Triple 9 turns movie heroes into villains in a well-crafted crime thriller

Is Triple 9 worth a watch on Netflix?

Triple 9 makes its way to Netflix, adding another solid entry from the crime thriller genre with an impressive cast gripping story.

Bank heists, gunfights, and crazy car chases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to describing the perfectly paced action-packed thrill ride. Armed with a spectacular roster, exceptional tension, and a refreshingly dark take on the genre, Triple 9 proves early on all the way to the credits that it is an instantly riveting affair that will have Netflix subscribers on the edge of their seats for the entire endeavor.

The 2016 film went a bit under the radar for most, but now that it’s finally made its way to Netflix, it’s sure to be a hit with subscribers. Action films that went underappreciated during their theatrical run find a lot of success on the streaming service, and there is a good chance that Triple 9 will do the same.

The film’s merciless narrative is set in Atlanta and has the same tone as features like Heat or Training Day. While it may seem like a carbon copy of the many similar titles that have come before it, Triple 9 pleasantly surprises audiences with plenty of compelling twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.

Triple 9 revolves around a Russian crime boss named Vassili Vlaslov, who apparently scares Vladimir Putin so much that he would imprison the man without a trial. His wife Irina Vlaslov uses her sister Elena’s baby daddy Michael and his team of cops and ex-military types to carry out jobs to clean her husband’s slate so he can be freed.

Their final job will require some drastic maneuvers in order to pull off. They need a distraction, and they come up with causing a Code 999. A Triple 9, as it is also called, is when a cop is killed in the line of duty, resulting in every law enforcement official for miles looking to stop the person that murdered one of their colleagues.

The entire affair is greatly boosted by its all-star lineup of talented individuals that look like they are enjoying themselves being able to let loose and go full dark side for a change. Subscribers may notice that many of them are notoriously known for playing the opposite of what their characters are doing in Triple 9. If a film announced it was releasing with these kinds of players in the lineup, it would be considered a top-tier contender.

Wonder Woman 1984’s Gal Gadot plays a manipulative baby mama and spoiled sister of a Russian crime boss played magnificently by none other than Titanic’s Kate Winslet. Seeing the Academy-award-winner pick up a bag of teeth is quite a sight to behold. Winslet’s gangster turn proves that type of persona needs to be fleshed out in a Netflix or HBO series sooner by the breathtaking actress.

Doctor Strange’s Chiwetel Equifor and Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Anthony Mackie play ex-soldiers that now do jobs for organized crime. Mackie’s character plays a dirty cop with Clifton Collins Jr. Also on the team is The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus, who is the brother of fellow crewmember Aaron Paul from Westworld, who plays a junkie ex-cop.

Ironically, the only good guys are Woody Harrelson and Casey Affleck who serve up watered-down versions of their characters, which feel like it was intentional and works with their storylines. Rounding out the bunch with very brief appearances that are maxed out with excellent turns by Lovecraft Country’s Michael K. Williams and Warm Bodies star Teresa Palmer.

Outside of the tremendous performances Triple 9 has to offer, the rest of the motion picture comes together pretty well. Nothing really stands out as game-changing, but every aspect of the movie is brilliantly designed.

Dylan Trichenor’s cutthroat editing style lends itself nicely to Nicolas Karakatsanis’ intriguing handheld approach. Triple 9’s visual set pieces are very well selected, and the director does an exceptional job staging exhilarating action sequences.

There is plenty of suspense and action to get viewers’ attention, and the compelling performances from the fan-favorite cast will keep them enthralled, making Triple 9 a solid choice for anyone looking for a stirring crime thriller to enjoy on movie night.

Film Grade: B