"How to Rob a Bank" Review

By: Gretchen Barnard

DIY culture has taken over the new generation. Tutorials are at our fingertips, allowing everyone to obtain niche skills. But what about robbing a bank? David Leitch's How to Rob a Bank lets viewers learn a questionably easy skill. In a downturned economy full of student debt, an impossible job market, and a lack of housing, young people in the workforce are constantly being screwed. The film follows a group of social media influencers who are eager to offer a solution: grand larceny. The “Pack” streams their multi-million-dollar heists on social media while posting tutorials on how to do so. They take social media by storm, gaining followers and creating anarchy. After all, everyone has a reason for revenge. How to Rob a Bank emphasizes the power of social media. The film is an attention-grabbing comedy-heist that perfectly reflects internet culture. Engaging visuals and sound effects mirror YouTube obsessions in a way only those who grew up with the internet can understand. With a killer soundtrack and incredible visuals, How to Rob a Bank is the Gen Z version of Jeanne Ryan’s Nerve. This film is a boredom buster that entertains without scrolling. Nicholas Hoult is the ultimate Robin Hood in his incredible leading performance. He leaves mystery yet expresses vulnerability that many Americans can relate to in the current corrupt health system. Pete Davidson's heartbreaking performance truly creates the narrative of the film by taking a step back from the fun and reminding the audience of the true meaning of the need for radicalization. Zoe Kravitz and John C. Reilly are the comedic duo we never expected, yet didn't know we needed. This film may show you how to rob a bank, but it also shows you how to become an instant cult classic.