Can a romantic heist comedy thrive in the shadow of a global zombie apocalypse?
In short: Army of Thieves serves as a prequel to the zombie-filled Army of the Dead, yet it pivots to an entirely different genre. By focusing on the legendary safes of Hans Wagner, the film trades undead horror for a high-stakes, international caper driven by romance and the thrill of the impossible.
Released on Netflix in October 2021, Army of Thieves follows the origin story of Ludwig Dieter, a bank teller from Potsdam who transitions into a master safecracker. Directed by and starring Matthias Schweighöfer, the film depicts a world where a zombie outbreak in Nevada creates enough financial instability to provide the perfect cover for a series of daring bank robberies. While the undead loom in the background, the narrative centers on a crew recruited by the jewel thief Gwendoline Starr to target three legendary safes designed by the locksmith Hans Wagner.
The film blends elements of a traditional heist thriller with a romantic comedy, a tonal shift that producer Deborah Snyder compared to The Italian Job. The crew, including hacker Korina Dominguez and gunman Brad Cage, travels across Europe to crack the safes before they are decommissioned. As Sebastian—later known as Ludwig Dieter—navigates these challenges, he develops a deep connection with Gwendoline, leading to personal sacrifices and a vow to reunite once the chaos of their criminal life subsides. The plot ultimately bridges the gap to the events of the franchise's first installment.
Critical reception to the film was mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 69% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 49 out of 100. Critics generally praised the performances of Schweighöfer and Nathalie Emmanuel, though some found the plot unoriginal. Despite the varied reviews, the film saw significant commercial success on streaming platforms, topping Netflix's weekly rankings in over 90 countries during its debut week and accumulating 49.64 million hours viewed in that initial period alone.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Army of Thieves
- Also: Wikidata — Army of Thieves · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Army of Thieves – Soundtrack from the Netflix Film · CC0
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