Heist
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Unexpectedly upbeat docu has violence, nudity, language.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Heist
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
HEIST is a true crime documentary series about three of the largest heists committed in the United States, and the people who participated in them. Each episode uses a combination of dramatic reenactments, archive media, and interviews with some of the criminal masterminds, lackeys, witnesses, and law enforcement officials involved in each case to tell audiences about how each heist planned, committed, and investigated. The way thieves were brought to justice (or not) is also discussed. From being seduced into stealing millions from a Las Vegas casino to stealing massive quantities of bourbon in a heist known as 'Pappygate," the series shares some of the more interesting and strange details surrounding these major crimes.
Is It Any Good?
The upbeat documentary series serves is a guilty pleasure thanks to the detailed way it tells the story of three of the most notorious money heists in U.S. history. But unlike the dark and foreboding tones of most of Netflix's true crime docs, Heist's storytelling style relies on bright and highly stylized scenes that blur the line between reality and drama. Some of the interviews are humorous, too, as folks reminisce about some of the event's more memorable moments. It's an entertaining storytelling formula, but some may question the ethics behind showcasing thieves and their actions so sympathetically. But if you can move past this, and like this sort of thing, you won't be disappointed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of true crime documentaries. What is the appeal? Are viewers supposed to learn moral lessons from them, or are they just meant to be entertaining?
Heist relies heavily on actor portrayals and dramatic reenactments to help tell the crime stories featured here. Is this problematic? How does this impact the way audiences understand the gravity of the crimes committed?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 14, 2021
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate