Emily the Criminal

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2:13

Emily the Criminal

R

Released Aug 12, 2022

1h 37m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

209 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

Emily (Aubrey Plaza) 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 with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to bring their business to the next level in Los Angeles.

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Critics Consensus

A taut thriller that contains a wealth of social commentary, Emily the Criminal is stolen by Aubrey Plaza's terrific work in the title role.

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Audience Says

Emily the Criminal gets pretty dark and the characters can be unlikable, but Aubrey Plaza is fantastic in the title role.

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Director John Patton Ford gives us a modern thriller that also works as an excoriation of the economic injustices that separate the haves from the have-nots in America.

Aug 1, 2024

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

As an arts graduate on the wrong side of inequality, Plaza is riveting as a young woman finding her foot in the Los Angeles underworld.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 16, 2023

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Catherine Bray

Empire Magazine

As neatly set-up as the world of the film is, it wouldn’t work half as well without Aubrey Plaza’s brilliantly specific lead performance, portraying Emily as an emotionally shut-down woman on the edge.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 25, 2023

Full Review

Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

At times, I can’t tell if we’re supposed to believe that there is a darkness inside Emily that is kicked and pushed around until it’s inverted. If so, I sorta wish they devised a descent of ludicrous ends.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 20, 2025

Full Review

Michael Cook

Geek Vibes Nation

Buoyed by excellent performances from Plaza and Rossi and a tight, character-driven script, Emily the Criminal is an absolutely thrilling experience from start to finish.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 17, 2025

Full Review

Juan Pablo Russo

EscribiendoCine

In this film, drama is intertwined with moments of action, but it is Plaza's performance that really stands out, as she manages to give her character a complex dimension that transcends what is expected. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Mar 10, 2025

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J Anton

Aubrey Plaza is baddazz!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/22

Full Review

Michele W

Love Aubrey Plaza, the movie was just sort of mellow. Nothing crazy. good or bad. Just a way to kill a couple hours.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/22

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Sean

Plaza is outstanding. Her supporting cast was good but the difference between this being a good rather than great flick.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/22

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Angela

Fckn brilliant. Another swish for Evil Hag we were on the edge our seats, curling our fingers and toes, scrunching our faces and opening our eyes! Engaging, intriguing!! !! The drive home took like 15 seconds relatively because we couldnt stop talking about it!!! Treat yourself!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

joe r

Intriguing shes great

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/03/22

Full Review

Kory S

Good plot driven film. Motivations were good and believable. good acting. really enjoyed it

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/03/22

Full Review

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John Patton Ford

Director

Aubrey Plaza

Emily

Theo Rossi

Youcef

Megalyn Echikunwoke

Liz

Jonathan Avigdori

Khalil

Kim Yarbrough

Secretary

Emily the Criminal: Exclusive Movie Clip - The Interview

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Emily the Criminal: Movie Clip - Something Illegal

1:32

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Emily the Criminal: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Emily (Aubrey Plaza) 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 with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to bring their business to the next level in Los Angeles.

Director: John Patton Ford
Producer: Tyler Davidson, Aubrey Plaza, Drew Sykes
Screenwriter: John Patton Ford
Distributor: Roadside Attractions, Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: Low Spark Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Some Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 2022, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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