Is Heist 88 Movie Based on a True Story? Heist 88 Plot, Cast, and More
by Jayasree D | Updated Oct 05, 2023
Is Heist 88 Movie Based on a True Story?
Yes, Heist 88 is loosely based on a true story. The movie is inspired by an audacious bank heist that happened in Chicago in 1988. At that time, banking wasn't computerized like today, and big-money wire transfers were done through a less advanced system involving transfer codes exchanged during phone calls. While the film takes inspiration from this real event, it also incorporates elements of fiction to tell its story.
Courtney B. Vance plays a key role in the movie, portraying the mastermind behind the heist. So, Heist 88 is loosely based on a true story, blending facts with creative storytelling.
Heist 88
Heist 88 is a movie that's based on a real-life bank robbery that happened in 1988 in Chicago. The film tells the story of a group of people who come together to plan and execute this bank robbery. The leader of the group is a character named Jeremy Horne, played by Courtney B. Vance. He's an experienced thief who is about to go back to prison, and he sees this robbery as a chance to make a lot of money.
The movie focuses on why each member of the group decides to take part in the robbery. They all have their own reasons, like needing money to pay off debts or being fed up with their jobs. The film tries to show that these characters aren't necessarily bad people, but they feel pushed to do something illegal because of their difficult situations. However, the movie doesn't seem to find much excitement in the criminal activities, and it's more about the characters and their motivations.
Heist 88 is a crime movie that explores the reasons why a group of people decides to rob a bank. It features Courtney B. Vance as the lead character, and it tries to show that the characters are driven to crime by their desperate circumstances. The film doesn't focus much on the excitement of the heist itself but instead looks at the personal stories of the characters involved.
Heist 88 Cast
Actor
Character
Courtney B. Vance
Jeremy Horne
Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
Priest
Bentley Green
Marshall King
Akili Ni Mali
Singer
Bryan Kelly
Mario
Xavier Clyde
Danny Pugh
Precious Way
Ladonna Page
Nican Robinson
Rick Lewis
Mariah Gordon
Brandy
Jillian-Giselle
Keki
Charlette Speigner
Yolanda
Rebecca Spence
Harriet Weinstock
Jayson Lee
Joe Simmons
Cat Christmas
June
Lovely Rayford
Deanna
TayLar
Leddy
Yaasmeen Brown
Renee
Charles Andrew Gardner
Tyree
Keith David
Buddha Ray
Keesha Sharp
Bree Newson
Derrick Gilliam
Sam / Mugger
Phil Tyler
Warren / Mugger
Tiffany Bedwell
Clair
Michael Christopher Collins
Mark
Scott Westerman
Man with Bullhorn
Patrick Clear
Visiting Bank Executive
Dan Sauer
John (Harriet's Husband)
Tonray Ho
Woman
Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel
Random Operator
Paul Turner
Bank Manager
Brian Baker
Jeb Simpson
Vincent Teninty
FBI Agent #1
Andy McDermott
FBI Agent #2
James Farruggio
Larry Renner
Samantha Chatman
Reporter
Heist 88 Plot
The plot of Heist 88 revolves around a group of individuals who join forces to carry out a bank robbery. The leader of this group is Jeremy Horne, played by Courtney B. Vance, an experienced thief who is on the brink of returning to prison. During a memorial gathering for his brother, Horne crosses paths with his impressionable nephew, Marshall, who needs money to repay loan sharks. Horne sees an opportunity to steal $20 million from a powerful Chicago bank with the help of Marshall's friends, who are frustrated with their low-paying jobs and the bank's racist management.
The characters in the movie have their own personal reasons for getting involved in the heist. Some of them are struggling financially, like Rick, who has repeatedly been denied a promised promotion, and Danny, who is expecting a baby and becomes disheartened by witnessing a colleague's mistreatment. LaDonna, a telephone operator, faces the threat of losing her job as the bank plans to use computers instead of client calls for transfer confirmations. The film depicts how Horne persuades these law-abiding individuals to embark on a life of crime, although the reasons behind their decisions are portrayed rather simplistically.
As the movie unfolds, it explores the challenge of conducting a sting operation over telephone lines, setting up an intriguing cinematic task. However, the execution of this concept falls short, and the film lacks the cleverness to fully realize its characters' persuasiveness. Ultimately, Heist 88 concludes somewhat abruptly, leaving the audience with a sense of disappointment, as the heist does not seem to have gone as planned. The film focuses more on the characters' backgrounds and motivations than on the excitement of the actual bank robbery, making it a somewhat unconventional crime movie.
Heist 88 Review
The review of Heist 88 suggests that the movie falls short of expectations. It tells the story of a real-life bank robbery in Chicago in 1988 but doesn't make the robbery seem very exciting or clever. Instead, it focuses more on the reasons why the characters decide to rob the bank. The reviewer mentions that the film lacks the joy often associated with heist movies and that the character's motivations don't quite match the material.
The main character, Jeremy Horne, played by Courtney B. Vance, leads the group of robbers. While Vance's acting is praised, the reviewer feels that the characters and their interactions are not very well developed. The crew members recruited for the heist have sympathetic backgrounds, but the movie introduces their stories lazily and doesn't convincingly portray how they are persuaded to turn to a life of crime.
The review also criticizes the film's production quality, noting that it looks cheap and lacks a gritty atmosphere. The use of telephone transactions as a central element of the heist is considered an intriguing idea, but the execution doesn't meet the cinematic challenge effectively. Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that Heist 88 doesn't live up to its potential, ending on a somewhat unsatisfying note.
Heist 88 Where to Watch?
Heist 88 is available for viewing on two primary platforms: Showtime and Paramount Plus. If you're planning to catch it on Showtime, mark your calendar for Sunday, October 1st, at 9 pm ET/PT when it premiered. This premium cable/satellite TV channel offers the movie to its subscribers.
However, for those who prefer streaming or have cut cords with traditional TV, you can also watch Heist 88 on Paramount Plus. In fact, it made its debut a little earlier on Friday, September 29th, on this streaming platform, and it includes access to Showtime content as well. To stream the movie early, you'll need to ensure you have a subscription to Paramount Plus with Showtime as part of the package.
So, whether you have a Showtime subscription through your cable/satellite provider or you're into streaming, Heist 88 offers options for both, ensuring you can enjoy this crime drama from the comfort of your own home.
Is Heist 88 Movie Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, "Heist 88" is inspired by a real bank heist that occurred in Chicago in 1988, although it incorporates fictional elements for storytelling.
Courtney B. Vance plays the character Jeremy Horne, the mastermind behind the bank heist.
The movie focuses on the personal reasons why a group of individuals decides to participate in the bank robbery, highlighting their financial struggles and dissatisfaction with their jobs.
Reviews suggest that the film falls short of expectations, lacking the excitement typically associated with heist movies and not fully developing its characters or their motivations.
"Heist 88" is available for viewing on Showtime and Paramount Plus, with Showtime subscribers able to watch it on the channel and Paramount Plus offering streaming access.