Year: 1981
Runtime: 122 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Mann
A ruthless Russian gangster takes three young men under his wing, offering them a shortcut to wealth and influence within the criminal underworld. As they become increasingly involved in a world of violence and deceit, they discover the dark and dangerous reality behind their promises and face the consequences of their choices.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Thief yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Trace every key event in Thief (1981) 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.
Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Professional criminals risk everything for a final shot at freedom.If you liked the desperate, high-stakes gamble for freedom in Thief, explore these movies about professional criminals attempting one final job. These similar crime stories feature tense heists, ruthless underworld figures, and protagonists yearning to escape their violent lives.
These narratives follow a linear but layered path: an expert is compelled by circumstances or coercion into a final, dangerous score. The plan is methodical, but external pressures and betrayals escalate the tension, leading to a violent climax where the protagonist's dream of a peaceful life is often sacrificed for survival or vengeance.
Movies in this thread share a core premise of a final, defining heist, a gritty and oppressive tone, and a protagonist burdened by the desire for a normal existence. They are united by high intensity, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the professional's code amidst a world of deceit.
When betrayal shatters a criminal's life, only violent retribution remains.For viewers who appreciated the explosive, pyrrhic vengeance in Thief, this collection features similar stories of brutal retribution within the criminal underworld. These movies share a heavy emotional weight, high violence, and protagonists pushed to their absolute limit.
The narrative pattern involves a fragile equilibrium within a criminal enterprise being shattered by a act of supreme betrayal, often targeting the protagonist's loved ones or dreams. This catalyst ignites a single-minded, violent crusade where the protagonist uses their expertise not for profit, but for destruction, culminating in a finale that is victorious yet devastatingly hollow.
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Don't stop at just watching — explore Thief 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 Thief is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Thief, 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.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Thief. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Thief that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Thief: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Thief that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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