Gerard Butler’s action sequel debuts with fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating

The follow-up to Gerard Butler’s movie “Den of Thieves,” now known as “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” has received a new score on Rotten Tomatoes following the release of early reviews.

2018 saw the debut of a movie where Forest Whitaker plays the character Nick ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien, a man entrusted with leading an elite squad from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to thwart a daring robbery aimed at the Federal Reserve Bank.

In the next installment, we find ourselves immediately following the conclusion of the first movie, with Big Nick hot on the trail of Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr). After masterminding a daring heist, Donnie has made his escape to Europe and is now entangled in a perilous scheme to steal from the world’s most significant diamond exchange.

Gerard Butler's action sequel debuts with fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating

Currently, the movie “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” has earned a new rating of 72% based on 18 critic reviews since it debuted in the U.S. today. As of now, a release date for the UK has not been announced.

Here’s what some of the critics have been saying so far:

Variety

Director Christian Gudegast, despite his relaxed approach towards believability, is an invigorating storyteller. He skillfully maintains the intensity of one-on-one confrontations, and has an uncanny ability to highlight Butler’s talents effectively.

IndieWire

Similar to the ingeniously resourceful burglars living in their titled lair, Christian Gudegast’s sequel miraculously overcomes all expectations and emerges as one of the most enjoyable films among the initial 240 hours of releases in 2025.

Gerard Butler's action sequel debuts with fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating

New York Times

Panthera” may not revolutionize the genre, but it certainly holds up to its word by presenting charming rogues engaged in high-stakes shootouts and crossing international boundaries.

Deadline

As a gamer, I’d say this new game feels tailor-made for our rugged hero, Butler. It’s a follow-up worthy of the original, even though it wasn’t exactly groundbreaking from the get-go. What sets this one apart is its captivating locations and stellar cast, making it an effortlessly enjoyable experience.

The AV Club

The film’s success or failure heavily relies on the relationship between Butler and Jackson. To some extent, it manages to win over the audience with Butler’s rough-around-the-edges charm.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is out now in US cinemas. A UK release date hasn’t been confirmed yet.

2025-01-10 16:18