Skip to content
MovieCove
Heist

Heist

It isn't love that makes the world go round.

2001109 minRMidcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Director
David Mamet
Starring
Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell

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.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Heist?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Heist streaming on Pluto TV (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Subscription

FreeFree

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Heist?

Heist earns 7 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Box Office Flop.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Heist worth watching?

Heist's Midcredits score is the 61st percentile of all films, from 65K ratings across 6 sources. 55% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

61st percentile

Better received than 61% of films

76th percentile among Action59th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)62nd
Approval (how many liked it)59th

65 /100

62nd percentile of all films

78th percentile among Action61st percentile among 2000s

Critics 66 · Audience 65

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.6 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

55% liked it

59th percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Action57th percentile among 2000s
55% rated it 7–1045% rated it 1–6

Critics 66% · Audience 60%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

93rd percentile

65K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Action88th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 14% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$39M
Opening weekend$7.8M
Domestic gross$24M
Worldwide gross$29M

Returned 0.7× its budget — 71st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A twisty heist thriller driven by stylized dialogue and a strong ensemble cast.

Fans praised

  • Mamet's snappy, quotable dialogue and criminal patois
  • Top-notch cast delivering strong performances across the board
  • Intricate plot with clever twists and double-crosses

Detractors panned

  • Overcomplicated plot with too many twists that lose impact
  • Stilted, unnatural dialogue that feels forced and pretentious
  • Rebecca Pidgeon's performance as wooden and unconvincing

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

Strong performances from Hackman, DeVito, Lindo; Pidgeon widely panned

DialogueDivisive65

Trademark Mamet wordplay; detractors find it unnatural and grating

CharactersDivisive62

Layered but some found clichéd or two-dimensional

Plot and storyDivisive55

Widely seen as overcomplicated with too many twists

Pacing55

Fast-paced but drags in sections; second half loses steam

TensionDivisive55

Effective in places but undermined by predictability

Originality50

Derivative one-last-job premise; some praise fresh heist mechanics

EndingDivisive45

Divided: satisfying twist or predictable and unsatisfying

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 18 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 19 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Heist like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you can give it your full attention, and you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrilling
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Hardboiled · 1% of films: Terse, unsentimental, noir-inflected.Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film is played straight and tough, with a cool, detached style and Mamet's trademark sharp, knowing dialogue.
The rideThe film maintains a consistent tension throughout, with the most intense pressure during the central heist and the subsequent double-crosses.
StructureThe story is told in linear order following the crew's planning and execution of the heist.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayAn enjoyable heist thriller with clever twists that leaves you entertained and fired up.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeJoe Moore and his crew are forced by fence Mickey Bergman to do a dangerous gold heist; the story centers on overcoming Bergman's coercion and betrayal.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores Joe Moore's desire to get out of a life he didn't choose and the loyalty (and its betrayals) that binds his crew to him through one last job.
StanceThe film treats the thieves' world and the theme of purpose with a detached, observational eye, neither celebrating nor condemning their choices.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanStylized realism
JazzOrchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Theodore Shapiro
SettingNew York City's low-rent criminal milieu: pawnshops, diners, back alleys and motels
MusicThe score blends cool jazz and modernist orchestral colors, adding a noirish sophistication without overwhelming the dialogue.

Content guide

Is Heist okay for kids?

R

Heist is rated R: “Rated R for language and some violence” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (75/100), sexual content at mild (30/100), language at severe (95/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (62/100) and frightening material at intense (64/100). Overall it is heavier than 78% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Czechia12+
  • Netherlands12
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 87% of all filmsHeavier than 78% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 57%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 25%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 98%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 80%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 54%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: language, violence, frightening material, and drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Heist have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Heist?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Gene Hackman
as Joe Moore
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Danny DeVito
as Mickey Bergman
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Delroy Lindo
as Bobby 'Bob' Blane
Sam Rockwell
as Jimmy Silk
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rebecca Pidgeon
as Fran Moore
Ricky Jay
as Don 'Pinky' Pincus
Patti LuPone
as Betty Croft
Alan Bilzerian
as Fast Food Customer
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Richard L. Friedman
as Counterman
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Robert Lussier
as Fast Food Cook
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Heist?

Movies like Heist include The League of Gentlemen (1960), Welcome to Collinwood (2002) and The Spanish Prisoner (1997). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by David Mamet, and several are stories about tyrants.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its story type: heist. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Heist?

1.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: thief. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.