View 4 Images

‘Excellent’ period crime movie shoots up Netflix chart(Image: REDBOX)

Netflix has just added an acclaimed period thriller and it’s quickly become one of the streaming service’s most-watched new additions.

The film previously shot up to the number two spot on Netflix’s film chart, and currently sits in fourth place at the time of publication (Monday, 2nd March).

It’s even beating out mega-hit KPop Demon Hunters, which has continued to regularly show up in the rankings since its release last summer, as well as recent additions Cellar Door, The Last Voyage of the Demeter and Accused.

Boasting an impressive 74 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, and an even more encouraging 80 percent from audiences, Bandit is well worth a watch if it’s not already caught your eye.

Starring Hollywood icon Mel Gibson, along with Josh Duhamel and Elisha Cuthbert, the historical crime drama follows career criminal Gilbert Galvan Jr (played by Duhamel), who escapes from a Michigan prison in the 1980s to start a new life in Canada.

View 4 Images

Crime biopic Bandit is now streaming on Netflix(Image: REDBOX)

Disguising himself as a security analyst, Galvan begins to fly around the country to rob multiple cities a day, stealing from a record 59 banks and jewellery stores and earning the moniker ‘The Flying Bandit’.

Lethal Weapon star Gibson portrays loan shark gangster Tommy Kay, who helps Galvan’s heists grow more and more ambitious, while Cuthbert portrays Galvan’s love interest Andrea, a social worker who is unaware of his criminal activity.

Based on an unbelievable true story, fans have continued to be thrilled by Bandit since its original release back in 2022.

One five-star review from a Rotten Tomatoes user gushed: “Enjoyed this true crime film from start to finish. It’s been awhile since I last loved a true story but have rewatched this so many times.

“Great characters, writing, and one where you really wish in reality life worked out better for our Bandit hero.”

View 4 Images

Controversial Hollywood icon Mel Gibson portrays gangster Tommy Kay(Image: REDBOX)

Someone else who has already watched the film multiple times agreed: “A truly excellent, moving, and funny crime caper, that works even better on second watch.”

“Clever, funny and surprisingly tender at times, it checks all the boxes for not just an excellent crime biopic, but an excellent movie period,” another said.

Praise continued on IMDb where one particularly enthusiastic review said: “Absolutely loved this movie. It was very suspenseful. I was at the edge of my seat the whole movie.”

And a final user wrote: “The difference between this story and the average heist movie is the raw and vulnerable connection you feel to the characters and their stories. It’s not just the excitement of the chase, but it’s the why behind the chase and that is so uncommon.

View 4 Images

The film is based on real-life criminal Gilbert Galvan Jr who robbed 59 banks and jewellers(Image: REDBOX)

“It truly shows the dynamic story telling behind this movie. My heart strings were not just tugged but yanked.

“I knew why I wanted the lead to win and it was more than just because he was the lead. Not to mention there’s so many genuinely funny moments in here. The acting (specifically by the lead) is truly phenomenal and this is a beautiful story that has to be seen!”

Perfect for fans of other con artist thrillers such as Catch Me If You Can and The Talented Mr Ripley, make sure you save a space for Bandit on your streaming watchlist this week.

Bandit is available to stream on Netflix.