PremiumGhost on OTT: Five superb heist thrillers you must binge on Netflix, Prime Video and other OTT
As we gear up to Ghost's OTT debut, here's a list of five compelling heist thrillers that you must add to your binge list.
Last Updated: 01.14 PM, Nov 16, 2023
MG Srinivas' 'Ghost' impressed both critics and audiences with its taut narrative, superb background score and strong central performances by leading man Shiva Rajkumar, Jayaram and others. Also, Kannada cinema patrons were excited to see a heist action thriller on the big screen considering that the genre hasn't been explored to a great extent in the past. Ghost released in theatres on October 19, yielding good results at the box office, and is now set to premiere on Zee5 on November 17th.
So, as we look forward to the film's OTT debut, here's a list of five of the best heist thrillers that are currently streaming on digital platforms. Each of these films will work as a great companion piece to 'Ghost' and boasts an unconventional storyline, filmmaking technique and so much more to make it a compelling watch. Put everything aside and add these to your binge list right away!
Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee's subversive heist film follows mastermind criminal Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) who seizes control of a Manhattan bank and holds both employees and customers hostage. NYPD's competent hostage negotiator, Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) is assigned to the task but he soon realizes Russell's plan is more and more convolute and is then compelled to work with 'fixer' Madeleine White (Jodie Foster). Turns out, more than the huge piles of cash stacked inside the bank, there's something way more precious (and possibly incriminating) that needs to be guarded but can Dalton Russell be stopped from executing what he terms the "perfect bank robbery"?
Where to watch: Netflix
The Town (2010)
Ben Affleck directs and stars in this impressive heist film that follows a gang of four robbers who loot a bank and take the manager hostage. When they do eventually release her, the chief of the gang keeps an eye on the manager's movements so as to ensure that she doesn't go to the police and in this pursuit, he ends up falling in love with her. Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Jon Hamm and others, too, star in this film.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Baby Driver (2017)
Another unconventional heist film that is imbued with British writer-director Edgar Wright's trademarks. Baby, played by Ansel Elgort, is a gifted getaway driver who works with mastermind heist orchestrator 'Doc' (Kevin Spacey) so that he can pay off his debt and lead a simpler life. Right on cue, he falls in love with Debora, a waitress, and just when things seem perfectly laid out for Baby, Doc pulls him back into the life of crime by threatening to kill his girlfriend. Can Baby get rid of Doc's menace and find that life he has always chased? Watch Baby Driver for some incredible action choreography and a most groovy soundtrack.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Logan Lucky (2017)
Steven Soderbergh has already delivered a benchmark heist film in Ocean's Eleven (and Twelve) but with Logan Lucky, he proves just why he is rated so high in the filmmaking community. Channing Tatum plays Jimmy Logan who plans to rob a Speedway (a racing circuit) with his knowledge of the pneumatic tube system. For this, he puts together a motley crew consisting of his war veteran brother Clyde (Adam Driver), sister and hairdresser Mellie (Riley Keough) and safe-cracking criminal Joe Bang (a superb Daniel Craig) who must first be broken out of prison. If you enjoy heist films that have a sense of humour about them, this one's a must-watch.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
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Wrath of Man (2021)
Not many can boast about doing a better job than Guy Ritchie at pulling off a compelling crime movie and the seasoned director proves with Wrath of Man just how skilful he is at delivering a compelling heist film. He reunites with Jason Statham who plays H, a man who works for a cash-moving transport company and possesses great skills at neutralizing robbers. There is, of course, a more-than-meets-the-eye situation here because we learn that H isn't just an ordinary mystery man but could be someone seeking revenge. Enough said.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video