When Den of Thieves (2018) dropped, it stood out in the heist thriller genre. This was not just for its Heat-inspired cops-and-robbers dynamic, but for its raw intensity, tactical action, and compelling characters. Now, the long-awaited sequel has arrived, and it’s no longer confined to the familiar streets of Los Angeles. This time, Den of Thieves 2 takes the chaos to Europe, a move that immediately signals a change in tone, style, and stakes. But does this change in setting actually add to the experience, or is it just a clever way of making the sequel feel bigger?
One of the reasons why Den of Thieves appeals to fans is its focus on the meticulous cat and mouse game between the LAPD’s Major Crimes Unit and a group of highly skilled criminals. The first film thrived on its street-level grit, complex tactics, and high pressure heist sequences. Moving the action overseas means the sequel has to play by new rules.
For one, European crime syndicates operate differently. The sequel leans into the international banking system, high end security, and underground networks that differ from the smash-and-grab jobs of L.A. The move to Europe expands the film’s scope, introducing new players who don’t adhere to the same street-code ethics we saw in the original. Donnie isn’t just running from Big Nick anymore, he’s trying to survive in an entirely new criminal hierarchy.
While the first film had a raw, almost documentary style feel, Den of Thieves 2 leans into a more global thriller aesthetic. Think John Wick meets The Town. We’re talking sleek hotels, underground casinos, and heists that require more finesse than brute force.
But this is where some fans of the original might feel the sequel loses its edge. The first movie had a grimy, familiar authenticity of crooked cops, desperate criminals, and a sense that danger lurked around every corner. In comparison, Den of Thieves 2 feels more polished, and while the action is still intense, it’s missing some of that boots-on-the-ground tension that made the original so gripping.
Whether the change works or not is largely dependent on what you’re looking for. If you loved the first film for its brutal, street smart tactics and the battle of wits between Big Nick and Merrimen, you might find this sequel’s European backdrop a bit too different. But if you’re in for a fresh take on the heist genre, Den of Thieves 2 does enough to keep the action engaging. And so now, we wait.
The question on a lot of minds is “will this expansion of the Den of Thieves universe lead to an even bigger third installment?” To that, Director Christian Gudegast previously announced that Den of Thieves 3 will move the action to Africa, with two more sequels to follow set in South America and Asia. This will provide several opportunities to build on Den of Thieves 2’s cast by adding new characters with every location change.
