Aubrey Plaza’s performance is widely praised for being "fearless," "nuanced," and "riveting," breaking away from her typical dry-wit comedic roles to play a character fueled by raw desperation and aggression.
Desperate for cash, Emily takes a tip from a co-worker about a "dummy shopping" gig. She meets Youcef (Theo Rossi), who runs a credit card fraud ring that pays people to buy high-ticket electronics with stolen credit card information for resale. What begins as a one-time job to make quick money rapidly spirals into a dangerous criminal career as Emily realizes her aptitude for the work—and the power it gives her. Emily the Criminal
The writer-director based the credit card fraud mechanics on real FBI affidavits and online instructional videos to ensure the film felt grounded and authentic. Quick Movie Facts Director John Patton Ford Starring Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke Runtime 93–96 minutes Rating R (for language, some violence, and brief drug use) Streaming Available on Netflix (availability may vary by region) Aubrey Plaza’s performance is widely praised for being
The film highlights the crushing reality of student loans and medical debt that "haunts the lives of many Americans". What begins as a one-time job to make