Emily the Criminal (2022): A Taut Thriller with a Wealth of Social Commentary

Emily the Criminal is a taut thriller that contains a wealth of social commentary. The movie stars Aubrey Plaza as Emily, a woman who is saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a minor criminal record. Desperate for income, she takes a shady gig as a “dummy shopper,” buying goods for people who don’t want to be seen in stores.

The movie is mostly as straightforward as its title, a punchy, pared-down little thriller about a woman rising in confidence as she falls deeper into a criminal underworld. The movie is stolen by Aubrey Plaza’s terrific work in the title role. Critics have praised Plaza’s performance and called it “fantastic”. The movie also contains a wealth of social commentary and shows how far a person is capable of going when society turns its back on them.

Emily the Criminal isn’t as subtle as its forebears. Its talky attitude toward its politics is out of place in a movie that feels almost too extreme otherwise, with an ascent into choices and plot twists that are laudably ridiculous, but also a bit out of sync. However, the movie is still a brilliant piece of art that’s particularly relevant to today’s world. It’s almost terrifyingly realistic and shows how far a person is capable of going when society turns its back on them.

Overall, Emily the Criminal is a must-watch for fans of thrillers and social commentary. It’s an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that will leave you thinking long after it’s over.