Den of Thieves (2018) is a gritty heist thriller directed by Christian Gudegast, starring Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and 50 Cent. Set in Los Angeles, the film follows an elite crew of bank robbers led by Ray Merrimen (Schreiber) as they plan an ambitious heist on the Federal Reserve, while being pursued by the ruthless and morally ambiguous detective “Big Nick” OโBrien (Butler).
The movie opens with an armored truck heist in Los Angeles that quickly escalates into a deadly shootout, setting the tone for the high-octane events to follow. The perpetrators are an elite gang of criminals led by Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber), a disciplined and ruthless former Marine.
The case is taken up by “Big Nick” OโBrien (Gerard Butler), the head of the Major Crimes Unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriffโs Department. Nick is brash, unorthodox, and willing to cross ethical lines to bring down the criminals. His personal life is also in shambles, marked by infidelity and a deteriorating marriage.
Merrimenโs crew, which includes Enson Levoux (Curtis โ50 Centโ Jackson) and getaway driver Donnie Wilson (OโShea Jackson Jr.), begins planning their most ambitious heist yet: robbing the Federal Reserve Bank of Los Angeles. The Federal Reserve is known for its impenetrable security and destruction of old bills, making it a near-impossible target. However, Merrimen has devised a sophisticated plan to steal millions of dollars in untraceable cash before itโs shredded.
Nickโs team begins to close in on Merrimen, employing dirty tactics and even interrogating Donnie, a seemingly low-level member of the crew who works as a bartender. Donnie is caught between both groups, playing a dangerous game of survival.
The tension builds to a climactic showdown as Merrimenโs crew executes their meticulously planned heist. The movie culminates in a chaotic, high-stakes gunfight on the streets of Los Angeles, where allegiances are tested, and betrayals come to light.
The final twist reveals Donnie as the true mastermind, outsmarting both the criminals and the cops to escape with the money, leaving Nick stunned.