Army of Thieves

Movie Trailer

Release Date
October 29, 2021 (Netflix)

Genre
Heist, Comedy, Action

Cast & Crew

• Matthias Schweighöfer as Ludwig Dieter / Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert
• Nathalie Emmanuel as Gwendoline Starr
• Ruby O. Fee as Korina Dominguez
• Stuart Martin as Brad Cage
• Guz Khan as Rolph
• Jonathan Cohen as Delacroix
• Noémie Nakai as Beatrix

Director
Matthias Schweighöfer

Other Movies Director is Known For

• You Are Wanted (2017-2018) – TV Series
• What a Man (2011)
• The Manny (2015)

Producer

• Zack Snyder
• Deborah Snyder
• Wesley Coller
• Dan Maag
• Matthias Schweighöfer

Writer

• Shay Hatten
  Based on characters created by Zack Snyder and Shay Hatten

Budget
$7 million

Production Company

• The Stone Quarry
• Pantaleon Films

Running Time
127 minutes

Languages
English, German

Maturity Rating
TV-MA

Content Advisory

• Strong language
• Violence
• Mild sexual content
• Some drug use

Movie Story
Army of Thieves is a prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead and focuses on Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer), who is introduced as Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert, a timid and unassuming bank teller in a quiet German town. Sebastian has a deep passion for safe-cracking and an encyclopedic knowledge of legendary safes designed by Hans Wagner, a famed locksmith. Despite his mundane job, he dreams of a more adventurous life.

Sebastian’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is recruited by Gwendoline Starr (Nathalie Emmanuel), a mysterious and charismatic master thief. Gwendoline is assembling a team for a series of high-stakes heists across Europe, targeting three of Wagner’s uncrackable safes. The team includes the hacker Korina (Ruby O. Fee), the muscle Brad Cage (Stuart Martin), and the getaway driver Rolph (Guz Khan). Sebastian, now adopting the alias Ludwig Dieter, eagerly joins the crew, thrilled by the opportunity to test his skills on the world’s most challenging safes.

As the team embarks on their heist spree, they must outwit Interpol agents led by Delacroix (Jonathan Cohen), who is determined to bring them to justice. The film is a blend of heist action, comedy, and romance, with Sebastian and Gwendoline developing a close bond as they navigate the dangers of their criminal exploits.

The narrative is driven by Sebastian’s evolution from a timid bank teller to the confident and skilled safecracker Ludwig Dieter. The film also delves into the lore of Wagner’s safes, each representing a different part of Richard Wagner’s opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung, adding an intriguing layer of mythos to the story.

Special Effects
The special effects in Army of Thieves are primarily used to enhance the film’s heist sequences, particularly in the safe-cracking scenes where the complexity and intricacy of Wagner’s safes are brought to life. The film employs a mix of practical effects and CGI to depict the mechanical workings of the safes, adding tension and excitement to the heists. The action scenes are stylized and visually engaging, with dynamic camera work that heightens the film’s energy and pace.

Box Office Performance
Army of Thieves was released exclusively on Netflix and quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched titles. The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its entertaining heist plot, light-hearted tone, and Matthias Schweighöfer’s dual role as both the lead actor and director. The film’s success added to the growing Army franchise, which continues to expand with planned sequels and spin-offs.

Filming Locations

• Berlin, Germany
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Hallstatt, Austria

Notable Quotes

• “Safecracking is about precision, focus, dedication, and above all, passion.” – Ludwig Dieter
• “It’s not just a job. It’s an adventure.” – Gwendoline Starr
• “The harder the job, the greater the reward.” – Ludwig Dieter

Behind-the-Scenes
Matthias Schweighöfer not only starred in Army of Thieves but also directed the film, bringing his unique vision to the project. The movie was shot across several picturesque European locations, which added to its visual appeal. The cast underwent extensive training for their roles, particularly in safecracking and stunt work, to bring authenticity to the heist sequences. The film’s tone is lighter and more comedic than Army of the Dead, offering a fun and engaging experience that complements its predecessor while standing on its own.

Awards

• Nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure Film
• Nominated for the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actor in an Action Movie (Matthias Schweighöfer)

Final Verdict
Army of Thieves is a charming and enjoyable heist film that expands the world introduced in Army of the Dead while focusing on the backstory of one of its most beloved characters. With its clever heist plot, engaging performances, and stylish direction, the film offers a refreshing mix of action, comedy, and romance. Matthias Schweighöfer shines in both his roles as the lead actor and director, making Army of Thieves a must-watch for fans of heist films and the Army franchise alike.

IMDb Rating
6.4/10