Emily the Criminal (2022) Movie Review
Emily the Criminal is the first feature film for writer and director John Patton Ford. With a degree from an art school and some obvious artistic talent (we see her drawing and sketching things in her spare time) Emily (Aubrey Plaza) seems poised to snag a well-paid job in some type of graphic design gig. But a DUI and minor assault charge from her younger years has made getting a “real job” virtually impossible as she’s unable to pass any type of background check. Instead she’s working a low-paying job at some type of food delivery service. The irony of Emily dropping off hot serving dishes to offices full of business women in smart suits won’t be lost on you.
Several job interviews lead nowhere. One for an internship is particularly memorable. Upon learning the internship is unpaid, Emily unleashes on the employer in the most savage fashion and Plaza’s deadpan delivery is the icing on the cake of a perfect scene. If you’ve ever suffered the indignity of interviewing for unpaid labor you will undoubtedly be cheering at Emily’s outburst. With job interviews a bust and hours getting cut at her food service gig, a co-worker connects Emily to a a job he says will help her get cash fast. The scheme is organized by Youcef (Theo Rossi) and his business partner. Essentially Emily is asked to buy items with stolen credit cards so they can be re-sold for a profit. As the rest of her life seems to only provide dead-ends, Emily latches onto the quick cash grab. Of course, all is not peaceful while committing crimes and Emily finds herself in hot water on numerous occasions.
John Patton Ford does an incredible job keeping the intensity high and the pace at a good clip. And the script is full of twists and turns that keep you invested throughout the 1 hour and 37 minute runtime. But the real reason Emily the Criminal is so mesmerizing is due to Aubrey Plaza, who has forged an unlikely path to stardom. Her signature deadpan delivery works wonders here as you’re torn between laughing at Emily and being scared of her. She is driven and constantly goes after what she wants, regardless of the dangers. She takes her fair share of bumps and bruises along the way, but the allure of money (and paying off her student loan debt) keeps her coming back for more each time. More than anything Emily the Criminal is an examination of the broken system and will likely resonate most for millennials who have typically been saddled with an absurd amount of student loan debt. Don’t let this movie slip under your radar, especially if you’re a fan of Plaza.
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You’re a millennial with student loan debt
2. You’ve loved Plaza since her Parks and Rec days
3. You like crime thrillers
