From David Leitch, co-director of John Wick and director of Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2, comes a relevant, rebellious movie about bank robbers who aim to dismantle the American Banking System. Overall, the movie is a fun fantasy that stretches realism, but it’s still an entertaining romp and crime drama. Lead actor Nicholas Hoult gives a charismatic performance that keeps the film more grounded and the audience invested in his journey.
A team of bank robbers has taken social media by storm. The group has created a channel called “How to Rob A Bank,” where their leader records his team’s robberies of various banks in Pittsburgh. In disguise with a tactical wolf mask, Ryan (Hoult) offers his viewers the details of his team’s exploits, as well as practical advice on how anyone can pull off bank robberies with the right instructions. Eventually, the FBI gets involved, with Agent John West in charge of targeting and capturing the robbers. As “The Wolf” gains more popularity online, West enlists the help of Reagan Gardner, a skilled computer hacker, to help him capture them.
Overall, I had a great time with this movie. It can be silly and unrealistic at times, but I can honestly relate to the robbers’ motives and what they are trying to accomplish. I will say that the YouTube videos can be obnoxious at first, but once you understand the reasons for their actions, you can totally see why they took this approach. After that, I was totally on board and had a blast with what the filmmakers were delivering.
As I already previously stated, Nicholas Hoult owns this movie. He is the star who gets to shine brightly, showing a dynamic range as both a YouTube star and a wounded man on a mission. I was also somewhat impressed by Pete Davidson, who portrays a member of the robbery crew with a clear personal stake in the team’s activities. John C. Reilly gives a strong turn as the agent obsessed with stopping the anarchy, but can also understand their motives when they become more transparent. Zoe Kravitz has some entertaining moments, but is certainly underused and underwritten as Reagan Gardner.
How to Rob a Bank isn’t a movie that demands a theater seat, but it is entertaining enough for a matinee price. Otherwise, it is a fun, exciting flick you can enjoy in the comfort of your home.