🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mimi Leder
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 44min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (37k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two dudes steal eggs, but not the breakfast kind, more like the super-expensive, Russian art kind, and everyone is secretly a cop or a thief or both, because why not?
🍿 Thick as Thieves: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Setup: Ripley and Martin
Veteran thief Keith Ripley (Morgan Freeman) recruits a younger, skilled crook named Gabriel Martin (Antonio Banderas) for a high-stakes heist. Ripley needs Martin’s help to repay a debt to the Russian mob. Martin is drawn in by the allure of the job and the potential payout.

The Plan: Stealing the Faberge Eggs
Ripley and Martin target two valuable Faberge eggs housed in a heavily guarded Russian museum. The plan involves infiltrating the museum, bypassing sophisticated security systems, and extracting the eggs without raising suspicion. The museum, owned by the Romanovs (Russian Mafia), has a history of smuggling treasures and bribing the NYPD for protection.

Complications: Love and Betrayal
As Ripley and Martin prepare for the heist, Martin becomes romantically involved with Ripley’s goddaughter, Alexandra (Radha Mitchell). This complicates matters, creating tension between the two thieves. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Weber (Robert Forster), a detective who has been pursuing Ripley for years, closes in, suspecting their plans. Multiple parties are involved in double-crossing each other making it unclear who to trust.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Keith Ripley (Morgan Freeman): A veteran art thief who recruits Gabriel for one last heist to settle a debt, but has ulterior motives.
- Gabriel Martin (Antonio Banderas): A younger crook from Miami who is recruited by Ripley but is secretly an undercover cop.
- Alexandra Karolin (Radha Mitchell): Ripley’s goddaughter and Victor’s daughter, who develops feelings for Gabriel and is used as leverage by the Russian mob.
- Lt. Weber (Robert Forster): A persistent NYPD detective who has been trying to catch Ripley for over two decades.
- Nicky (Rade Serbedzija): A powerful Russian mobster to whom Ripley owes a debt, and who kidnaps Alexandra.
- Victor Korolenko (Rade Serbedzija): The previous partner of Ripley, who was believed to be murdered, but faked his death.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Keith Ripley: “Some people were born to compose music. Others to split the atom. I was born to steal shit.” – Ripley explains his natural inclination towards thievery, highlighting his talent and passion for it.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $87,000
- Worldwide Gross: $6,828,037
💥 Thick as Thieves Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie expecting a fun heist flick, but honestly, it felt a little flat. Freeman and Banderas have charisma, but their chemistry didn’t pop for me, and the plot felt predictable. The twists towards the end were interesting, but not enough to save the movie overall. It was entertaining enough for a lazy Sunday afternoon, but not something I’d rave about to my friends.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of heist movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas”
- “Those looking for a light and entertaining crime thriller”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Brief nudity”
- “Some coarse language”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Thick as Thieves is a derivative heist flick that squanders the talents of its leads with a predictable plot and uninspired direction. Despite Freeman and Banderas’ presence, the film lacks originality.
- IMDb: “A fun but forgettable heist movie. Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas are good but the story is old and uninspired with some twists and turns that make the movie OK to watch, but not something to remember. Radha Mitchell adds a nice touch.
Audience Reactions
The ending has unexpected twists that keep you guessing.: While the plot is predictable, some viewers found the twists in the ending to be surprising and enjoyable.
Overall Consensus: Thick as Thieves is a mediocre heist movie with a predictable plot, decent performances from its leads, and some surprising twists that are not enough to save the movie overall.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was released under two titles: ‘Thick as Thieves’ and ‘The Code’.”
- “Subway scenes, supposedly in New York City, were filmed in the Sofia metro using Soviet-made subway cars.”
- “During a scene in the Russian nightclub, a techno remix of the traditional Russian folk song ‘Korobeiniki’ (also the Tetris theme) is played.”
🖥️ How to Watch Thick as Thieves?
As of October 2024, ‘Thick as Thieves’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability, as some platforms may not offer the film in all regions. Be sure to compare prices between platforms to find the best deal.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Thick as Thieves, you might like these similar films:
- The Score (2001): Features a veteran thief teaming up with a younger partner for one last big score, similar to the dynamic in ‘Thick as Thieves’.
- Entrapment (1999): Involves a veteran thief and an insurance agent who team up for a daring heist, focusing on trust and double-crosses.
- Heist (2001): A complex heist movie with multiple double-crosses and unexpected twists, keeping the audience guessing about who’s playing whom.
🛒 Thick as Thieves Related Products
- Faberge Egg Style Jewelry Box: A gorgeous, ornate jewelry box inspired by the Faberge eggs featured in the movie. Perfect for storing precious items and adding a touch of Russian opulence to any collection. Crafted with intricate detail and vibrant colors.
- Heist Movie Collection [DVD]: A DVD Collection with Morgan Freeman movies! Movies include Kiss The Girls, Along Came A Spider, Lucky Number Slevin and The Code.
- Russian Nesting Dolls (Matryoshka): A set of traditional Russian nesting dolls, hand-painted with vibrant colors and intricate designs. These dolls offer a cultural connection to the Russian elements of the film and make a beautiful display piece.
- The Art of the Heist: A Collector’s Edition: A collection of classic heist novels and short stories, featuring master thieves, intricate plots, and suspenseful scenarios. Includes exclusive essays on the history and psychology of heists.
🎧 Soundtrack
Thick as Thieves features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Hum Diggy” – performed by Marcus Brown, Adam Schiff, H. Scott Salinas, Stephen Dewey
- “Korobeiniki (Tetris Theme Remix)” – performed by Various (Traditional Russian Folk Song)
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Reviews for ‘Thick as Thieves’ are mixed. Some viewers find it entertaining as a light heist film, while others criticize it for its unoriginal plot and lack of depth. It may appeal to fans of Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas, but expectations should be tempered.
The major plot twist is that Gabriel Martin, played by Antonio Banderas, is revealed to be an undercover cop. However, the ultimate twist is that Keith Ripley (Morgan Freeman) was several steps ahead and manipulated the entire situation, leaving the police with no evidence and escaping with the real goods.
The main actors are Morgan Freeman as Keith Ripley, Antonio Banderas as Gabriel Martin, Radha Mitchell as Alexandra Korolenko, and Robert Forster as Lieutenant Weber.
🔥 Bonus Content
Tom Hardy with American accent
Ever wondered what Tom Hardy sounds like with an American accent? Check out this clip from Thick as Thieves and prepare to be impressed (or maybe just intrigued!). It’s a short but interesting snippet of his acting range.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.