🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Luessenhop
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Release year: 2010
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (101k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of ridiculously good-looking bank robbers try to retire rich, but a cop with daddy issues and a vengeful ex-con ruin everything, proving that even stylish criminals can’t escape soap opera clichés.
🍿 Takers: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Heist Crew
Gordon Jennings leads a highly skilled team of bank robbers consisting of John Rahway, A.J., and brothers Jake and Jesse Attica. They meticulously plan and execute heists, living lavishly between jobs. Their latest score nets them $2 million, but puts them on the radar of detectives Jack Welles and Eddie Hatcher. The team operates under a strict code, ensuring their safety and success. However, their routine is disrupted by the return of Ghost, a former member who was imprisoned after a past operation.

Ghost’s Return and a Risky Proposition
Ghost, recently released from prison, presents the crew with a tempting offer: a $20 million armored car heist. Despite reservations and trust issues surrounding Ghost’s loyalty, the lure of a substantial payday leads the team to consider the dangerous proposition. The team grapples with the decision, weighing the potential reward against the inherent risks and the possibility of betrayal. Detectives Welles and Hatcher intensify their investigation, closing in on the crew’s activities.

The Armored Car Heist and Its Aftermath
The crew proceeds with the armored car heist, executing a complex plan to intercept the vehicle and secure the money. However, the operation quickly spirals out of control, leading to unexpected complications and casualties. The heist triggers a series of betrayals and double-crosses, as alliances shift and hidden agendas come to light. The surviving members of the crew find themselves in a desperate battle for survival, pursued by both law enforcement and dangerous adversaries.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Gordon Jennings (Idris Elba): The meticulous and calculating leader of the bank robbery crew, burdened by his sister’s drug addiction.
- Jack Welles (Matt Dillon): The determined and troubled detective obsessed with bringing down the heist crew, often at the expense of his personal life.
- John Rahway (Paul Walker): A skilled member of the heist crew and loyal friend to Gordon, often acting as the voice of reason.
- Ghost (Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris): The vengeful former member of the crew who returns after prison to orchestrate a dangerous armored car heist, driven by betrayal and greed.
- Jake Attica (Michael Ealy): One half of the Attica brothers and a key member of the crew struggling with his relationship with Ghost’s ex-girlfriend.
- Jesse Attica (Chris Brown): The nimble and agile member of the heist crew who gets the crew into trouble as the film progresses.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Gordon Jennings: “We’re takers, gents. That’s what we do for a living. We take.” – Gordon explains their philosophy and justification for their criminal lifestyle to the crew.
- Gordon Jennings: “All signs point to it.” – A recurring line, said with John after a successful heist or when things are going according to plan, almost a catchphrase.
- Ghost: “I’m back for what’s mine.” – Ghost declares his intentions upon being released from prison, hinting at his desire for revenge and a cut of the action.
- Jack Welles: “I’m gonna catch you, Cozier.” – Welles expresses his determination to bring Gordon and his crew to justice, setting up their cat-and-mouse game.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $32,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $57,744,720
- Worldwide Gross: $80,205,382
💥 Takers Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into Takers expecting a mindless action flick, and I mostly got that. The opening bank heist was pretty awesome, and the cast was undeniably cool. Idris Elba just oozes charisma. But honestly, the plot was all over the place, and I didn’t really care about any of the characters. Still, it was a fun ride if you don’t think about it too much. The chase scene with Chris Brown was definitely a highlight—super acrobatic and exciting. Just don’t expect a masterpiece.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of heist movies.”
- “Viewers who enjoy action-packed thrillers.”
- “Audiences looking for films with ensemble casts.”
- “Fans of Idris Elba, Paul Walker, and Matt Dillon.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense violence and gunfights.”
- “Strong language.”
- “Drug use.”
- “Suggestive content.”
Professional Reviews
- Collider: “Takers is an entertaining heist movie with a solid cast, but it struggles with originality and character development, relying too heavily on genre tropes.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The film’s action sequences are well-executed, but the convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters detract from the overall experience.
- Variety: “Takers offers stylish visuals and intense action, but the uninspired storyline and weak characterizations leave much to be desired.
Audience Reactions
Loved the action sequences and the stylish visuals of the movie.: Viewers generally praised the intense action scenes and the stylish cinematography, but noted the weak plot.
The cast had great chemistry together, which made the movie enjoyable.: The ensemble cast, especially Idris Elba and Matt Dillon, received positive comments for their performances.
Overall Consensus: Takers is a visually appealing and action-packed heist movie, but it suffers from a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters, making it a decent, but not exceptional, addition to the genre.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The original title was ‘Bone Deep’, but director John Luessenhop changed it after being inspired by Idris Elba’s line, ‘We’re takers, gents’.”
- “To ensure the cast meshed well, the director made sure everyone spent considerable time together before filming started, fostering real camaraderie.”
🖥️ How to Watch Takers?
Takers is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Depending on your region, it might also be available for streaming with a subscription on services like Hulu or Paramount+.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Takers, you might like these similar films:
- Heat (1995): A direct comparison, featuring a similar dynamic between a crew of professional thieves and the determined detectives pursuing them, with a focus on complex characters and intense action.
- The Town (2010): Shares the theme of skilled bank robbers balancing their criminal lives with personal relationships, set against a backdrop of intense heists and law enforcement pursuit.
- Point Break (1991): Features a group of charismatic criminals who are also adrenaline junkies, pursued by an obsessed law enforcement officer.
- Baby Driver (2017): A modern equivalent with stylish action and a focus on the high-stakes world of heists, featuring a getaway driver trying to escape his criminal life.
🛒 Takers Related Products
- Takers [Blu-ray]: Relive the heart-pounding action and suspense with this high-definition Blu-ray edition.
- Heat (Two-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]: Considered the inspiration behind Takers, experience Michael Mann’s crime masterpiece starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
- LEGO City Police Car Building Kit: Inspire creative play with a toy police car building kit. Perfect to recreate police chase scenes from Takers.
- Heist Movie Collection [Digital Download]: A collection of classic heist movies that inspired Takers. A must-have for fans of the genre.
🎧 Soundtrack
Takers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Takers was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California. Specific locations included 410 Boyd St, Los Angeles for some scenes.
Takers is not directly based on a specific real-life event, but incorporates elements and tropes common in heist films, drawing inspiration from movies like Heat and The Italian Job.
At the end of Takers, Ghost is killed by John, and the badly injured Gordon escapes with John and the money. Detective Welles also severely wounded, manages to call for help, leaving the fate of both Gordon and Welles uncertain.
🔥 Bonus Content
T.I. – Yeah Ya Know – Takers Official Music Video [HD]
This music video by T.I. was actually featured in the film! It’s got a great beat and really fits the movie’s vibe, you should check it out to get hyped for the film!
T.I. surprises fans at movie theaters. Buys tickets and food TAKERS!!
Check out this wholesome moment of T.I. surprising and treating fans at the ‘Takers’ premiere! Seeing his generosity really made me smile, definitely worth a watch.
Takers (2010), but only Hayden Christensen’s parts
Obsessed with Hayden Christensen in ‘Takers’? This compilation is just his scenes! It’s a fun way to relive his performance and appreciate his character.
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