From about 1997 through 2007, Russell Crowe was as in demand as any actor on the planet. In the wake of winning an Oscar for “Gladiator,” Crowe’s popularity was at its zenith until it mysteriously crashed after “American Gangster.”
With the notable exception of “The Nice Guys” (2016), everything he appeared in for next two decades was a lost cause.
Starting with last year’s “Nuremberg,” Crowe got his groove back. This continued with this year’s “Beast,” “The Weight,” and now “The Get Out,” an action-comedy-crime thriller that puts out a vibe akin to “The Nice Guys.”
Based on the 2010 Thomas Perry novel “Strip,” the screenplay was penned by Daniel Forte and director Derrick Borte. The movie also shares the same narrative DNA of a few Elmore Leonard adaptations. There’s some “Get Shorty,” a little “Out of Sight,” and a pinch of “Jackie Brown.”
Marco Kapak (Russell Crowe), in "The Get Out." (Vertical)
Laundering for the Cartel
Set in Los Angeles but shot entirely on Australia’s Gold Coast, the story centers around Marco Kapak (Crowe), an Albanian transplant tired of running his wildly successful nightclub. In addition to the late hours, Marco also has an uneasy relationship with a Mexican cartel for whom he launders money.After getting robbed at gunpoint during an early morning bank deposit drop, Marco starts making plans to carefully navigate his exit. He doesn’t want to upset the mob so much that they will kill him on the way out.
This comes as a relief to Sunny (Teresa Palmer), Marco’s longtime and eminently patient (much younger) girlfriend. Content to accompany him wherever he goes, Sunny hopes he chooses Central America.
Carrie (Nina Dobrev) and Jeff (Aaron Paul), in "The Get Out." (Vertical."
Also relieved is Jeff (Aaron Paul), who can’t believe how easy it was to rob Marco without firing a shot. He inadvertently tips his hand while making his own bank deposit of $9,999.00, something not unnoticed by teller Carrie (Nina Dobrev). Both Jeff and Carrie know that, had the deposit been just $1 more, the bank would be required to notify the IRS.
Dirty Money
Carrie slips Jeff a note letting him know she’s sure his money is dirty and wants in on the action. Not too bright and more than a bit in lust, Jeff quickly caves and brings the bubbly and excited Carrie with him on his next job, robbing Marco again.After being burned once, you might think Marco would hire a bodyguard or wait until the morning light to make the drop, but he does neither.
These two nearly identical events draws the attention of cartel higher-up Rodriguez (Daniel Zovatto) who is sure Marco is conspiring with thieves and is none too happy.
Oddly not appearing concerned with all of this mayhem and malfeasance is Joe Carver (Luke Evans), an investor looking to buy the club. Rounding out the principal cast is Slosser (Josh McConville), a jittery detective investigating the robberies.
Slosser (Josh McConville), in "The Get Out." (Vertical)
Sticking close to the Leonard blueprint, the screenwriters take a few key early scenes and repeat them down the road from different character perspectives. This, of course, changes the entire complexion of the narrative. There’s also an obligatory secret identity reveal, a double and triple cross, and more than one awkward, messy death.
The performances are uniformly superb, but the big surprise here is Dobrev. A 20-year veteran who is usually associated with dramatic roles in mostly so-so TV shows, Dobrev’s previously unseen comic chops are a revelation. She steals every scene in which she appears.
At multiple points in the movie, Carrie compares what she and Jeff are doing to the Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze characters in “Point Break.”
If you decide to see the film, be sure to stick around for the closing credits where Carrie gives, in what was likely an ad-lib, her hilarious, final “Point Break” reference.
‘The Get Out’
Director: Derrick Borte
Starring: Russell Crowe, Teresa Palmer, Aaron Paul, Nina Dobrev
Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
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