Frederik Louis Hviid’s film The Quiet Ones tells the riveting true story of the largest robbery ever committed in Denmark. The movie premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. At its center is Kasper, a boxer struggling to find success in the ring.
When an opportunity for a massive heist arises, planned by the cunning Slimani, Kasper finds himself drawn into executing the most audacious criminal plan Denmark has ever seen. Opposing them is Maria, a security guard determined to prevent the criminals from succeeding.
The real-life robbery of 2008 that inspired the movie was nothing short of spectacular. Over ten million dollars was stolen from a cash transport company in Copenhagen. Fourteen men were ultimately arrested and charged. It stunned the nation and captured the attention of the world.
Now Hviid, working from a script by Anders Frithiof August, brings this dramatic crime saga to the big screen. Through the intertwining storylines of Kasper, Slimani, and Maria, their film delves into the cat-and-mouse mindset of both criminals and law enforcement embroiled in a high-stakes game with millions of dollars at stake.
As the film unfolds the climactic heist and its gripping aftermath, it also explores the motivations that drive its characters to such risks and reckless decisions. Kasper dreams of glory but struggles in his career. Slimani ruthlessly pursues money and power.
And Maria fights to uphold the system of justice. Their fates are destined to collide in a tightly wound conclusion that could shake Danish society to its core. For fans of crime thrillers and true crime stories, The Quiet Ones presents an electric retelling of a national headline-making crime.
A Grisly Introduction
The Quiet Ones wastes no time grabbing the viewer by the collar with its breathtakingly brutal opening scene. We open with masked criminals surrounding an armored vehicle, guns drawn. As the guards emerge unsuspecting, gunfire immediately rings out—it’s a chilling foreshadowing of the violence to come. Shots pierce flesh, and two lives are lost in mere seconds, blood pooling on the pavement.
Through tight close-ups and erratic handheld camerawork, director Frederik Louis Hviid places us right in the middle of the chaotic attack. The jarring score and raw sound design heighten the sense of fear and lawlessness. With this single sequence, Hviid establishes his film will hold nothing back. We also get our first glimpse of the men at the story’s core—ruthless thieves who see deadly force as a means to an end.
The scene then cuts to a year later, as boxer Kasper eats with his wife and daughter. Though words aren’t said, the tension in his home hints at stakes far greater than a championship bout. When he’s summoned to meet the man behind the robbery, Slimani, we see desperation in Kasper’s eyes; he’s clinging to broken dreams and will do anything for success. Slimani, played with chilling charisma by Reda Kateb, seems to find pleasure in the suffering of others.
Meanwhile, security guard Maria is dedicated to protecting society from such predators. Amanda Collin imbues Maria with a quiet strength and sense of justice. When Kasper unwisely takes the deal, a collision course is set between these three figures, driven by clashing motives of family, greed, and law. From the very first frame, Hviid plunges us into the criminal underworld and the psychologies of those willing to cross every line. The Quiet Ones has announced itself as a breathtaking thrill ride from start to unpredictable finish.
Developing the Players
The Quiet Ones introduces three compelling central characters that are far more than just archetypes. Kasper serves as the dramatic anchor, struggling in the ring yet fiercely devoted to his family. When opportunity knocks from Slimani, we understand why Kasper finds it hard to refuse despite the risks. Gustav Giese imbues Kasper with layers of emotion—we feel his drive yet also see hints of instability lurking beneath.
Slimani, embodied chillingly by Reda Kateb, makes it clear from the outset that his motivations revolve solely around money and dominance. His cruel treatment of those under him, like physically abusing his partner, leaves no question about his cold nature. Slimani serves as an antagonistic force, stopping at nothing to attain success through criminal means.
Meanwhile, Maria, portrayed smartly by Amanda Collin, stands as a steady presence. Driven to protect Copenhagen through her work as a security guard, she provides a lawabiding counterpoint. Some wished her storyline explored Maria’s motivations and personality even deeper.
Unfortunately, the film fails to peel back meaningful layers for its few female characters beyond their relationships to the men. We never learn the wives’ hopes or backstories independent of how they affect Kasper. They remain sadly undefined, which feels like a missed opportunity considering the complex emotional journeys of the leads.
Overall, the main trio are richly fleshed out as we understand the desperation, greed, and duty compelling each down diverging paths. Though the scope could have broadened further to give voice to other perspectives, Hviid establishes the foundation for gritty drama through characters we vividly see struggling within turbulent circumstances of their own making.
Laying the Groundwork
The success of any major operation requires extensive planning and preparation. In The Quiet Ones, we see just how seriously Kasper takes this aspect of the heist. Once brought on board by Slimani, he dedicates himself to meticulously working out every detail.
First is assembling the right team. We see Kasper reach out to trusted contacts, sizing each person up for their skills. Some ace drivers, others experts in security systems. Each must prove their worth, as even one weak link could crack the whole plan. Ensuring loyalty through promises of huge payouts if it all goes smoothly.
Of course, not all are so convinced. Doubts swirl around Brash Slimani’s leadership. But for now they follow Kasper’s steady guidance, seeing that he at least aims to minimize danger. Heavy emphasis is placed on recon of the facility, escape routes, and response times—if something blows up, they must still succeed.
Days and nights are spent pouring over maps and documents, imagining every possibility. Technical specs are obtained, and full models of the site are constructed. Different scenarios are rigorously gamed out, and alternative plans are drawn up in case. While tensions rise as the big day approaches, Kasper maintains focus through his intricate mastery of detail.
Final week, it’s all about replicating the real thing. The crew runs live drills with impeccable timing, rehearsing each role down to the second. Any kinks that remain are meticulously worked out. At last, with a plan proven battle-tested, all that’s left is to flip the switch. All their preparation will soon be put to the ultimate test of execution under intense pressure and duress. Come what may, they’ll be ready.
When Plans Come Undone
All the preparation builds to this crucial moment—the execution of the plan. As the crew storms the facility under cover of night, the film ratchets up the tension. Hviid utilizes frenetic camerawork and jarring editing to fully place us in the throes of the high-stakes operation.
Early hiccups emerge as a driver struggles and tools must be improvised on-the-fly. Kasper tries keeping cool but impatience from Slimani mounts. Things escalate when a guard is overpowered, perhaps rougher than intended. Attempts to reason only inflame Slimani further.
Their time window shrinks as smoke fills the hallways. Cash is stuffed into duffels, but Slimani wants more, more. Against an increasingly unstable situation, Kasper just wants out before things explode. But with fortunes already sunk into this make-or-break plan, reluctance to accept loss proves everyone’s downfall.
Maria’s unexpected arrival injects greater chaos. Shots ring as the crowds mobilize outside, sirens wailing closer. Kasper makes a split decision, causing irrevocable harm. Guilt and disbelief wash over him even as escape seems futile.
In the gripping car chase climax, we’re as disoriented as the robbers. Crashing metal and screaming pervade the narrow vehicle. Have they finally outran justice unscathed, or will the cracks in this botched plan ultimately prove damning? When the dust settles, not all will get away with their greed intact.
Beneath the Crime Thriller
While functioning well as an edge-of-your-seat heist flick, The Quiet Ones intriguingly explores deeper themes. Greed and desperation drive these criminals, whether for money, power, or fleeting glory. But Hviid sees them as tragically human—flawed beings whose stressful circumstances overwhelm reason.
Kasper’s arc shows how good intentions can spiral as resilience wanes. His caring home life contrasts the life of crime, hinting many straddle that line. Slimani seems fated to clash, toxic masculinity warping his humanity. Even Maria comprises shades of gray in her quest for justice.
The script at times feels rushed, yet its moral dilemmas resonate. Kasper’s worsening choices feel true to a stressed man pushed to breaking. Minor characters lack nuance, yet their simple roles advance the thrilling narrative mechanics.
Though not redefining the genre, Hviid’s film addresses it with purpose. He sees his criminals—and society—not as absolutes but as complexes of virtues and flaws. Themes of desperation, the blurry line between right and wrong, and humanity’s capacity for both good and evil give The Quiet Ones a sophistication that lifts it above run-of-the-mill crime fare. While not perfect, its thoughtful reflection renders it a cut above popcorn entertainment.
In spinning riveting action from real events, Hviid crafts not just an exciting thriller but a richer exploration of morality, circumstance, and the fragile state of humankind.
Ambition Over Achievement
Overall, The Quiet Ones shows flashes of potential but falls short of greatness. Hviid displays clear directorial flair in set pieces and a commitment to gritty crime drama. But the script feels rushed, sidelining interesting characters while not fully fleshing out others.
Gustav Giese and Reda Kateb give compelling leading performances that keep viewers hooked in an otherwise meandering narrative. And recreating a headline-making heist through drama is an ambitious premise deserving of a tighter, more impactful execution.
There’s no denying the appeal of seeing real events sensationally staged for the big screen. But for all its attempts to delve into morality and the human condition, moments of introspection feel superficial. By the climactic finale, desperation and greed have overshadowed any deeper thematic resolutions.
While not offensively bad, this effort aims higher than it reaches. As entertainment, fleeting thrills and solid craft make The Quiet Ones passably watchable. But it barely scratches the sophisticated surface of its true crime source material. For those seeking artful crime cinema that sustains long after final credits, this film ultimately comes up short.
In aspiring for greatness while settling for implied potential alone, The Quiet Ones leaves viewers wanting more, both from its memorable real events and from Hviid’s budding talent behind the camera.
The Review
The Quiet Ones
While its subject matter and visual flair show promise, The Quiet Ones struggles to deliver a fully compelling narrative experience. Uneven storytelling and underdeveloped characters hold back an ambitious crime drama that wants to explore meaning beneath the surface thrills. Flashy action scenes and committed performances provide fleeting entertainment, but greater depth and character focus were needed to turn potential into true cinematic achievement.
PROS
- Inspired by a notorious real-life heist
- Tense action set pieces
- Committed central performances by Giese and Kateb
- Attempts thematic complexity beyond surface thriller
CONS
- Uneven pacing and narrative structure
- Underdeveloped side characters and female roles
- Fails to fully realize the potential of its intriguing true crime basis
- Themes of desperation and moral ambiguity not deeply explored
