Emily the Criminal

Emily the Criminal, a 2022 American thriller film directed by John Patton Ford, delves into the lives of financially strained young adults navigating the challenges of adulthood. The film's narrative is a gripping depiction of the desperation that drives individuals into high-stakes, often illicit activities to make ends meet. The movie centers around Emily Benetto, played by Aubrey Plaza, a 27-year-old woman who, along with thousands of others her age, struggles to find stable employment and a decent income. After graduating from college, Emily found herself at a crossroads with limited job prospects and crippling student loan debt. The film illustrates the consequences of such stagnation through Emily's growing frustration and feelings of hopelessness. Desperate for financial stability, Emily takes on a gig as a medical clinical research coordinator, but the job barely pays the bills, and she's forced to turn to unconventional means to survive. Her life changes when she's approached by Youcef (Theo Rossi), a mysterious and charismatic middleman who offers her an intriguing opportunity. Youcef specializes in purchasing goods using stolen credit cards, a lucrative underground business that promises a high return on her investment. As Emily becomes embroiled in Youcef's world, she's seduced by the promise of quick cash and the illicit thrills that come with it. Youcef's charm and convincing sales pitch make the proposition almost too good to resist. However, beneath the surface, it's clear that Youcef's business is shrouded in secrecy and poses a significant risk to Emily's financial security and personal well-being. As the plot unfolds, Emily finds herself becoming increasingly enthralled by the fast-paced, high-stakes world of credit card swiping and reselling. Despite her initial reservations, she starts to participate in Youcef's heists, using the money to improve her lifestyle and even help her parents, who have been struggling financially for years. The adrenaline rush associated with these underground transactions starts to take over her life, making it increasingly difficult for Emily to separate her moral compass from her financial needs. Meanwhile, Emily's relationships with those around her begin to fray. Her friendship with Sue (Lilim Haddock), a struggling artist, is strained due to Emily's increased absence and preoccupation with the illicit activities. Sue's frustration with Emily's choices mirrors the concerns of those around her who disapprove of the path she's taken. A turning point in the film arrives when Emily and Youcef hatch a plan to increase their profits by purchasing a large quantity of goods using multiple credit cards at separate stores. However, their scheme is fraught with danger, and as they carry out their plan, they're forced to navigate a complex web of security measures, store employees, and the potential for detection. The stakes escalate when Emily and Youcef's operation comes to the attention of a cunning and ruthless adversary. This adversary, a master of the underworld, has Emily and Youcef in his crosshairs, threatening to unleash a devastating retaliation if his interests are not served. Throughout the film, John Patton Ford's direction effectively captures the atmosphere of unease and tension that permeates Emily's world. The cinematography and production design are crucial in conveying the gritty reality of Emily's circumstances, from the dingy apartments she shares with her friends to the seedy nightclubs and run-down stores where she and Youcef operate. In the end, Emily the Criminal offers a thought-provoking commentary on the economic realities faced by many young adults. The film asks difficult questions about the lengths to which people are willing to go to make ends meet in a society where the opportunities and financial stability that once seemed within reach have slipped further and further away.