Heist (2021) season 1 – does crime really pay off?

By Romey Norton - July 14, 2021 (Last updated: February 17, 2024)
Netflix docuseries Heist season 1
By Romey Norton - July 14, 2021 (Last updated: February 17, 2024)
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Summary

Giving us a real insight into the minds behind the heists.

Netflix docuseries Heist season 1 was released on the streaming service on July 14, 2021. 

There is something very exciting, thrilling, and sexy about breaking the law. Watching ordinary people daring to do things we wouldn’t, make the heart race and face sweat. Applauding the highs of a successful heist, and then the unexpected highs of getting caught. As viewers want them to succeed, because you feel as if you could get away with it, then you’re happy when they’re caught because it restores the balance embedded into our daily lives. It shows us that we must follow the rules. But how exciting life could be if we didn’t. 

Spread over six episodes, Netflix’s crime-docuseries is an exciting look into three incredible real-life stories, of the biggest heists in modern American history. Using recreations, interviews with key players on both sides of the law, and archive news footage we delve into how these heists were concocted and the reasons why. The recreations can be a bit over the top and cheesy, but I think this makes the series fun, and not too serious and heavy. 

The first heist “Sex Magick Money Murder,” chronicles the story of Heather Tallchief, a young woman who was swept off her feet by a paroled murderer, and was ultimately convinced to assist in an armored car robbery, making off with over $3 million. Heather describes her story as “a love story at heart”. This episode is romantically tragic. 

In the second heist, “The Money Plane,” we follow Cuban immigrant Karls Monzon as he uses info picked up from crime shows to figure out how to get away with stealing $7.4 million. Inspired by the film Goodfellas, and with a maverick drive, these episodes are filled with enough drama to last a lifetime. 

And in “The Bourbon King,” the final two episodes are dedicated to ‘Pappygate’, the infamous heist centered around the theft of highly valuable Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. It isn’t just about stealing from banks or from jewelry stores, this one was about Bourbon. Opening eyes to new riches all around us.

Ultimately, all of them were caught, which is how they are able to be interviewed and tell their stories. What makes this docu-series different from other previous Netflix series is that the cases are settled. Which allows for deeper details regarding the heists, their thoughts, and feelings. This is what is really exciting, where the real entertainment value comes from. There is no agenda in hiding or disguising the truth. The honesty, I feel, sets this series apart from others. How these ordinary humans turned their lives into lawless legends. 

As exciting as the heists are, here we have the chance to explore the lives of these criminals and what drove them to participate in these events. Giving us a real insight into the minds behind the heists. The stories are full of emotions. If you like the films Ocean’s Eleven and Catch Me If You Can you’ll enjoy this series. 

What did you think of the Netflix docuseries Heist season 1? Comment below.

If you like Heist, you may like Netflix’s Money Heist.

Netflix, TV Reviews