Emily the Criminal
Roadside Attractions | Release Date: August 12, 2022
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 84 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
56
Mixed:
23
Negative:
5
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
TrypsinogenAug 20, 2022
Only went out to see a movie because I needed to waste some time. I thought this premise sounded the most potentially interesting of the options, but it turned out that I didn't find the story/storytelling to be very compelling orOnly went out to see a movie because I needed to waste some time. I thought this premise sounded the most potentially interesting of the options, but it turned out that I didn't find the story/storytelling to be very compelling or interesting. I guess I was hoping for more poignant illustrations of the struggles that young people these days have to deal with (student loan debt, rigged economy and social structure, socialism for the rich/corporations, ever-growing extreme wealth hoarding, grave absurdities and injustices of late-stage capitalism, etc). I only remember one scene striking me as being particularly enjoyable. The rest felt mostly just passable and occasionally more on the weak/questionable side. If I weren't a fan of Aubrey and somebody else was playing her role, I might actually rate this a 6.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
katezoeDec 5, 2022
Buckle your seatbelt....fast paced thriller with Aubrey Plaza giving an amazing performance. A moral dilemma join corporate America or go rogue?
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Brent_MarchantAug 15, 2022
Given the level of graft and corruption in contemporary society, it often seems like the only way to get ahead is to cheat, even if it means breaking the law. The age-old wisdom of working hard, playing by the rules and being fair seemsGiven the level of graft and corruption in contemporary society, it often seems like the only way to get ahead is to cheat, even if it means breaking the law. The age-old wisdom of working hard, playing by the rules and being fair seems “quaint” to many, especially among many of today’s young adults, who feel as though they’ve been saddled with insurmountable debt from dubious lending practices like those associated with burdening student loans. But what is one to do when the old rules simply don’t work and a new solution is needed to break out of financial bondage? Those are the questions raised in this taut new thriller about a young woman torn between following her principles and being practical in the face of staggering odds working against her. Writer-director John Patton Ford’s debut feature addresses these issues head-on in a straight-up drama about what desperation can prompt us to do when we feel we’re running out of conventional options. The film provides a superb showcase for actress Aubrey Plaza as the beleaguered protagonist, who finds it surprisingly easy to turn to what many older viewers might see as a series of questionable and unethical choices, despite the fact that she often sees no other way out of her circumstances – and the troubling path that they set her on for the future. Some may see some of the narrative’s developments as a little far-fetched, but one simultaneously can’t help but wonder what would we do if we found ourselves in the title character’s shoes? This surprisingly thoughtful offering dressed up in a somewhat conventional crime drama makes for an intriguing fusion of genres that will have you on the edge of your seat for its economical and always-engaging 1:37:00 runtime. Don’t sell this one short; it may not be widely known, but it’s well worth a look.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
MarkHReviewsAug 19, 2022
Aubrey Plaza has come a long way from her deadpan comedic role as April Ludgate, an apathetic student intern on “Parks and Recreation.” Here, she takes on the title role and delivers a performance more powerful than anything she’s doneAubrey Plaza has come a long way from her deadpan comedic role as April Ludgate, an apathetic student intern on “Parks and Recreation.” Here, she takes on the title role and delivers a performance more powerful than anything she’s done before.

Emily is an art school dropout with $70,000 in student loan debt. She is trying to make her way in an unforgiving Los Angeles by working for a food delivery service and sharing a cramped apartment. A co-worker hooks her up with a different money-making opportunity: making $200 for buying a big screen TV using a stolen credit card number. For Emily, the money is irresistible. The team of fraudsters is led by Yousef, who becomes a teacher, protector and guide into black market capitalism. Eventually, under the tutelage of Yousef (an excellent Theo Rossi – “Sons of Anarchy,” “Luke Cage”), she sets up her own black market business as her life becomes further entangled with his.

“Emily the Criminal” is Writer/Director John Patton Ford’s feature debut. It’s a very promising start. While sticking close to the core tenets of film noir, particularly the profound cynicism, Ford also pushes the genre a bit. While classic film noir relies exclusively on dark colors and shadows, Ford’s jarring use of blindingly bright light in some daytime scenes is an interesting departure. His filming technique owes a lot to the Safdie brothers, with its constant use of extreme close-ups and quick cuts to build tension and heighten a sense of immediacy.

In Ford’s script, the character of Emily serves as a stand-in for her entire generation, as she copes with crushing student debt and limited financial options available for the undereducated. Ford effectively develops a few additional themes. Without belaboring the point, his film depicts how the current system benefits the few, not the many. In one particularly powerful scene, an ad agency boss (Gina Gershon) browbeats Emily, finding it incomprehensible that Emily is not eternally grateful for the opportunity to work for several months as an unpaid intern. Ford also makes a larger point about immigrants trying to find their own paths to success while navigating the complexities of a society that’s hardly welcoming. At one point, Emily tells us that her biggest mistake when confronting injustice has been that she didn’t go far enough. So she gets bolder as she goes along. By the time another criminal says to her, “You’re a very bad influence,” she’s earned it. Ultimately Emily is a fascinating character study delineating how far rage and self-belief can take you.

“Emily the Criminal” is a thought-provoking crime story. When we root for Emily, we’re urging on an anti-hero who, like the central character in the 1976 film “Network,” is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Emily’s clearly not a role model, but by the end we hope she wins anyway.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
UncleWillardOct 7, 2022
I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. Yes, I love Aubrey Plaza. Who doesn't? But boy does she pull out all the guns in this movie. Obviously, she's incredibly sexy, but she just oozes sex and danger in this flick. She is atI was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. Yes, I love Aubrey Plaza. Who doesn't? But boy does she pull out all the guns in this movie. Obviously, she's incredibly sexy, but she just oozes sex and danger in this flick. She is at the top of her game, and I enjoyed it on every level. The plot isn't super complex, which is refreshing, and as it escalates, it never goes over the top into action/adventure, but stays grounded in reality. A great heist flick, that simmers, but never quite boils, and I mean that in a good way. I believe this movie. I can see this happening across the country.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
RohmoSep 20, 2022
Great performance anchored by good direction and a twisty script... I don't know if the ending works...? But I was pretty satisfied throughout.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
DunkaccinoDec 21, 2022
Rather than a crime picture, Emily the Criminal is a character study with some excellent performances. Everything is nicely put together.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
QLA1992Aug 13, 2022
Plaza is electrically tenacious in the lead role. There are some very gripping scenes, but some of the quieter moments don’t quite land.
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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9
davemelbourne58Aug 14, 2022
Great screenwriting & direction. Great performance from Aubrey Plaza. She makes unlikeable at least sympathetic. Like a great roller coaster ride, this mmovie is over before you know it. The ending is really the only thing I can say is upGreat screenwriting & direction. Great performance from Aubrey Plaza. She makes unlikeable at least sympathetic. Like a great roller coaster ride, this mmovie is over before you know it. The ending is really the only thing I can say is up for debate, but Emily the Criminal is the best movie of 2022, right up there with Nope.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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8
BountyHunterAug 17, 2022
So I went into this movie completly blind. Didnt see a trailer, just saw that Aubrey Plaza was in a new movie and wanted to go watch it.The story follows Emily who is a college drop out,struggling to make money and is just trying to find aSo I went into this movie completly blind. Didnt see a trailer, just saw that Aubrey Plaza was in a new movie and wanted to go watch it.The story follows Emily who is a college drop out,struggling to make money and is just trying to find a stable job. She also loves art but the passion is there like it used to be. When she gets invited to make $200 in a day from an contact she was given she learns its credit card scam. Once she gets a taste of how easy it is she slowly falls down the rabbit hole of wanting to make more and more cash this way. This is deffinitly a character driven movie with Aubrey doing a fantastic job in this movie. She is known for her more dry comedic roles but she plays a serious character who is down on her luck and does fantastic in it. The movie shows how its hard for her to get a job with small crimes on her record. I like how personal and real this movie feels, with mostly medium and close up shots through out this whole movie, making you feel really close to her and feel everything she is feeling and going through. As the risk of the jobs go up during the movie and her making more money it gets really tense in some scenes. I really enjoyed this movie, fantstic acting from Aubrey and even Theo did a good job. This is another movie with a first time Director in John Patton Ford who I think did a good job with his first outting. He also wrote the movie which is impressive. From beginning to end I was investing in her character growth and the story and was really interested to see how it all unfolds. If you like these kinda movies I say deffinitly check it out.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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8
kirkenderOct 1, 2022
This is a fantastic thriller with great acting and dialogue. A meaningful and entertaining film that smartly critiques the modern capitalist hellscape that millennials have to deal with.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
mrc_brnDec 17, 2022
Tight little story told with grit and acted out believably by the main characters. Feels realistic, the way the main protagonist slides further and further over to the wrong side of the law. You feel for her and her friend as things start toTight little story told with grit and acted out believably by the main characters. Feels realistic, the way the main protagonist slides further and further over to the wrong side of the law. You feel for her and her friend as things start to go wrong. The handheld camera style of filming got a bit on my nerves a little, but other than that, I thought it was a great little movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
RalfbergsJan 15, 2023
I quite liked it. At first thought it will be boring, but in the end was quite interesting watch.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Badgerryan27Jan 1, 2023
This one surprised me. Didn’t expect much but this was surprisingly great. Great acting and a thrill ride that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Good time.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
umrttlDec 29, 2022
I am now an Aubrey Plaza fan. Suspenseful and solid movie but not the biggest fan of the ending
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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