David Leitch has carved out a distinct niche in film, delivering exciting visual thrills with hits like John Wick, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy. While his latest effort falls short of those lofty heights, it isn’t a total loss. There are enough enjoyable performances and fun set pieces here to keep it from falling completely flat. But what could have been a slick, contemporary heist thriller instead collapses under the weight of a poor script, dizzying choices, and a lack of emotional resonance.

Following a high-stakes bank heist, How to Rob a Bank focuses on the frantic cat-and-mouse game that ensues between a crew of thieves and the law enforcement officers pursuing them.

Starting with the positives, the film’s brighter spots shine through its cast. Nicholas Hoult is strong as a lead, proving once again his ability to anchor a story even when handed shaky material. Equally surprising is Pete Davidson, who turns out to be one of the true highlights of the movie, bringing charisma and unexpected comedy to his scenes. On the visual front, the craft behind the camera gives the film a stylish sheen. The sharp cinematography and sleek production design lend the heist world a vivid, modern look. Plus, the costuming is a standout, using animal masks for the main crew. These bring a creative flair to their wardrobes and add a welcome dose of personality.

However, the most immediate issue is the film’s hyperactive pacing. Every single emotional moment is instantly undercut by relentlessly fast editing, so the story never allows a dramatic character beat to breathe before rushing headlong into the next flashy sequence. Paradoxically, this chaotic editing creates strange pacing; the film feels vastly longer than it actually is because nothing grounds the viewer.

Much of the blame rests on the screenplay, which is bloated with cringe-worthy, plot-heavy dialogue that screams its central themes directly at the audience. There is no subtlety to be found here, with neither the stakes nor the characters ever properly established. Across the board, the ensemble suffers from a complete absence of character arcs, starting with fixed opinions, learning nothing, staying the same, and ending in the exact same emotional space. You simply don’t care for any of these characters because the narrative gives you little reason to invest in them.

A prime example of this weak writing involves Hoult’s character, Ryan. We learn about his core motivations far too late in the story, leaving you to wonder why writer Mark Bianculli didn’t make these central to the plot from the very beginning. Meanwhile, John C. Reilly’s buddy dynamic with Zoë Kravitz struggles to swim amid the fast-paced editing, and Anna Sawai is entirely squandered, with her character given zero depth or identity beyond being the main character’s wife.

Read more reviews here →

Conceptually, the movie aims to establish a tense dynamic between Hoult and Reilly, evoking the iconic, mutual-respect chase seen in Michael Mann’s Heat. In execution, it comes nowhere close. The central rivalry lacks weight, sophistication, and genuine tension. The film also attempts to weave in social media and YouTube elements to modernise the plot. While initially enjoyable, these gimmicks quickly grow tiresome. By the second half, the digital commentary feels more like someone completely out of the loop trying to figure out what the kids are up to, and landing quite far off the mark.

Directorially, Leitch delivers action set pieces and stunt sequences that are undeniably fun, serving as clear proof that raw choreography remains his greatest strength as a filmmaker. When the movie focuses purely on physical set pieces, his signature directorial style briefly comes to life. However, these sequences still lack the inventive, unique qualities needed to elevate them, leaving you with fun moments in the room that fail to leave a lasting impression once the lights come up.

Ultimately, How to Rob a Bank is an energetic, ambitious effort that leans heavily into stylistic flair, even if it loses sight of core storytelling along the way. While bogged down by an uneven script and underused talent, the genuine highlights from Hoult and Davidson show what could have been. It may be a misstep for a director of Leitch’s calibre, but fans of fast-paced action will still find bits to enjoy.

★★

In UK cinemas from November 13^th / Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, John C. Reilly, Anna Sawai, Christian Slater, Pete Davidson, Rhenzy Feliz / Dir: David Leitch / Amazon MGM Studios / 15