King of Thieves

King of Thieves has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on Stan and Britbox Apple TV Channel , and in the US on Philo and Fawesome. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Michael Caine work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Start it on Stan whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

King of Thieves is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting gives King of Thieves its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. London, England, April 2015. Brian Reader, a retired thief, gathers an unlikely gang of burglars to perpetrate the biggest and boldest heist in British history. The thieves assault the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company and escape with millions in goods and money. Michael Caine and Jim Broadbent lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. King of Thieves came out in 2018. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — King of Thieves passes that test consistently. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, King of Thieves delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch Michael Caine work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.