A Glean movie guide
The Perfect Con
Expect the unexpected.
Heist films where the plan is only half the story.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Usual Suspects
A legendary crime thriller built around one of the most famous plot twists in cinema history.
Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that a mythic crime lord, Keyser Soze, not only exists, but was also responsible for drawing him and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro harbor – leaving few survivors. Verbal lures his interrogators with an incredible story of the crime lord's almost supernatural prowess.
- 02
Inside Man
Spike Lee directs this sharp hostage drama that uses a non-linear structure to hide its true purpose.
When an armed, masked gang enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.
- 03
The Sting
This classic long-con caper remains the gold standard for layered deception and final reveals.
A novice con man teams up with an acknowledged master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling off the ultimate big con and swindling a fortune from a big-time mobster.
- 04
Ocean's Eleven
A masterclass in misdirection, this stylish film follows a crew pulling off a multi-stage Vegas casino heist.
Less than 24 hours into his parole, charismatic thief Danny Ocean is already rolling out his next plan: In one night, Danny's hand-picked crew of specialists will attempt to steal more than $150 million from three Las Vegas casinos. But to score the cash, Danny risks his chances of reconciling with ex-wife, Tess.
- 05
Now You See Me
This high-energy film blends stage magic with heist mechanics, relying on constant misdirection.
An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.
- 06
Heist
David Mamet’s dialogue-heavy thriller is packed with the kind of double-crosses that keep you guessing.
Joe Moore has a job he loves. He's a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His fence, Bergman, reneges on the money he's owed, and his wife may be betraying him with the fence's young lieutenant. Moore and his partner, Bobby Blane, and their utility man, Pinky Pincus, find themselves broke, betrayed, and blackmailed. Moore is forced to commit his crew to do one last big job.
- 07
The Bank Job
Based on a real event, this tense thriller reveals that the stolen goods are far more dangerous than the cash.
Terry is a small-time car dealer trying to leave his shady past behind and start a family. Martine is a beautiful model from Terry's old neighbourhood who knows that Terry is no angel. When Martine proposes a foolproof plan to rob a bank, Terry recognises the danger but realises this may be the opportunity of a lifetime.
- 08
Widows
A gritty, modern heist film that features a massive narrative pivot midway through the story.
A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses' criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, they join forces to pull off a heist.
- 09
Logan Lucky
A clever, blue-collar take on the heist genre that rewards viewers who pay attention to the details.
Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy and Clyde Logan set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.