Criss Cross

The story unfolds in the immediate postwar era, when cities were rebuilding and crime networks still thrived. The noir mood is sharpened by cynicism, fragile loyalties, and a sense that money and love come with a deadly price. The period shapes the characters’ decisions and the escalating stakes of the heist.

Set in the gritty urban backdrop of Los Angeles in the late 1940s, the film places its drama among sunlit streets, nightclub glitz, and a volatile underworld. The city’s postwar energy and nocturnal corners become the stage for a high-stakes armored-truck caper. The atmosphere blends glamour with danger, driving the tension between love, loyalty, and crime.

💔 Love & Betrayal

Steve's longing for Anna collides with her self-serving actions and clandestine romance with Dundee. The affair fuels the tension leading to a fateful double-cross. Trust collapses as loyalty is tested and the couple's relationship becomes a liability.

💰 Greed & Survival

The stolen payroll drives the plot and motivates the players to seize money at all costs. Anna's refusal to help Steve underscores a survival-first mindset. Dundee's greed clashes with Thompson's desire to alter their fates, escalating the danger.

🔫 Violence & Consequences

A failed heist and a deadly shootout redefine each character's fate. Thompson's earlier defense against robbers earns him reluctant hero status while losing half the payroll anyway. Anna dies in Thompson's arms as sirens approach, underscoring the cost of crime.