Takers

Takers has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in the US on fuboTV and Starz Apple TV Channel. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,401 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Matt Dillon leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. Start it on fuboTV whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Takers earns its spot. At its heart, Takers understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A seasoned team of bank robbers, including Gordon Jennings, John Rahway, A.J., and brothers Jake and Jesse Attica successfully complete their latest heist and lead a life of luxury while planning their next job. When Ghost, a former member of their team, is released from prison he convinces the group to strike an armored car carrying $20 million. As the "Takers" carefully plot out their strategy and draw nearer to exacting the grand heist, a reckless police officer inches closer to apprehending the criminals. Matt Dillon and Paul Walker lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2010. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Takers 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, Takers delivers. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Matt Dillon carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.