Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It follows stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s rise, excesses, and legal downfall on Wall Street, based on his memoir.

What it is

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It dramatizes the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who built the fraudulent firm Stratton Oakmont and lived a life of extreme excess before being brought down by law enforcement.

Why it matters

The film was widely noted for its energetic direction and performances, especially Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Belfort. It sparked discussion for its provocative tone and extreme depictions of greed and corruption, becoming a landmark in Scorsese’s filmography.

Key details

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, with Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie in supporting roles. The film runs 179 minutes and was adapted from Belfort’s memoir by Terence Winter. It was released on December 25, 2013.

In short

  • The film is based on Jordan Belfort’s true story.
  • It was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio.
  • The story includes fraud, drug use, and lavish spending.
  • The film has a running time of 179 minutes.
Canadian angle

The film is widely available to Canadian audiences through rotating streaming, rental, and digital purchase options, though specific platforms vary over time.

Quick questions

What is The Wolf of Wall Street about?
It follows stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s rise on Wall Street, the growth of his firm Stratton Oakmont, and his eventual downfall amid fraud, excess, and law-enforcement scrutiny.
Who directed The Wolf of Wall Street?
Martin Scorsese directed the film.
Is The Wolf of Wall Street based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir and dramatizes events from his real life as a stockbroker.

Sources

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993846/
    Supports: Director, cast, and plot synopsis; identifies the film as based on the true story of Jordan Belfort.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wolf_of_wall_street_2013
    Supports: Plot synopsis and runtime.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-wolf-of-wall-street
    Supports: Director, cast, release date, and story basis in Jordan Belfort’s real life.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wolf_of_Wall_Street_(2013_movie)
    Supports: Runtime, release date, director, and summary of the film’s subject matter.
  5. WhatsAfterTheMovie — https://www.whatsafterthemovie.com/movies/the-wolf-of-wall-street
    Supports: Plot summary, director, and core cast.
  6. Scribd — https://www.scribd.com/document/638614143/The-Wolf-Of-Wall-Street-A-summary
    Supports: Cast list and basis in Jordan Belfort’s memoir.