, Martin Scorsese's 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is now available to stream, offering a fresh chance to witness the actor's iconic portrayal of corrupt stockbroker Jordan Belfort.
The Film That Defined a Career
Released in 2013, this comedy crime drama was immediately recognised as a career highlight for the then-39-year-old DiCaprio. While he had already starred in classics like Titanic and The Departed, many believed this role would finally secure him his first Academy Award. The film is a frenetic adaptation of Belfort's 2007 memoir, charting his rise to fraudulent millions and a lifestyle of extreme debauchery on Wall Street.
Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, the cast is a powerhouse ensemble. DiCaprio stars as the hedonistic Belfort, with Jonah Hill playing his business partner Donnie Azoff. The film also features memorable turns from Matthew McConaughey, the late Rob Reiner, Joanna Lumley, and a breakthrough performance from Margot Robbie.
Acclaim, Backlash and Legacy
Despite being showered with five Oscar nominations—including for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor—the film famously left the ceremony empty-handed. However, its commercial success was undeniable. With a global box office haul of $392 million against a $100 million budget, it remains Scorsese's highest-grossing film to date. DiCaprio did win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his all-in performance.
The film's legacy is complex. It holds a strong 79% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 83%. Critics like Brent Hankin praised DiCaprio's creation of "one of the most charismatic, despicable, offensive and captivating characters to ever appear on screen." Yet, the film faced significant backlash for its perceived glamorisation of Belfort's crimes, a point underscored by the real broker's cameo. Scorsese was even heckled at an Academy screening, with one attendee calling the film "disgusting."
DiCaprio's Defence of the Story
In response to the criticism, DiCaprio urged viewers to see the full picture. "I hope people understand we're not condoning this behaviour, that we're indicting it," he said at the time. He described the project as a cautionary tale about the "intoxicating" lust for wealth and power, magnified on a massive scale, particularly after the 2008 financial crisis.
For UK subscribers, 'The Wolf of Wall Street' now offers a chance to revisit—or discover for the first time—a defining cinematic moment of the 2010s. Whether viewed as a masterclass in acting, a scorching satire, or a controversial portrait, its arrival on Amazon Prime ensures DiCaprio's most electrifying performance is just a click away.
