The Irishman (Martin Scorsese, 2019) – De-aging, intertextuality and genre
The Irishman (Martin Scorsese, 2019) – De-aging, intertextuality and genre

Summary/Abstract: When The Irishman premiered on Netflix in 2019, it was notable for its length, cost, and use of digital de-aging technology. The film marked Martin Scorsese’s first collaboration with Netflix, which supported a project that traditional studios would not finance. It follows aging hitman Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he reflects on his life in organized crime, while de-aging effects depict younger versions of the characters in flashbacks. This constant interplay between aged bodies and digitally reconstructed youth interrogates viewers on how de-aging challenges the authenticity and indexicality of images. This paper explores the intertextual dialogue between the film and the actors’ earlier roles, assessing the plausibility of their younger digital selves. It also addresses the paradox of a film about old age that visually erases signs of aging. Finally, it analyzes how the narrative structure and road-movie framework shape representations of memory, aging, and the past. Aging emerges not merely as a technical showcase but as a key principle guiding the film’s representational choices.

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