ARMY OF THIEVES
Fast, funny heists with strong language — for discerning adults only.
Should You Watch It?
Army of Thieves is a fairly entertaining crime caper with many laughs, exciting action set-pieces, and a terrific comic performance from Matthias Schweighofer, who also directs. The heists move smoothly, the visual effects are nifty, and the bicycle escape has top-notch stuntwork and cinematography.
The cost is significant. The movie contains at least 28 obscenities, including 19 “f” words, along with a Jesus profanity and a GD profanity. It also asks you to cheer for a gang of thieves as they crack safes and steal money. The plot is thin outside the heists, and the climax mainly sets up Army of the Dead rather than providing another strong comic action sequence.
If you are a discerning adult who can accept those concerns, this is worth watching. For family viewing, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESLudwig Dieter is a German bank teller and safecracker enthusiast who hosts videos about the world’s most intricate safes. A mysterious invitation leads him to a competition, where he is recruited by Gwendoline Starr and her gang of thieves.
Their mission is to crack four extraordinarily difficult safes, each named after an opera in Wagner’s “Ring” cycle. As Ludwig grows closer to Gwendoline, jealousy sparks a rivalry within the group while an Interpol agent pursues them.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a lively, fairly entertaining movie with clear strengths and weaknesses. Schweighofer gives an outstanding comic performance, delivering Ludwig’s nervous gasps and shrieks with hilarious effect. The action moves quickly, and the vault-cracking sequences use slick visual effects.
The bicycle escape is the film’s tour de force. Its stuntwork and cinematography are absolutely top-notch. However, the plot is thin outside the heists, and the climax is a letdown because it mainly transitions into the events of Army of the Dead. The cast carries the weaker material.
The Worldview
The film has a very strong pagan worldview, according to the source review, and it asks viewers to root for a gang of thieves as they crack safes and steal money. Its central moral posture treats the criminals’ success as the goal of the adventure rather than challenging that wrongdoing.
That makes the movie depart from a biblical view of honesty and wealth. Scripture warns, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The film’s comic tone may make the thieves appealing, but the audience still must decide whether their actions deserve celebration.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Dominant Worldview: Very strong pagan in a heist movie where viewers are asked to root for a gang of thieves to crack a bunch of safes and steal the money
Foul Language
At least, 28 obscenities (including 19 “f” words), one Jesus profanity, and one GD profanity
Violence
Strong action violence includes one big car chase scene turns into a bike chase, a man is shot in the shoulder resulting in a bloody wound, a woman punches and kicks and knocks out the guards of an armored truck, a man and woman pull guns on each other in a showdown, a police officer is shot by a thief, man shoots shotgun to scare people in a bank and uses tranquilizers to knock out multiple police officers, a zombie takes a bite out of a man in a news report, and three other brief nightmares show scary zombies approaching a man, but no violence occurs
Sex
A few mild sexual jokes and references, as characters comment on the flirtation of a man and woman
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
In one scene, characters socially drink wine
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
The movie revolves around a series of heists, asking the audience to root for the thieves to succeed, and the jealousy of one gang member leads to his dangerous betrayal of another.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The movie asks viewers to root for thieves. Why can a funny presentation make wrongdoing seem acceptable?
Proverbs 12:22 · Ephesians 4:28The gang pursues vast wealth through dangerous heists. What does Scripture teach about the pull of money?
Matthew 6:19–21 · 1 Timothy 6:9–10Ludwig is drawn into a rivalry fueled by jealousy. How can jealousy damage relationships and judgment?
James 3:14–16 · Galatians 5:26The characters face pressure while trying to accomplish their mission. Where should Christians turn when they need wisdom?
James 1:5 · Proverbs 3:5–6The Final Word
Army of Thieves is a fast, funny, well-staged heist movie with a standout comic performance and an excellent bicycle escape. But strong language and the invitation to cheer for thieves make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other options, see.
