‘Brilliant' action thriller finally lands on Netflix 5 years after release

Metro

09-07-2025

Sophie-May Williams Published July 8, 2025 12:15pm Link is copied Comments Calling all action film lovers, Netflix has just added a 'brilliant' thriller to the streaming platform, five years after its release. Yep, we're talking about the Liam Neeson-led Honest Thief, which was first released back in 2020, and grossed a worldwide total of $32.6 million. While it may not have made an impression as huge as the Taken trilogy, many Neeson fans have dubbed Honest Thief as 'brilliant' and a 'satisfying' watch. And, now that Netflix has acquired the movie, it's only a matter of time until a new legion of fans is found. So, what exactly happens in Honest Thief, and what have fans said about the film? (Picture: AP) Neeson stars as Tom Carter, a meticulous thief who is so good at his job (see: being a criminal) that he's referred to as the 'In-and-Out Bandit.' Over the course of his 'career,' he admits to stealing a casual $9 million from small-town banks - all while managing to keep his identity a secret. As a former US Marine and demolition expert, he uses his knowledge and skills to pull off heist after heist (Picture: AP) However, when he falls in love with the happy-go-lucky Annie, played by Kate Walsh, Tom decides that he needs to give up his illegal lifestyle for good. But, when he heads to the police station to divulge his criminal past - and hand in the stolen $9 million - he finds himself being double-crossed by two ruthless FBI agents who intend to steal the money for themselves. Oh, and they also frame him for a murder he didn't commit. What follows is a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase across town, with Tom and Annie trying to evade the FBI, while also proving that the agents are crooks (Picture: AP) There's no time like the present, as Netflix added Honest Thief to its action thriller catalogue today. This means you can either binge it during your Monday night viewing, or wait until the weekend to have it as your Friday night, Saturday night, or Sunday afternoon watch. Or, watch it multiple times this week, there's no judgment here (Picture: AP) On Rotten Tomatoes, Honest Thief holds an impressive 87% on the Popcornmeter, where regular viewers can share their reviews. However, the Tomatometer, aka the critics' section, only boasts 41%. The former has over 1,000 ratings, many of which praise Neeson's performance and the 'above average' script. One person called the movie 'underrated,' while another said: 'Liam Neeson doing what he does best. Never disappoints' (Picture: AP) Elsewhere, a third fan typed: 'Very entertaining, well written and lots of stars doing a fantastic job. Lots of action with a little bit of humor at just the right time,' as a fourth echoed: 'While certainly nothing we haven't seen Liam Neeson do before, an above average script and solid work from his supporting cast make this version of Taken well worth a watch.' Other notable compliments include: 'A amazing movie but really, when has Liam Neeson ever disappointed us in a film? Good for all ages and just a tasteful film. The storyline is phenomenal so if you haven't watched it then stop what you are doing and go watch it.' Plus, 'What a thriller! Great movie' (Picture: AP) Unfortunately, the critics aren't as easy to please. M. N. Miller at Ready Steady Cut said: 'Honest Thief has insincere characters, a mundane plot, and is a fairly bland thriller by any standard,' while Sarah Ward at Concrete Playground shared: 'Another bland action film with little else going for it beyond its main attraction.' There were some positive reviews from critics, though. Keith Garlington from Keith & The Movies said Neeson 'delivered what his film promised – light, breezy entertainment for fans of these fun getaway thrillers,' as Jeanne Kaplan from Kaplan vs. Kaplan penned: 'HONEST THIEF isn't going to win any awards, but fans of Neeson will appreciate his efforts. I found it a rather good diversion for 99 minutes.' Honest Thief is now streaming on Netflix (Picture: AP)