‘How to Rob a Bank’ Review: Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz Take Their Paychecks in an Annoyingly Flashy, Emotionally Turgid Influencer-Age Heist Movie
There’s a degree of second-hand embarrassment that comes from watching David Leitch’s Amazon-backed, influencer-age heist movie “How to Rob a Bank.” It’s a film that bids so desperately for cultural relevance, stylistic cool and progressive brownie points that it trips on its own
The latest heist movie from David Leitch, "How to Rob a Bank", has left this critic underwhelmed, with its attempts at being culturally relevant and stylish falling flat. Starring Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz, the film feels like a product of its influencer-age, prioritizing flash over substance. The result is a movie that feels more like a shallow exercise in style over substance, rather than a genuinely engaging heist film.
The film's missteps are particularly notable given the current state of the heist genre, which has been revitalized by films like "The Italian Job" and "Inside Man". Leitch's film seems to be trying to tap into this same vein, but its over-reliance on trendy aesthetics and forced social commentary only serves to make it feel dated and shallow. With a cast as talented as Hoult and Kravitz, it's disappointing to see them wasted in a film that prioritizes style over storytelling.
As the film industry continues to grapple with the challenges of creating content that resonates with modern audiences, "How to Rob a Bank" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing style over substance. For fans of the heist genre, it's worth keeping an eye on upcoming releases like "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent", which promises to bring a fresh take to the genre. With its unique blend of action and comedy, it's a film that's sure to be more successful in its attempts to capture the zeitgeist.
Originally reported by variety.com. FilmNews adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.