Crime Spree

Crime Spree

Year: 2003

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Brad Mirman

ComedyCrimeAction

What starts as a simple, out‑of‑town job quickly turns into a nightmare for a team of French thieves when they inadvertently rob the Chicago mafia’s boss. Unfamiliar with American organized crime, they soon find the mob, the FBI and rival street gangs closing in, forcing them to scramble toward a desperate escape back to Paris.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Crime Spree (2003)

Trace every key event in Crime Spree (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Chicago assignment

Daniel Foray leads his unusual burglary team to Chicago to steal an expensive necklace from mafia boss Frank Zammeti. The plan is supposed to be straightforward, but the risk level is high as they enter unfamiliar territory. The move sets the stage for a chase that will test loyalties and nerve.

Start of the mission Chicago, USA
2

Doubts about the address

Sophie hints that they may have written the address incorrectly, sowing doubt within the team. The crew presses on with the job while tensions simmer under the surface. The possibility of misdirection hints at deeper plans behind the theft.

During pre-heist planning Chicago, USA
3

The setup is revealed

The burglars discover that Zammeti is the target and that authorities are stakeout, turning the job into a dangerous trap. They realize the operation is a setup orchestrated by corrupt FBI Agent Pogue and Laurent. The mission shifts from a simple theft to a fight for survival.

During the execution phase Zammeti residence vicinity, Chicago
4

Sophie and loot vanish

Sophie disappears with the money and other stolen items from Zammeti's safe, leaving the rest of the team blindsided. The betrayal reveals a larger conspiracy and tests the remaining burglars' trust. The group becomes fugitives rather than victors.

Immediately after the misdirection Chicago, USA
5

Pogue's double role exposed

The crew learns that Pogue has been colluding with Laurent to recover a stolen Van Gogh and to free Laurent's brother. Corrupt ties between the FBI and gangland interests come to light, complicating any chance of truth or justice. The stakes escalate as the team realizes they are pawns in a larger game.

Post-revelation Chicago, USA
6

Sophie is killed; framing begins

Pogue bludgeons Sophie to death and frames Sam, leaking the others' names to the media as accomplices. The murder turns the case into a full-blown manhunt for the six burglars. They become fugitives from both law and crime.

Immediately after Sophie's murder Chicago, USA
7

The tape negotiation

Pogue demands the audio tape stolen from Zammeti's safe and promises to alter the evidence if it is handed over. The tape is framed as the key to softening the case against Zammeti while leveraging the criminals. The team weighs their options as the clock ticks.

During the attempt to secure evidence Zammeti's residence, Chicago
8

Grant Park handover plan

The team, now fugitives, arranges a handover of the tape with Pogue in Grant Park, hoping to outmaneuver both Zammeti and the FBI. They work with street contacts to ensure the exchange goes off without a hitch. The plan also aims to expose Pogue's corruption.

During the exchange setup Grant Park, Chicago
9

Pogue's fake confession and murder

Pogue is secretly filmed confessing to Sophie’s murder as part of the plan, but the supposed confession is thwarted when the gang realizes the tape is actually Wayne Newton's song. Zammeti’s underboss uses the moment to kill Pogue, ending his treachery. The town's chaos continues as the group struggles to salvage something from the fiasco.

During the exchange shortly after the recording is made Grant Park, Chicago
10

The car swap and street war

Raymond gifts Zammeti's younger brother a stolen muscle car to provoke a deadly shootout between Zammeti's faction and the street gang they had crossed earlier. The confrontation erupts on Chicago's streets, leaving casualties on both sides. The plan to control the tape spins further into chaos.

After the Pogue incident Chicago streets
11

Daniel reveals the incriminating tape

Daniel replays Giancarlo Zammeti's incriminating tape, exposing the betrayal that galvanized the crime. He demands a small fortune and safe return to France as a condition for heads-up about the next move. The news of the betrayal shifts power among the mob and the criminals alike.

Following the shootout Grant Park, Chicago
12

Laurent's fate and the counterfeit money

Zammeti is dead and Laurent seems poised to be killed by Giancarlo's right-hand man, but the burglars discover the suitcase contains counterfeit money rather than real loot. The truth reveals the entire caper was built on deceit from multiple sides. The group realizes their prospects have never been certain.

After Zammeti's death Chicago, USA
13

The Van Gogh goes into the river; escape attempt

Laurent's Van Gogh painting is blown into the Chicago River, and the burglars dive in to retrieve what they can. The water becomes their only exit as they swim away, with the outcome of their latest pursuit left unknown. The film ends on an unresolved note about their future.

Finale Chicago River, Chicago

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:35

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These films are connected by the core 'fish out of water' dynamic within a crime context. They share a specific tone of anxious tension and claustrophobia, generated by the characters' vulnerability and cultural disorientation, which directly fuels the plot's complications and relentless pacing.

Unlock the Full Story of Crime Spree

Don't stop at just watching — explore Crime Spree in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Crime Spree is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Crime Spree Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Crime Spree, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Crime Spree Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Crime Spree

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Crime Spree

Crime Spree Spoiler-Free Summary

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Crime Spree Spoiler-Free Summary

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