INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera. Please note that this is just one of the many movies I will have watched each year, and my initial grade for this film may change over time, for better or worse. To stay up to date on my thoughts about other movies and any potential changes in my opinion on this one, follow me on Letterboxd.
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PLOT
Via Letterboxd: Big Nick is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie, who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.
REVIEW
Admittedly, I never bothered to check out 2018’s Den of Thieves. It was an action film that seemingly came and went during what I’d consider a down year for great cinema, receiving middling reviews and developing a small cult following in the years since. So, I was surprised to learn we were getting a sequel seven years later with Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. Not only that, but it’s kicking off 2025 as the year’s first major release. With that in mind, I decided to do my homework, watching the original film in this budding series before diving into the sequel. My verdict? We’ve seen much worse ways to start a year than this passable follow-up.
The first Den of Thieves had a Heat-lite vibe, combining gritty action with a dual-focus narrative that explored both sides of its central conflict. At times, it was thrilling to watch the story unfold; at others, it leaned too hard into the macho bravado of its characters - particularly Gerard Butler’s protagonist, “Big Nick.” Butler returns in the sequel, as does O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie. The original film offered an engaging action thriller with an ensemble cast, capped off by a clever twist that elevated it to a solid B-tier film.
The sequel, however, feels more like a prototypical heist movie you might find on Netflix, pairing Nick and Donnie in an odd-couple dynamic. Gone is much of the grit from the first installment. Perhaps reflecting the evolving cultural landscape of the post “Me Too” era, the hyper-macho energy has been toned down considerably. As a result, Nick comes across as more likable this time around. While this shift makes the film less grating, it also robs it of some of the personality that defined its predecessor.
Butler is capable enough as Nick, dialing back the over-the-top alpha energy from the first film while still maintaining his personality. Jackson, meanwhile, struggles a bit in his role, especially during a subplot where Donnie pretends to be a suave French collector. His exaggerated accent is so unconvincing that it’s surprising none of the other characters call him out on it. The supporting cast of thieves failed to leave much of an impression on me, further emphasizing how this film feels less distinct than the original.
That said, the movie delivers on its action. There are well-executed car chases, tense heist sequences, and solidly crafted set pieces that keep you engaged. While the story attempts another twist in its conclusion, it’s far less imaginative than the first film’s and feels more like a setup for future sequels than a satisfying payoff that left me on a high.
Overall, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is far from groundbreaking but still an okay enough way to start the movie year. Compared to last year’s impressively dull Night Swim, this is a step up; a middling but entertaining film rather than an outright bad one. It’s not a movie I’ll remember much by year’s end, but fans of the original might find it enjoyable enough. After some deliberation, I’m giving it a soft B-. It’s not great, but for those itching for a new heist caper or wanting to take dad out to the movies right now, it gets the job done.
GRADING