A film review by Craig J. Koban October 7, 2022

EMILY THE CRIMINAL

2022, R, 95 mins.

Aubrey Plaza as Emily  /  Theo Rossi as Youcef  /  Megalyn Echikunwoke as Liz  /  Gina Gershon as Alice  /  Jonathan Avigdori as Khalil  /  Bernardo Badillo as Javier  /  Craig Stark as Chip  /  Brandon Sklenar as Brent

EMILY THE CRIMINAL serves triple threat duty as a crime drama, an expose of the haves and the have nots, and a searing character study of how one lone woman turns to theft as a way to get an upper hand her own crushing financial instability in the world.  

To say that this John Patton Ford written and directed feature film debut is nihilistic about many of our modern day economic woes would be a grand understatement, but it captures the desperate lengths that some will go to in order to get quick cash as well as understanding the tension filled thrill of the steal for crooks.  Beyond its thoughtful themes on financial inequalities, EMILY THE CRIMINAL represents yet another thoroughly winning and intoxicating turn for star Aubrey Plaza, who proves here as she has done time and time again how unafraid she is of just about any film genre and role challenge.  She started her career in low key comedic supporting roles (that she does excel at), but her mini and current career renaissance is planted firmly in films and parts with a dark underbelly, which makes her such a dexterous and unpredictably edgy performer. 

In the film Plaza plays the exceptionally poor titular character that's being crippled by her $70,000 in college debt and virtually no job prospects that can take advantage of her education (granted, she only has half of an impractical fine art degree, not to mention a criminal record that has made finding gainful employment with a high salary next to impossible).  She was once charged with both a DUI and aggravated assault, which is brought to the forefront during the film's difficult to watch opening scene, during which time she pitifully tries to defend herself and gain the position, much to her failure.  With a horrible anti-employment rap sheet and almost insurmountable financial struggles, the New Jersey born Emily is nearing the end of her rope.  Frustrating her even further is that the few close friends that she still has - like an old college friend (Megalyn Echikunwoke) - seem to have found career and monetary success.   

Emily's fortunes change one day when she's given a tip by a pal to a potentially lucrative job offer, which she eagerly gobbles up.  When she arrives for what she thinks will be another routine job interview she's surprised by the large warehouse setting and what appears to be a vast number of other applicants.  Leading this group meeting is the warehouse runner, Youcef (Theo Rossi), who gives all in attendance of opportunity to become "dummer shoppers."  In short, everyone is given a stolen credit card in an envelope and is tasked with making a specific purchase at selected retail chains.  Their quick reward for job completion is a few hundred dollars.  Despite the obvious threat of being caught, Emily is drawn into this scheme by the prospect of a quick payday for what amounts to be a few minutes of work.  When her first stolen credit card purchase goes through successfully (albeit with some at-the-pay counter tension) and she gets paid fast by Youcef she wants to immediately jump back into the fire, so to speak, and make another score.  Youcef sees the spark in his new hire's eyes and decides to give her increasingly complex and big purchases to make.  The scenarios get more twisted and dangerous, leading in one instance to Emily almost being beaten to a pulp by one seller that discovers her ruse.  When she returns bloodied and shaken back to Youcef she's enraged with the predicament he places his workers in.  In return, he displays genuine concern for her well being and decides to give her more of a guided and intimate tour into his criminal underworld business and who he is as a person underneath it all.   

One of the best things about EMILY THE CRIMINAL is the whole crooked concept of these dummy shoppers and how they use stolen credit cards to buy goods that Youcef and his team, in turn, can sell for money.  It's more than a bit sinister (and definitely made me want to ensure that my credit card is very secure in my wallet upon leaving my home next).  The consumer goods purchasing scam starts small (big screen TVs) and then slowly migrates up to larger targets (cars), but with the added perils involved in continually upping the ante.  Emily's first score is handled exceptionally well by Ford in an unbelievably nerve wracking scene when the TV she's trying to purchase seemingly takes forever when her stolen card doesn't initially process as quickly as it should.  The tension is elevated when one considers that it's just Emily and herself alone that would be forced to flee quickly if the scheme goes foul, and it's that ethereal thrill of the crime and not getting caught (and, of course, the big reward for success) that fuels Emily like an addictive drug as the story progresses.  And her relationship with Youcef doesn't quite go down the roads that I was expecting for this type of material, with her getting to learn how he has genuine aspirations of going legit after he secures enough money to buy an apartment complex.  Her newfound appreciation for Youcef - and her increasing fondness for him - helps drive her to continue on as one of his many accomplices.   

EMILY THE CRIMINAL also has an immediacy as a topical thriller, and it's underlining story of a poverty and debt riddled twentysomething trying to use any means necessary to get out of the hole - and while so many rich fat cats around her seem to be getting more affluent by the minute - will definitely strike a chord with many viewers.  Even though Emily is unsympathetic for the crimes she commits (which are indefensible), her personal struggles pre-crime are relatable for how being hopelessly insolvent and with no light at the end of the tunnel can be a nightmarish predicament for anyone.  Even when Emily tries to go straight and takes a job interview (at a respected agency where her friend works) she becomes instantly combative with the elitist minded boss (played by Gina Gershon) and her questions about her history and background.  This one per center can't seem to relate to Emily on her level, and it only fuels her rage and outward hostility.  In her mind, the whole economic system seems rigged, so...why not turn to crime and upset the tables? 

Emily's volatility is palpable and authentically drawn in the film, but Ford thankfully doesn't soft pedal her as a character or this material to somehow make her the sole victim here.  He doesn't even go out of his way to even make Emily likeable or, hell, even redeemable.  If she does have a commendable trait then it would be her almost impermeable defensive posturing that she places up when people try to take her down (and she absolutely does not take shit for anyone, even during a job interview).  Also, she's quick witted and sure footed, which you'd have to be in order to pull off Youcef's criminal plans successfully.  Ford's script never excuses this troubled woman, her past, and the choices she makes to secure financial freedom.  The fairly shrewd character dynamics at play are complimented greatly by the perfect casting of Plaza and by her wild card performance that has to walk this thorny line as far as anti-heroes go.  There are some depressing avenues that Plaza has to navigate around in portraying Emily, but she makes her rage and fever pitched anxieties about what she considers to be a corrupt world feel genuinely unsettling.  This might easily be one of her most ferociously empowered performances.