American Heist
A reformed young man is pulled into a desperate bank robbery when his newly released brother demands repayment of an old family debt.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- bleak
- brooding
- crime movie night
- action thriller night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a poorly executed, conventional crime thriller with weak dramatic writing and limited suspense.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James feels indebted to Frankie for taking responsibility for their earlier crime, making the sibling bond the emotional engine of the robbery.
Frankie frames the bank robbery as one last job that can solve both brothers' financial and personal problems.
James has secured steady employment and renewed his relationship with Emily before Frankie's release pulls him back toward crime.
The planned bank job is inseparable from James's relationship with Frankie and his courtship of Emily.
Films like American Heist, and why
The Town
crime thriller structure, bank robbery, troubled family loyalty, and tense underworld relationships
We Own the Night
brother-centered crime drama, heist planning, and conflicted loyalty between criminals and loved ones
Out of the Furnace
bleak crime drama, prison-linked criminal history, and family bonds tested by an escalating robbery
Movie Details
- Director
- Sarik Andreasyan
- Release Date
- 2014-09-11
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 4.8 / 10 (397)
Cast
- Hayden Christensen
- Adrien Brody
- Jordana Brewster
- Akon
- Tory Kittles
- Laura Cayouette
- Elena Sanchez
- Luis Da Silva, Jr.
- Joe Chrest
- Judd Lormand
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is American Heist about?
- A reformed young man is pulled into a desperate bank robbery when his newly released brother demands repayment of an old family debt.
- What is American Heist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of American Heist as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is American Heist violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in American Heist as moderate.
- What did critics think of American Heist?
- Critics broadly found the film a poorly executed, conventional crime thriller with weak dramatic writing and limited suspense.
- Which films are like American Heist?
- Films with a similar feel include The Town, We Own the Night, and Out of the Furnace.
- How long is American Heist?
- American Heist runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch American Heist?
- In United States, American Heist streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel.
