🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jaume Balagueró
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 58min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (42k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of thieves try to rob a bank during the World Cup, but the vault is actually a giant scale that floods if you step on it too hard, because…reasons.
🍿 The Vault: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Setup: A Treasure Salvaged and Seized
The film opens with Walter Moreland’s salvage team recovering a treasure from a sunken ship. Spanish authorities intervene and seize the recovered artifacts, placing them in the impenetrable vault of the Bank of Spain. Among the seized items is a crucial piece hinting at a larger, more valuable treasure hidden elsewhere. Walter, determined to reclaim what he found, begins assembling a team for an audacious heist.

Recruiting Thom: The Engineering Genius
Walter recruits Thom, a brilliant but disillusioned engineering graduate, to devise a plan to breach the seemingly impenetrable vault. Thom, weary of corporate offers, is drawn to the challenge. He joins Walter’s team, which includes a con artist, a logistics expert, and a seasoned treasure hunter. Together, they begin to meticulously plan their heist against the backdrop of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Madrid.

The Vault’s Secret: A Weight-Sensitive Scale
The team discovers the vault’s unique security system: it rests on a massive scale connected to a water reservoir. Any significant weight change triggers a flood, drowning anyone inside. Thom devises a plan to freeze the scale with liquid nitrogen, temporarily disabling the weight sensors and allowing them access to the treasure within the 105 minutes of the World Cup final, during which the city is distracted.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Thom (Freddie Highmore): A brilliant engineering graduate who is recruited to break into the Bank of Spain’s vault.
- Walter (Liam Cunningham): The charismatic leader of the heist team, seeking to recover treasure seized by the Spanish government.
- Lorraine (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey): A skilled con artist and member of Walter’s team who acts as a key player in the heist.
- James (Sam Riley): A member of Walter’s team who secretly works for the British government to secure the treasure.
- Gustavo (Jose Coronado): The head of security at the Bank of Spain, determined to protect the vault from intruders.
- Simon (Luis Tosar): The logistics expert of the heist team, responsible for critical elements of the plan.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lorraine: “Look, you can give it back to its owner, tell him you found it on the floor, and remain a law-abiding citizen. Make you daddy proud, it’s okay.” – Lorraine tries to persuade Thom, after testing his skills, to choose between a normal life or joining the heist.
- Lorraine: “Or? Be an accomplice and come with me.” – The second choice Lorraine offers Thom in order to join the heist and be part of the team.
💰Box Office
- Budget: None
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: $8,803,864
💥 The Vault Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched ‘The Vault’ and while it wasn’t the best heist movie ever, I had a good time! The whole ‘robbing a bank during the World Cup’ thing was pretty cool. I loved the scene where they were trying to figure out how to freeze the scale, it felt like I was solving a puzzle along with them! The ending was a bit predictable, but honestly, I was just rooting for them to get away with it. It’s a fun movie to watch if you’re looking for some easy entertainment.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven or The Italian Job”
- “Viewers interested in engineering and puzzle-solving”
- “Those who enjoy international settings and fast-paced thrillers”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some violence and action sequences”
- “Mild language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “”The Vault” delivers a passable heist experience but struggles with originality, relying heavily on genre tropes. Freddie Highmore’s performance is adequate, but the film lacks the spark needed to truly stand out. The World Cup setting adds a unique flavor, but the plot holes are hard to ignore.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “While the premise of robbing the Bank of Spain during the World Cup is intriguing, “The Vault” fails to capitalize on its potential. The characters are underdeveloped, and the heist itself feels rushed and illogical. The production values are decent, but the screenplay needed more work.
- IGN: “”The Vault” is a competently made heist thriller that offers some entertaining moments, particularly during the heist sequence itself. However, it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre and suffers from predictability. Freddie Highmore is well-casted and does a fine job in his role. Overall, an above average movie worth watching once.
Audience Reactions
The World Cup tie-in added a unique and exciting element to the classic heist formula.: Viewers enjoyed the blend of suspense, action, and the backdrop of the 2010 World Cup final.
The inventive vault design and the challenges it presented were a highlight for many viewers.: The unique vault mechanics, especially the flooding scale, were praised for adding an intriguing twist to the heist.
Overall Consensus: A decent heist movie with a unique World Cup backdrop, but suffers from predictability and plot holes. Enjoyable for casual viewing but lacks depth and originality.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed on location in Madrid, Spain, adding authenticity to the heist setting.”
- “The production team had to coordinate filming around the actual 2010 FIFA World Cup Final celebrations to capture the energy of the crowds.”
- “Freddie Highmore, who plays the protagonist Thom, is fluent in Spanish, which aided in his performance and interactions with the Spanish cast members.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Vault?
The Vault, also known as Way Down, is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability. Depending on your region, it may also be available on demand through your cable provider. Some platforms may offer a free trial period for new users.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Vault, you might like these similar films:
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features a charismatic team executing an elaborate heist with intricate planning and unexpected twists.
- The Italian Job (2003): Involves a meticulously planned heist with a focus on teamwork and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles.
- Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) (2017-2021): A modern heist series centered on an audacious bank robbery, blending suspense with complex character dynamics and unexpected plot twists.
🛒 The Vault Related Products
- Bank Heist – Cooperative Board Game: A cooperative board game where players work together to plan and execute a heist, similar to the movie’s plot. Features strategic planning, resource management, and tension-filled moments.
- Freddie Highmore Signed Photo: A professionally printed 8×10 photo, personally signed by Freddie Highmore. This would make a fantastic addition to your collection.
- Heist Movie Collection (Blu-ray): A Blu-ray collection featuring classic heist films like “Ocean’s Eleven”, “The Italian Job”, and “Inside Man.” Perfect for fans of the genre.
- “The Vault” Inspired T-Shirt: A stylish t-shirt featuring a graphic design inspired by the movie “The Vault.” Made from high-quality, comfortable material.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Vault features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “God Save the Queen (No Future)” – performed by Sex Pistols
- “Hell Is Around The Corner” – performed by Tricky
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The Vault was primarily filmed on location in Madrid, Spain, capturing the city’s vibrant atmosphere during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. These real locations enhance the film’s authenticity and tension.
While The Vault features the Bank of Spain and its vault, the heist depicted in the film is fictional. The filmmakers created a thrilling scenario using the real-world setting as inspiration.
The 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands serves as a crucial plot device, creating a massive distraction that allows the heist team to operate with minimal attention from law enforcement. The crowd noise and the nation’s focus on the game provide cover for their activities.
🔥 Bonus Content
IQ200+ Thief Hacks World’s Strictest Safe Using Only His Hearing
Ever wonder how those crazy-complicated safe cracks in movies actually work? This video breaks down the safecracking scenes from ‘Army of Thieves,’ and it’s way more intense than you’d think! Honestly, I’m amazed anyone can pull this off.
Former Bank Robber Breaks Down 11 Bank Heists In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider
Want to know what Hollywood gets wrong about bank heists? This video has a real former bank robber breaking down scenes from popular movies. It’s super insightful, and some of the inaccuracies are hilarious!
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