Bandit

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1:59

Bandit

R

Released Sep 23, 2022

2h 6m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 1985, Gilbert Galvan Jr (Josh Duhamel), a charming career criminal, escapes from a US prison in Michigan and crosses the border into Canada where he assumes the identity Robert Whiteman. After falling in love with Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert), a caring social worker he can't provide for, he turns to robbing banks and discovers that he's exceptionally good at it. Under the guise of a security analyst, Robert begins flying around the country robbing multiple cities in a day, eventually catching the attention of national news outlets that dub him The Flying Bandit. Addicted to the rush and money that provides his double life, Robert eventually turns to loanshark and reputed gangster Tommy Kay (Mel Gibson) for bigger opportunities. But with Robert's notoriety growing in record time, he is put into the direct sights of a ruthless detective (Nestor Carbonell) who will stop at nothing to bring him down.

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Critics Consensus

It struggles to consistently capture its fact-based story's stranger-than-fiction charm, but Bandit mostly works -- and Josh Duhamel has never been better.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

One of those true-crime films where you come away with the impression that the film-makers have spent a bit too long hanging out with their subject, sitting in smoky bars listening to tall tales about the good ol’ bad days.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 28, 2023

Full Review

Dominic Baez

Seattle Times

Too few moments stand out because the film’s plot is just too disjointed.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman

TheWrap

That he captivates so many of his victims is only understandable because he’s played with so much elan by Duhamel. (It may occur to you while watching that the star would have made a great, old-school Bond.)

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

Pablo O. Scholz

Clarín

Bandit is effective and entertaining. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/4

Nov 25, 2024

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

With an agile narrative, Bandit is a fresh option for lovers of heist, action, and comedy films. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Nov 19, 2024

Full Review

Abhishek Srivastava

The Times of India

Bandit is a passable entertainment, but it falls short of being remarkable. It's an average film that is likely to be forgettable once it ends.

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2023

Full Review

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Daniel Z

In '80s-based, true-crime drama "Bandit" Josh Duhamel (excellent) is a small-time American escaped felon who sets up in Canada where with his attempts to go straight faltering & new serious girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert to support, he becomes an unprecedentedly prolific nationwide bank robber sponsored by organised crime boss Mel Gibson (decent)... but the tenacious po-po (led well by Nestor Carbonell & Swen Temmel) are on their trail. Kraig Wenman's screenplay is witty, well paced & engaging (if a tad skewed to laud Gibson's character (probably less likeable in real life) and director Allan Ungar delivers it in slick, bright style. This is a must see for heist movie fans

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

Filmgal G

What sets Bandit apart from other heist films is its ability to balance heart-pounding action sequences with an engaging narrative. The screenplay intelligently weaves together a cat-and-mouse game between the Bandit and the detective, keeping the audience guessing at every turn. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, adding an extra layer of intensity to their scenes together.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

Pongo K

Cool movie, based on a true story. Light comedy, but what is a Boeing 787 ding in a movie based on the 1980s...?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Janis E

I just happened to turn on Showtime and saw this movie on. I don't care for Mel Gibson but I was pleasantly surprised by the writing and acting by the lead character. The dialogue was very good and acting good from everyone, actually.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Gina R

'80s-based, true-crime drama "Bandit" Josh Duhamel (excellent) is a small-time American escaped felon who sets up in Canada where with his attempts to go straight faltering & new serious girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert to support, he becomes an unprecedentedly prolific nationwide bank robber sponsored by organised crime boss Mel Gibson (decent)... but the tenacious po-po (led by Nestor Carbonell (good) & Swen Temmel) are on their trail. Kraig Wenman's screenplay is well paced & engaging (if a tad skewed to laud Gibson's character (probably less likeable in real life) and director Allan Ungar delivers it in slick, bright style. This is a must see for heist movie fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Movie g

A very quotable movie with an epic cast and performances

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

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Allan Ungar

Director

Josh Duhamel

Gilbert Galvan Jr.

Mel Gibson

Tommy

Elisha Cuthbert

Andrea

Olivia d'Abo

Linda

Nestor Carbonell

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Bandit: Trailer 1

1:59

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Synopsis

In 1985, Gilbert Galvan Jr (Josh Duhamel), a charming career criminal, escapes from a US prison in Michigan and crosses the border into Canada where he assumes the identity Robert Whiteman. After falling in love with Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert), a caring social worker he can't provide for, he turns to robbing banks and discovers that he's exceptionally good at it. Under the guise of a security analyst, Robert begins flying around the country robbing multiple cities in a day, eventually catching the attention of national news outlets that dub him The Flying Bandit. Addicted to the rush and money that provides his double life, Robert eventually turns to loanshark and reputed gangster Tommy Kay (Mel Gibson) for bigger opportunities. But with Robert's notoriety growing in record time, he is put into the direct sights of a ruthless detective (Nestor Carbonell) who will stop at nothing to bring him down.

Director: Allan Ungar
Producer: Jordan Beckerman, Eric Gozlan, Jordan Yale Levine
Screenwriter: Kraig Wenman
Distributor: Quiver Distribution
Production Co: Buffalo 8 Productions, Goldrush Entertainment, BondIt Media Capital, Complex Corp , Metrol Technology, Lucky 13 Productions, Head Gear Films, Yale Productions, Kreo Films FZ
Rating: R (Some Sexual Material/Nudity|Language Throughout)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2022
Runtime: 2h 6m

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