Watch American Animals

American Animals is a 2018 movie based on a true story of four young men who hatch a plan to commit a heist to steal valuable books from a library. The four friends - Spencer Reinhard (Barry Keoghan), Warren Lipka (Evan Peters), Eric Borsuk (Jared Abrahamson), and Chas Allen (Blake Jenner) - are bored with their mundane lives as college students in Kentucky and they yearn for some excitement. Their plan involves stealing rare and valuable books from the special collections section of the Transylvania University Library. The books they target include a first edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, an early copy of the Audubon's Birds of America, and a copy of James Audubon's Ornithological Biography.

The movie follows the boys as they meticulously plan and prepare for the heist, with Warren leading the charge. The team conducts extensive reconnaissance of the library, identifies weaknesses in the security system, and creates elaborate backup plans. To accomplish their goal, they adopt different disguises, including wearing old men masks to avoid detection by the security cameras. The sheer audacity of their plan and the risks they were taking fascinated viewers as the young men set out to execute their ambitious plan.

However, as the day of the heist approaches, the boys begin to experience doubts and second thoughts. They start to realize the gravity of the crime they are planning to commit, and the consequences of their actions begin to weigh heavily upon them. Their once foolproof plan quickly starts to unravel as unforeseen circumstances arise, leaving them in a dangerous and desperate position. The movie explores not only the thrill of the heist but also the emotional and psychological impact of their choices and actions.

Throughout the movie, the characters are portrayed in a complex and nuanced manner. Warren, the mastermind of the heist, is charismatic and daring yet flawed, making viewers both root for him and feel frustration at his recklessness. Spencer, on the other hand, is portrayed as the more introspective and intellectual one, whose conscience is more acutely troubled by what they are about to do. Eric is the overlooked, uncertain member of the team who ultimately emerges as the voice of reason.

The storytelling of the movie takes a unique approach as well. Director Bart Layton uses a mix of documentary and re-enactment to bring this true story to life. This hybrid storytelling approach draws upon the recollections of the real-life perpetrators, who serve as the movie's narrators, as well as dramatic sequences of their experiences leading up to and following the heist. Layton also introduces elements of humor and irony throughout the movie, which further add to its overall appeal.

American Animals is a fascinating and thought-provoking movie that explores the themes of youth, friendship, morality, and the complex nature of human behavior. The acting performances by Reinhard, Lipka, Borsuk, and Jenner were widely praised by critics, and the movie enjoyed a positive reception from audiences worldwide. It is a must-watch for anyone looking for an intelligent, impactful, and compelling cinematic experience.

American Animals is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 68.