Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- sardonic
- tense
- crime movie night
- heist double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be an intelligent, character-driven heist thriller distinguished by sharp dialogue, careful construction, and restrained action.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe Moore’s robbery planning and the crew’s negotiations rely on David Mamet’s compressed dialogue and tactical intelligence.
Joe is blackmailed after being caught on camera while also suspecting Fran and confronting Bergman’s financial betrayal.
Gene Hackman’s Joe Moore is an established thief whose compromised position compels one last major job.
The film emphasizes carefully staged robberies and restrained on-screen gunplay rather than elaborate special-effects spectacle.
Films like Heist, and why
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
verbal heist mechanics, double crosses, criminal professionalism, and cool ensemble chemistry
The Usual Suspects
witty crime plotting, tightly structured caper suspense, and morally flexible professionals
Thief
character-driven robbery planning, shifting loyalties, and restrained crime-thriller tension
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
stylish ensemble heist, betrayal, and sharp criminal dialogue
Movie Details
- Director
- David Mamet
- Release Date
- 2001-11-09
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (640)
Cast
- Gene Hackman
- Danny DeVito
- Delroy Lindo
- Sam Rockwell
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- Ricky Jay
- Patti LuPone
- Alan Bilzerian
- Richard L. Friedman
- Robert Lussier
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core 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 Heist about?
- A veteran thief assembles his crew for one final gold heist while betrayal and blackmail close in from every side.
- What is Heist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Heist as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Heist violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Heist as moderate.
- What did critics think of Heist?
- Critics broadly found the film to be an intelligent, character-driven heist thriller distinguished by sharp dialogue, careful construction, and restrained action.
- Which films are like Heist?
- Films with a similar feel include The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Usual Suspects, Thief, and The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
- How long is Heist?
- Heist runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Heist?
- In United States, Heist streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
