Criminal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dead spy’s brain is put into Kevin Costner, who then has to remember where a hacker hid the thingamajig that will blow up the world, but mostly he just remembers how much he likes Ryan Reynolds’ wife and kid.

🍿 Criminal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

CIA Agent’s Mission

CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) is tasked with finding hacker ‘The Dutchman’ (Michael Pitt), who created a program to bypass nuclear codes. Pope is ambushed and killed before completing the deal. His superior, Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman), seeks a radical solution.

Memory Transfer Experiment

Dr. Franks (Tommy Lee Jones) pioneers memory transfer. They implant Pope’s memories into Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner), a dangerous convict with an underdeveloped frontal lobe. The hope is to access Pope’s memories and locate The Dutchman before he sells the program.

Jerico’s Transformation

After escaping custody, Jerico grapples with Pope’s memories and skills clashing with his own violent nature. He seeks out Pope’s widow, Jill (Gal Gadot), and his daughter, Emma (Lara Decaro). As he experiences Bill’s memories, Jerico begins developing emotions and a connection with Jill and Emma.

The Pursuit

Jerico is pursued by the CIA, the Russians seeking to acquire the wormhole program, and Heimdahl (Jordi Mollà), the Spanish anarchist who initially sought the wormhole program. Each faction desires control of the powerful tool that can control the world’s missile systems, leading to violent confrontations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner): A dangerous and remorseless convict who receives the memories and skills of a deceased CIA agent, leading to a struggle between his original nature and the agent’s persona.
• Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds): A CIA agent whose memories are transferred into Jerico Stewart after his death in order to complete a crucial mission.
• Jill Pope (Gal Gadot): The wife of Bill Pope, who grapples with the implications of her husband’s memories residing in Jerico Stewart.
• Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman): The CIA’s London Station Chief who initiates the experimental procedure to transfer Bill Pope’s memories in a desperate attempt to prevent a global catastrophe.
• Dr. Franks (Tommy Lee Jones): The neurosurgeon responsible for the experimental memory transfer procedure from Bill Pope to Jerico Stewart.
• Xavier Heimdahl (Jordi Mollà): A ruthless anarchist who seeks to use the ‘Wormhole’ program to dismantle world governments.
• Jan Strook – The Dutchman (Michael Pitt): A shadowy hacker who created the ‘Wormhole’ program and becomes a target for both the CIA and Xavier Heimdahl.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jerico Stewart: “You hurt me… I hurt you worse.” – Jerico’s brutal mantra, reflecting his violent nature and lack of empathy before the memory transplant.
• Bill Pope: “(Tortured) Fuck you!” – Bill Pope’s defiant last words under torture, showcasing his resilience and loyalty.
• Jerico Stewart: “I’m speaking Spanish, motherfucker!” – Jerico’s confused outburst when he unexpectedly speaks French, highlighting the merging of his and Bill Pope’s memories.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $31.5M
• Domestic Gross: $14.7M
• Worldwide Gross: $38.8M

💥 Criminal Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so “Criminal” is a bit out there, but I was surprisingly entertained! Kevin Costner is great as the psycho trying to deal with Ryan Reynolds’ memories. The whole concept is wild, but it had me hooked. I especially liked the scenes where he was trying to connect with Gal Gadot and her daughter – it was weird, but also kind of sweet. I went in with low expectations, and ended up having a fun night!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in sci-fi concepts related to memory transfer”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with moral ambiguity”
  • “Fans of Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Gal Gadot”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “”Criminal” boasts an impressive cast, but the plot stretches credibility. Costner delivers a compelling performance as the unpredictable Jerico, but the film’s reliance on action over substance leaves something to be desired. While the concept is intriguing, the execution falls short of its potential, resulting in a passable but forgettable action thriller.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the star power, “Criminal” fails to impress. The film’s outlandish premise is bogged down by a predictable plot and uninspired action sequences. While Costner’s commitment to the role is evident, the overall experience is underwhelming and lacks the emotional depth needed to resonate with audiences.
• Metacritic: “”Criminal” suffers from a convoluted storyline and uneven performances. The film’s attempt to blend sci-fi elements with a gritty action narrative results in a tonally inconsistent experience. While there are moments of excitement, the overall product is a generic and uninspired thriller that fails to live up to its potential.

Audience Reactions

Kevin Costner’s performance as Jericho Stewart was surprisingly captivating.: Viewers found the blend of action and sci-fi elements to be entertaining and unique.

Many enjoyed the high-octane action sequences and suspenseful plot twists.: The cast delivered solid performances, making the far-fetched premise somewhat believable.

Overall Consensus: While critics were divided, audiences generally found “Criminal” to be an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, action thriller.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ryan Reynolds filmed his scenes in a short period due to a break in his schedule after completing principal photography on Deadpool (2016).”
• “The premise of the movie, involving memory transfer and its effects, draws parallels to the novel ‘Flowers for Algernon’, exploring themes of intelligence, identity, and humanity.”
• “Filming locations included Croydon College in London, which served as both the medical research labs and CIA operations center.”

🖥️ How to Watch Criminal?

Criminal (2016) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary by region. It may also be available on demand through your cable provider.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Criminal, you might like these similar films:

• Face/Off (1997): Features a similar plot device of transferring a person’s identity (in this case, face) onto another, blurring the lines between good and evil.
• Self/less (2015): Explores the theme of transferring consciousness into a new body, similar to the memory transfer in Criminal.
• The Manchurian Candidate (2004): Deals with mind control and implanted memories, creating a dangerous and unpredictable asset.
• Source Code (2011): Centers around accessing and altering a person’s memories to prevent a terrorist attack, highlighting themes of sacrifice and redemption.

🛒 Criminal Related Products

• Criminal [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed thriller on Blu-ray, featuring stunning visuals and immersive sound. A must-have for fans of Kevin Costner and the movie. Experience the film in high definition with bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Ryan Reynolds Movie Collection: Stream Ryan Reynolds’ movies and enjoy his diverse roles. This collection offers hours of entertainment, featuring action, comedy, and drama. Enjoy this versatile actor and his performances.
• Kevin Costner Signed Photo: A rare, autographed photo of Kevin Costner. Authenticated and ready to display, this piece is a unique addition to any movie memorabilia collection. It captures Costner’s iconic presence and makes a statement for the true fan.
• Criminal Movie Poster: Decorate your space with this eye-catching movie poster. Printed on high-quality paper, it’s the perfect way to showcase your love for the film. The striking design will enhance any room and show dedication to “Criminal”.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Time and Again” – performed by Blaire Reinhard / Gray Reinhard

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Former FBI Agent Explains Criminal Profiling | Tradecraft | WIRED

Ever wonder how FBI profilers catch the bad guys? This video breaks down the fascinating science of criminal profiling with a real former FBI agent. I’m telling you, it’s mind-blowing how they get inside a criminal’s head!

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