Film Review

‘King Ivory’: Must-See Portrait of US’s Fentanyl Scourge

“King Ivory” illustrates fentanyl’s terrifying death-grip on the United States and how law enforcement can’t change the situation.
‘King Ivory’: Must-See Portrait of US’s Fentanyl Scourge
Drug cop Layne West (James Badge Dale), in "King Ivory." Universal Pictures
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
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R | 2h 10m | Crime, Thriller | 2025

“King ivory” is one of the many slang terms for fentanyl, the synthetic drug that’s spurred, in the United States, the deadliest drug epidemic in human history and become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. Rock stars Prince and Tom Petty, and rappers Coolio and Mac Miller all died from Fentanyl overdoses.

Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.
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