Emily (Aubrey Plaza) is saddled with $70k in student debt and stuck in a low paid catering delivery job. The misdemeanour assault record she obtained as a student due to an altercation with a boyfriend has locked her out of her dream career working as an artist in graphic design. 

The perpetual cycle of job rejections and loan interest has her buried in a seemingly inescapable position. So when a work colleague gives her the number for a “mystery shopper” gig that promises $200 cash she takes up the opportunity. Arriving at the location given she meets Youcef (Theo Rossi) who explains to Emily and all the other people there that what they are about to do is not legal. Provided with a cloned credit card and a fake driving license they are tasked with purchasing an item in a store and delivering it to a van parked in the car park. Success results in a cash payment and the offer of an additional task. 

Initially nervous and apprehensive Emily builds a relationship with Youcef that becomes a mentorship. Showing a talent for credit card fraud they go deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles. 

Emily The Criminal is a fascinating film. It is a taught thriller that runs at a fast paced 97 minutes. But it is also a statement on both reform within the criminal justice system and workers rights in low paid jobs. The fact that her one crime creates a spiral where further criminal enterprise is simpler than getting out from under is a bleak one. Whilst the manner in which workers are exploited for their labour is equally depressing. At one point her boss unilaterally removes some shifts from her working week and barks at her to go complain to her non existent union representative. As Emily dives deeper into the credit card fraud enterprise the circumstances she puts herself in become increasingly perilous with her tenacity and drive ramping up to match them. 

Aubrey Plaza is regularly exceptional in uniquely interesting and under the radar films. Check out Black Bear for a recent example. Her performance as Emily is no different and she carries the film brilliantly. Whilst debut John Patton Ford clearly has the ability to discuss important social messages within the genre film framework. 

Recommended.