Rating: R | Runtime: 97 minutes
Release Date: August 12th, 2022 (USA)
Studio: Roadside Attractions / Vertical Entertainment
Director(s): John Patton Ford
Writer(s): John Patton Ford

If you want to tell me what to do, put me on the f*cking payroll!

With a Gotham and Indie Spirit nomination for Best Actress, seeing Aubrey Plaza’s performance for myself meant I couldn’t skip Emily the Criminal this awards season. I’d say the acclaim is warranted as she’s great in the role. You could say it’s against type due to the film not being her usual comedic fare, but I’d argue she delivers the same trademarked headstrong, take no prisoners attitude regardless of genre. Her Emily is a woman being crushed by the patriarchy, capitalism, and feminism alike. So, why not take matters into her own hands?

Is it enough to squeak onto the Oscar shortlist? Probably not. But I would love to see it happen. That’s the beauty of ceremonies like the Gothams and Spirits—they highlight the lesser known titles and get names into the conversation. If enough Academy members listen and watch, who knows?

As for the film: it’s a solid feature debut from John Patton Ford. A bit overt in its messaging (having Emily’s boss, Gina Gershon as a potential employer, and many other characters literally speaking aloud the themes their angrily superior ultimatums are meant to deliver as responses to Emily’s justifiably angry incredulity is heavy-handed at best), I liked the parallel dramatic arcs pitting the lead’s personal and professional awakenings (fueled by Theo Rossi and his Arabic accent—he’s apparently part Syrian) together for a tense climax.

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Aubrey Plaza in EMILY THE CRIMINAL Copyright Roadside Attractions/Vertical Entertainment.