Army of Thieves (2021)
Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert leads a mundane life as a bank teller in Potsdam, Germany. Despite his routine existence, his imagination runs wild, fueled by news of a zombie outbreak in Nevada that dominates international headlines. The gruesome reports give him vivid nightmares about zombies, further intensifying his otherwise uneventful life. To escape monotony, Sebastian nurtures a passion for safecracking, sharing his knowledge through obscure YouTube videos. However, his channel barely garners any attention—until an enigmatic comment on his latest upload changes everything. The mysterious figure invites him to an underground safecracking competition, sparking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Sebastian attends the contest and, to his surprise, emerges victorious. It is here that he meets Gwendoline Starr, the commenter on his video and a highly skilled jewel thief. She introduces him to her crew: expert hacker Korina Dominguez, adrenaline-seeking getaway driver Rolph, and Brad Cage, a self-styled action hero with a penchant for violence. Gwendoline reveals their ambitious goal: to break into three legendary safes designed by renowned locksmith Hans Wagner, owned by billionaire Bly Tanaka. The safes are set to be decommissioned in less than a week, giving the crew a narrow window to execute their plan.
Although Sebastian is a theoretical expert on Wagner’s safes, he has no real-world experience. Gwendoline convinces him to join the crew, appealing to his passion for Wagner’s work and the allure of a once-in-a-lifetime challenge. Their first heist takes place in Paris, where they successfully crack the safe and escape with a modest portion of the money. For Gwendoline, the challenge and the legacy of conquering a Wagner safe outweigh any monetary gain.
As the team celebrates their success, Sebastian develops feelings for Gwendoline. This sparks tension with Brad, who has been her boyfriend since their teenage years. The crew moves on to Prague, the site of the second safe, but their actions attract the attention of Interpol agent Delacroix, who has been hunting Gwendoline’s crew for years. Delacroix, still recovering from a gunshot wound inflicted by Brad during a previous heist, is determined to capture them.
In Prague, Sebastian and Gwendoline enter the bank to crack the second safe. However, they are quickly identified, forcing Brad to stage a fake robbery as a distraction. Sebastian successfully opens the safe, but the escape is chaotic. Brad, injured during the operation, deliberately leaves Sebastian behind as the crew flees. Alone and pursued by police, Sebastian narrowly escapes. Furious at Brad’s betrayal, Gwendoline and Korina abandon the crew, choosing to reunite with Sebastian in Potsdam. They resolve to continue the mission, driven by their shared admiration for Wagner’s work.
The trio targets the third and final safe in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Using cunning and precision, they hijack the safe during its transport, outsmarting both Interpol and Brad’s splintered team. As Sebastian works to crack the safe amidst a high-speed chase, tensions rise. Despite the chaos, he succeeds, uncovering another substantial haul. However, their victory is short-lived when Brad and Rolph catch up. A confrontation ensues, and Gwendoline neutralizes the two, leaving them for Interpol to apprehend.
In the picturesque town of Hallstatt, Austria, Sebastian and Gwendoline prepare to escape. They confess their feelings for one another, but their moment is interrupted by Delacroix. In a dramatic standoff, Gwendoline sacrifices herself to be arrested, ensuring Sebastian’s escape. She promises to find him again, leaving him with the hope of their eventual reunion.
Sebastian, now going by the alias Ludwig Dieter, starts anew in California. His locksmith shop attracts the attention of Scott Ward and Maria Cruz, who offer him the chance to crack Wagner’s legendary "missing" safe. This safe had been the ultimate goal he and Gwendoline dreamed of conquering together. With resolve and bittersweet determination, Ludwig accepts the job, vowing to honor their shared dream and one day reunite with Gwendoline.
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