3.5 out of 5 stars
Aubrey Plaza has steadily established herself as a comedic talent and an increasingly dramatic one with her recent independent films like Ingrid Goes West and Black Bear. Her latest work, Emily the Criminal, is easily her most dramatic turn. Still, even its jet-black material is not immune to her dark comedic sensibilities.
Here she stars as Emily, a struggling artist unable to get a good job due to her criminal record. Overwhelmed by student debt and needing a quick fix, one of Emily’s coworkers gives her a phone number and tells her to text it and she’ll make $200 cash. This simple action leads Emily into the dark world of credit card fraud. As she is enveloped in a ring of thieves using stolen bank details to make luxury purchases, led by the mysterious and charismatic Youcef (Theo Rossi). Together the pair begin to take more considerable risks until everything spirals out of control.
This is a strongly constructed thriller written and directed by John Patton Ford. It’s grounded from the beginning and serves as an excellent character study of Emily. We understand why she does what she does. We sympathise with her struggles. However, I found myself asking: is she likeable? Is she redeemable? Is she a hero? She doesn’t seem to care what anyone else thinks. She’s a self-preserving, kick-ass, take no prisoners, no holds barred antihero.
There is something to be noted about the film's social commentary on “once a criminal, always a criminal.” This topic is handled well, even if it leads to many morally grey and disturbing choices. From tasers, to box cutters, there’s lots of very realistic action, and even as things escalate. It never stops being believable, even with car chases and home invasions.
Ultimately, Emily the Criminal is an incredibly entertaining and engaging thriller. It’s hard not to get invested, and I cannot imagine anyone not connecting with something the film has to offer. Aubrey Plaza is absolutely fantastic. It’s powerfully written, confidently directed, and is a criminally good time.
Reel Dialogue: A slave to debt
Emily’s problems stem from two main seeds: her previous criminal record and overwhelming student debts. Her record means she cannot get a job that pays well enough to repay her debts, and the cycle seems never-ending. Sometimes we may feel like we have no other options. That our debts, mistakes, situations, and sins are all too much to handle, and that we could never be able to live with God.
Yet, God does not leave us indebted to sin. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins, and cancel our debts, so that we can live for eternity with Him. There is nothing we have to do. No phone number to text message. No quick fix that we can execute. Jesus paid it all for us.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23
