Army of Thieves Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nerdy bank teller who’s really into safes gets a girlfriend who uses him to open a bunch of bank vaults while zombies slowly become a thing on TV.

🍿 Army of Thieves: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: Sebastian’s Ordinary Life

Sebastian, a timid bank teller in Potsdam, Germany, lives a monotonous life. He’s fascinated by locks and safes, posting obscure YouTube videos about the legendary locksmith Hans Wagner. Meanwhile, news of a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas begins to spread, creating a surreal backdrop to Sebastian’s humdrum existence. He experiences anxiety dreams related to the unfolding zombie apocalypse, adding a layer of tension to his otherwise quiet life.

Recruitment and the First Heist: Paris

Sebastian’s life takes an unexpected turn when Gwendoline, a skilled thief, notices his YouTube channel. Impressed by his knowledge, she invites him to join her crew to crack three of Hans Wagner’s seemingly impenetrable safes. These safes, owned by billionaire Bly Tanaka, are set to be decommissioned soon. Sebastian accepts, driven by the challenge and the allure of Wagner’s legacy. Their first heist targets a safe in Paris. The team manages to successfully crack it. Gwendoline explains that this is more about glory than riches.

Prague and Betrayal

The team then travels to Prague for their next heist. Tensions rise as Sebastian develops feelings for Gwendoline, sparking jealousy in her boyfriend, Brad. Interpol agent Delacroix, obsessed with capturing Gwendoline, relentlessly pursues them. During the heist, Brad’s recklessness jeopardizes the mission, and he intentionally leaves Sebastian behind. Disgusted, Gwendoline and Korina abandon Brad and Rolph, reuniting with Sebastian. They reaffirm their commitment to cracking the remaining safes, driven by the artistic challenge rather than the money.

St. Moritz: The Final Heist and Sacrifice

The trio heads to St. Moritz for their final heist in Europe. They successfully hijack the safe during its transfer, outsmarting Interpol and Brad and Rolph. While escaping in a lorry, Sebastian cracks the safe under pressure. Before they can celebrate, Brad and Rolph confront them. Gwendoline overpowers them and they handcuff them before they are caught by interpol. As they prepare to escape, Gwendoline and Sebastian confess their feelings for each other. Delacroix corners them. Gwendoline sacrifices herself to ensure Sebastian’s escape, promising to reunite with him one day.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer): A timid bank teller and theoretical safe-cracker who is recruited into a life of crime to crack impenetrable safes.
• Gwendoline Starr (Nathalie Emmanuel): A skilled jewel thief who enlists Dieter’s help to crack three legendary safes, valuing the challenge over monetary gain.
• Korina Dominguez (Ruby O. Fee): The expert hacker of Gwendoline’s crew, who provides tech support and aids in planning heists.
• Brad Cage (Stuart Martin): The muscle of the crew and Gwendoline’s jealous boyfriend, whose recklessness threatens the team’s plans.
• Rolph (Guz Khan): The getaway driver for the crew, providing transportation and logistical support during their heists.
• Delacroix (Jonathan Cohen): An obsessive Interpol agent relentlessly pursuing Gwendoline and her crew across Europe.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ludwig Dieter: “I’m not a thief. I’m a locksmith.” – Dieter distinguishes himself from the rest of the crew, emphasizing his passion for the art of safe-cracking over the act of stealing.
• Gwendoline: “We’re not just cracking safes, we’re making history.” – Gwendoline explains her motivation to Dieter, framing their heists as more than just robbery.
• Ludwig Dieter: “The safe is not just metal and gears, it’s a story.” – Dieter expresses his deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry behind the Wagner safes.
• Delacroix: “These aren’t just robberies, they’re a symphony of destruction!” – Delacroix dramatically describes the heists, highlighting the scale and artistry he perceives in the crimes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Army of Thieves Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting another zombie flick, but it’s a full-on heist movie, which was a nice surprise! I really liked Matthias Schweighöfer as Dieter; he’s just so awkward and endearing. The whole safe-cracking stuff was actually pretty cool, especially how it tied into Wagner’s operas. The ending hit me hard. I was really rooting for Dieter and Gwendoline, and that sacrifice scene was intense! Overall, I had a lot of fun watching this movie, and it made me want to re-watch ‘Army of the Dead’.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy quirky and lighthearted action films”
  • “Fans of Matthias Schweighöfer”
  • “Those interested in the ‘Army of the Dead’ universe”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some violence”
  • “Language”
  • “Brief zombie-related imagery (nightmare sequences)”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While visually appealing, ‘Army of Thieves’ lacks the sharp wit and originality to elevate it beyond a standard heist film. Schweighöfer’s direction is competent, but the script needed more punch.
• Screen Rant: “A fun, lighthearted heist movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Although predictable, the chemistry between Schweighöfer and Emmanuel is undeniable, making it an enjoyable watch.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the unique combination of heist elements with the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse.: Most viewers agreed the film was better than ‘Army of the Dead’, praising its humor and likable characters.

Many fans enjoyed the quirky character of Ludwig Dieter, making the movie memorable.: The cast chemistry, especially between Matthias Schweighöfer and Nathalie Emmanuel, was a highlight.

Overall Consensus: A fun and entertaining heist movie, with a unique premise and enjoyable characters, though some found it predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Matthias Schweighöfer not only starred in the film but also directed it, showcasing his versatility in filmmaking.”
• “The film serves as a prequel to ‘Army of the Dead’, exploring the origins of Ludwig Dieter and his safe-cracking skills before the zombie apocalypse fully takes over.”
• “The safes featured in the movie are inspired by Richard Wagner’s operas, adding a layer of artistic depth to the heist sequences.”

🖥️ How to Watch Army of Thieves?

Army of Thieves is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. To watch, you will need a Netflix subscription. Check your local Netflix availability, as content can vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Army of Thieves, you might like these similar films:

• The Italian Job (2003): Features a group of skilled individuals coming together to execute elaborate heists, focusing on teamwork and intricate planning.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Showcases a charismatic team executing complex heists with style and flair, similar to the dynamic between the characters in ‘Army of Thieves’.
• Snatch (2000): Combines crime and comedy with a quirky cast of characters involved in elaborate schemes, appealing to fans of ‘Army of Thieves’ unique tone.
• The Score (2001): A master safecracker reluctantly teams with a younger, cockier thief to pull off one last heist.

🛒 Army of Thieves Related Products

• Army of Thieves Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure – Ludwig Dieter: A must-have collectible for fans of Ludwig Dieter, this Funko Pop captures his quirky and lovable personality from the film. Display it proudly on your desk or shelf to show your love for ‘Army of Thieves’.
• Army of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Hans Zimmer: Experience the pulse-pounding music from the ‘Army’ universe. Hans Zimmer delivers a blend of intense action cues and emotional themes, perfect for reliving your favorite scenes or focusing during work and play.
• Customizable ‘Army of Thieves’ Movie Poster – Premium Print: Showcase your love for ‘Army of Thieves’ with a custom poster. Choose your size, frame, and even add a personalized quote to create a unique piece of movie memorabilia that reflects your individual style.
• The Art and Making of Army of the Dead: Dive into the making of a prequel with this behind the scenes book. This collector’s edition contains concept art, storyboards, and exclusive interviews to truly know how Army of Thieves came to be.

🎧 Soundtrack

Army of Thieves features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Das Rheingold: Scene 2: Zu Mir, Freia!” – performed by Richard Wagner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Master Safecracker Rates 10 Safecracking Heists In Movies And TV | How Real Is It?

Curious about how realistic the safecracking scenes in ‘Army of the Dead’ are? Check out this video where a professional safe technician breaks down the techniques and challenges involved in real-life safecracking.

Pro Safecracker Fact Checks Safecracking in Movies | Vanity Fair

Want to know how accurate the safecracking scenes in ‘Army of the Dead’ are? This video has you covered! A professional safecracker analyzes the techniques and plausibility of these scenes, giving us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look.

IQ200+ Thief Hacks World’s Strictest Safe Using Only His Hearing

Need a quick catch-up on ‘Army of the Dead’? This video has got you covered! It condenses the film’s story into a 13-minute recap, perfect for refreshing your memory or getting a quick overview.

✨ Rate