The Last Days of American Crime

Movie Trailer

Release Date
June 5, 2020

Genre
Action, Crime, Thriller

Cast & Crew

• Édgar Ramírez as Graham Bricke
• Anna Brewster as Shelby Dupree
• Michael Pitt as Kevin Cash
• Sharlto Copley as William Sawyer
• Tamer Burjaq as Ross King
• Patrick Bergin as Rossi Dumois

Director
Olivier Megaton

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Taken 2 (2012)
• Colombiana (2011)
• Transporter 3 (2008)

Producer
Jesse Berger, Jason Michael Berman, Barry Levine

Writer
Karl Gajdusek (screenplay), based on the graphic novel by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini

Budget
$20 million (estimated)

Production Company
Netflix, Radical Studios, Mandalay Pictures

Running Time
148 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
TV-MA

Content Advisory

• Intense violence
• Strong language
• Sexual content
• Drug use

Movie Story
“The Last Days of American Crime” is a dystopian action thriller set in a near-future America where the government, in a final attempt to eliminate crime, plans to broadcast a signal that will make it impossible for anyone to commit illegal acts. As the signal’s activation looms, the country is thrown into chaos, and criminals everywhere scramble to pull off one last big score before their freedom to commit crimes is permanently taken away.

The film centers on Graham Bricke (Édgar Ramírez), a hardened criminal who teams up with the enigmatic Shelby Dupree (Anna Brewster) and the volatile Kevin Cash (Michael Pitt) to execute an ambitious heist. Their plan is to rob one of the last banks still holding substantial cash reserves before the signal goes live. However, as the clock ticks down, their plan is complicated by betrayals, government agents, and the ever-present threat of the signal’s impending activation.

As the group navigates the dangerous streets of a decaying America, they encounter ruthless criminals, corrupt law enforcement, and a society on the brink of collapse. The film explores themes of freedom, government control, and the consequences of a society without crime, though much of this is overshadowed by the relentless action and violence that drives the narrative.

Special Effects
“The Last Days of American Crime” utilizes a mix of practical effects and CGI to create its dystopian world and the various action sequences throughout the film. The film’s visual style is gritty and dark, emphasizing the chaos and brutality of its setting. While the special effects are serviceable, they are often overshadowed by the film’s excessive violence and lengthy runtime.

Box Office Performance
“The Last Days of American Crime” was released directly on Netflix, bypassing a traditional theatrical release. Despite its high-profile release on the streaming platform, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and viewers alike. Many criticized its slow pacing, lackluster plot, and excessive violence, making it one of the lowest-rated Netflix original films.

Filming Locations

• Cape Town, South Africa
• Johannesburg, South Africa

Notable Quotes

• “In this world, freedom isn’t given. It’s taken.” – Graham Bricke
• “One last score, and we disappear.” – Kevin Cash

Behind-the-Scenes
Directed by Olivier Megaton, known for his work on high-octane action films like Taken 2 and Transporter 3, “The Last Days of American Crime” was adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini. Despite the film’s ambitious premise, it failed to capture the critical acclaim of the original graphic novel, with many reviewers pointing to its lack of depth and excessive focus on action over story.

Awards

• N/A

Final Verdict
“The Last Days of American Crime” is a disappointing adaptation of an intriguing graphic novel, plagued by poor pacing, a convoluted plot, and gratuitous violence. While the film has moments of potential and features a strong cast led by Édgar Ramírez, it ultimately falls flat due to its bloated runtime and lack of coherent storytelling. Fans of dystopian thrillers may find some entertainment in the action sequences, but the film is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

IMDb Rating
3.7/10