- R
- 1h 53m
- Directed by
-
- Ariel Vromen
- Writer
- Douglas S. Cook
- Premiered
- April 07, 2016
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $31,500,000.00
- Revenue
- $14,708,696.00
- Country
-
- Bulgaria
- France
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Criminal
- Production
-
- BenderSpink
- Campbell Grobman Films
- Criminal Productions
- Fipex Holding
- and 4 more
Spoiler
"Criminal," directed by Ariel Vromen, is a thrilling blend of action, crime, and science fiction that dives into the depths of memory and identity. The film kicks off with a striking scene on a beach where Jericho Stewart, played by Kevin Costner, stands alone, reflecting on the chaos that has unfolded in his life. With a voiceover, he ominously declares that those who believed they could control him were gravely mistaken, warning that anyone who dares to harm him will suffer even worse consequences. Just as he finishes his thought, a van pulls up, and a man steps out, setting the stage for the tumultuous events that are about to unfold.
The narrative then shifts to London, where CIA agent Bill Pope, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, is on a mission that quickly spirals into danger. Bill is seen picking up a duffle bag filled with cash while making a quick call to his wife, Jill, played by Gal Gadot. Their daughter, Emma, is also introduced, adding a personal stake to Bill's mission. Unbeknownst to him, he is being closely monitored by his superior, Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman), along with fellow agents Marta Lynch (Alice Eve), Esteban Ruiza (Amaury Nolasco), and Pete Greensleeves (Scott Adkins). The tension escalates as an anarchist named Xavier Heimdahl (Jordi Molla) and his accomplice, Elsa Mueller (Antje Traue), are on Bill's tail, leading to a violent confrontation that results in Bill's capture.
Bill is taken to a deserted building where Heimdahl tortures him in a desperate attempt to extract information about a notorious hacker known as Jan Stroop, aka "The Dutchman" (Michael Pitt). Stroop has developed a dangerous wormhole technology that could allow Heimdahl to bypass security systems and wreak havoc on global governments. Despite the brutal torture, Bill refuses to divulge any information, ultimately leading to his tragic demise at the hands of Heimdahl.
In the aftermath of Bill's death, the CIA turns to Dr. Franks (Tommy Lee Jones), who has been experimenting with a groundbreaking memory transfer procedure. The plan is to implant Bill's memories into a living subject to locate Stroop before he can unleash his catastrophic plans. The chosen subject is Jericho, a remorseless killer whose traumatic past has left him emotionally stunted. Jericho's childhood was marred by a horrific incident where his father threw him from a moving car, resulting in significant brain damage.
As the story unfolds, we see a brief interview with Heimdahl, where he expresses his radical belief that the world would be better off without governments, justifying his plans to dismantle them. This ideology sets the stage for the high-stakes conflict that follows.
Jericho is extracted from prison for the experimental procedure, which is fraught with risks. The memory transfer is a harrowing experience that nearly kills him, but he survives. As the procedure takes effect, Bill's memories begin to flood Jericho's mind, leading to a chaotic blend of identities. Meanwhile, the CIA learns that Stroop is willing to sell his program to the highest bidder, fearing for his safety after realizing Heimdahl's true intentions.
After the memory transplant, Jericho is being transported by CIA agents when he cleverly orchestrates an escape, using a makeshift weapon to injure one of the agents and cause a crash. He manages to evade capture by creating a diversion that makes it appear as though he has died in the explosion.
Now on the run, Jericho finds himself in a new world, grappling with Bill's memories and skills while trying to navigate his own violent instincts. He steals food and a van, eventually making his way to the Pope household, where he ties up Jill in a tense encounter. As he rummages through the house, he begins to experience more of Bill's memories, including tender moments with Jill and their daughter, Emma. One memory leads him to the hidden money bag, which he recalls is stashed behind a shelf of George Orwell books.
In a surprising turn, Jericho unties Jill, claiming that their daughter may have accidentally triggered a security alert. He manages to escape the house, but not before the CIA receives a video from Stroop, who is now looking to sell his program to the Russians, believing the CIA has betrayed him. The clock is ticking as the CIA scrambles to respond to Stroop's ultimatum.
As Jericho navigates the streets, he continues to experience Bill's memories, which are shaping his personality and skills. He attempts to order a drink in French but mistakenly uses Spanish, leading to a confrontation where he violently retaliates against a rude patron. Jericho's journey takes him to a library where he successfully logs into a computer using Bill's credentials, drawing the attention of the CIA.
Desperate for relief from the overwhelming memories, Jericho seeks out Dr. Franks for medication. Their meeting is closely monitored by the CIA, and shortly after, Jericho is apprehended by agents. However, Elsa, who has been tracking him, follows closely behind.
Tensions escalate when Heimdahl creates a diversion, making it appear as though Stroop has been spotted at an airport. This chaos leads to a violent confrontation between Heimdahl's men and the CIA, resulting in the deaths of several agents, including Marta Lynch. Jericho seizes the opportunity to escape by driving off a bridge, narrowly avoiding capture.
Returning to the Pope household, Jericho encounters Jill again, but this time, she is armed and ready to defend herself. However, he manages to convince her of his connection to Bill by recalling a cherished memory that only they would know. This moment of vulnerability leads Jill to realize that Jericho is not a threat to her or Emma, and she reluctantly allows him to stay the night.
The following morning, Jericho discovers the location of the money bag hidden in the university library where Jill works. As he heads there to retrieve it, Elsa breaks into the Pope home, abducting Jill and Emma. Meanwhile, Heimdahl's men capture Jericho, leading to a tense standoff where he remembers Stroop's location.
Under duress, Jericho is forced to guide Elsa to Jill's office, where they find Stroop. In a shocking twist, Elsa kills Stroop before Jericho can intervene. In a fit of rage, he retaliates and kills Elsa, using a lamp as a weapon.
With time running out, Jericho races to an airfield where Heimdahl plans to escape with Jill and Emma. Despite Wells urging him to reconsider, Jericho reluctantly hands over the drive containing Stroop's program to Heimdahl in exchange for the release of the hostages. However, Heimdahl shoots Jericho and makes his escape on a plane just as the CIA arrives.
In a final twist, Jericho reveals that he had Stroop reprogram the wormhole technology to ensure that any missile launched would return to its origin. This clever maneuver results in Heimdahl's plane being destroyed by its own missile, eliminating the threat once and for all.
The film concludes back at the beach where it all began, with Jericho, Jill, and Emma together, alongside Wells and Dr. Franks. Jill and Emma understand that Bill's essence lives on within Jericho, and Wells offers Jericho a chance at a new beginning, hinting at a potential future where he can use his unique experiences for good.
Top Billed Cast
Core Crew
Posters
Backdrops
