Film

Going in Style

Name: Going in Style
Genre: Crime, Comedy, Drama
Released: 2017
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margret, John Ortiz

Other titles called Going in Style: the 1979 film.

Three retired men—played by Freeman, Caine, and Arkin—plan a bank heist to recover their stolen pensions. It's a heist film that prioritizes charm and warmth over thrills, mining comedy from the absurdity of pensioners turning to crime. For viewers who want stakes without cynicism, and humor that lands on character rather than spectacle.

TMDb rating

3.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy a caper driven by old friends bickering their way through a plan, where the heist matters less than the easy, teasing chemistry between three veteran actors who clearly relish every scene.

Skip it if you want a slick, tense heist with sharp twists and a fast pulse; this one is gentle, talky and happy to linger on its characters rather than its gadgets or set pieces.

What it asks of you: Under ninety-849 minutes of unhurried, good-natured ambling, it asks for patience with quiet stretches and a willingness to let the warmth outweigh the thrills.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Ocean's Eleven2001

Stylish ensemble heist with a similar emphasis on wit, camaraderie, and the pleasure of watching clever people execute a plan. The joy comes from the team dynamic, not just the theft.

But Modern CGI-heavy spectacle might overshadow the character moments if you're in it purely for the con itself.

The Bucket List2007

Two older leads (Freeman and Jack Nicholson) heading toward mortality with humor and heart. Shares the same tone—treating aging and friendship seriously while refusing to be maudlin about it.

But Sentimental in ways that can tip toward saccharine if you're allergic to life-affirming messaging.

The Italian Job1969

Vintage heist with charm, a stellar ensemble cast, and comedy that emerges naturally from character. The original has a lightness and swagger that *Going in Style* clearly admires.

But Belongs to a different era of filmmaking; pacing and some attitudes will feel dated to modern viewers.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Going in Style

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

The Leisure Seeker2018

Both examine what life looks like after retirement, and both argue that old age isn't the end of the story but a chapter worth telling with full humanity.

Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren as an older couple on a road trip, grappling with mortality and the question of who you are when work and routine vanish. Moves at a meditative pace and trusts that aging and partnership contain real drama.

But Melancholic and patient—almost the opposite of a heist film's energy. Built for contemplation, not momentum. If you want *Going in Style*'s humor, this strips it away entirely.

The Gentlemen2020

Crime caper with ensemble chemistry, sharply written dialogue, and the understanding that a heist is really an excuse to watch likeable people banter and scheme together.

But Considerably darker and more violent; the tone shifts between comedy and brutality in ways *Going in Style* avoids.

Now You See Me2013

Heist film centered on misdirection and showmanship rather than realism. Light on its feet, stacked with charismatic actors, and committed to entertainment over plausibility.

But Plot twists can feel convoluted; some find the spectacle hollow if you're looking for genuine stakes or character depth.

The Grand Budapest Hotel2014

Ensemble comedy-caper with rich character work, intricate plotting, and genuine affection for its ensemble. Shows how heist structure can serve emotional truth.

But Wes Anderson's mannered visual style and deadpan tone won't appeal if you prefer naturalistic cinema.

Hustle2022

Con artists (led by Adam Sandler) building camaraderie across culture and age. Lighter than expected, warm-hearted, and genuinely interested in its characters as people, not just plot devices.

But Netflix production values and Sandler's relaxed comedic register might read as slight if you want cinematic ambition.

King of Thieves2018

Michael Caine actually reunites the *Going in Style* energy—older thieves, humor rooted in character and circumstance, and Caine delivering effortless charm.

But Slighter film overall; less momentum and star power than the ensemble pieces above, making it feel more forgettable.

Lupin2021

Both treat theft as a moral act rather than a crime—the heist becomes the vehicle for examining what people believe they're owed, and what they'll risk for it.

Gentleman thief saga across five seasons, but built as a *character study* not a heist show. Explores obsession, pride, justice, and mentorship through schemes rather than despite them. French television at its most elegant.

But Subtitled and serialized—requires commitment. Also considerably darker; the charm is real but it sits on top of serious wounds and moral compromise.

Mank2020

Structurally similar—watches an older man (or men) use their remaining smarts to outmaneuver a system rigged against them. But where *Going in Style* is about solidarity and joy, *Mank* is about isolation and bitterness.

David Fincher's black-and-white Hollywood story about Herman Mankiewicz, an aging screenwriter outsmarting younger, richer men. Character-driven, dialogue-rich, and obsessed with older men proving they've still got something to contribute.

But Formal, slow, and assumes knowledge of Hollywood history. Bleak and cynical where *Going in Style* is warm. Won't give you the heist satisfaction you want.