Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

REVIEW:

I genuinely can’t understand why Den of Thieves 2: Pantera didn’t receive a wider cinema release across the UK. Gerard Butler is a recognisable name who still draws crowds, and this felt like the sort of January release that should’ve found success in that post-holiday dead zone where very few big movies tend to drop. In my area, it wasn’t shown in a single local cinema, which is frustrating for someone who was really anticipating the follow-up to a film I thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve had to wait for it to appear on Amazon Prime just to finally watch it — and as of writing this, there’s still no confirmed release for a physical media copy either. That alone feels like a missed opportunity for a movie that had the potential to punch far higher.

Having loved the original, I was eager to see where the story would go next. Gerard Butler returns as Big Nick, and this time we’re introduced to a more weathered version of the character — divorced, bitter, and clearly haunted by how things ended with Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) in the first film. That lingering regret gives the sequel its emotional backbone, and to the film’s credit, it doesn’t take long to pivot from revenge to reluctant partnership. When Nick finally tracks Donnie down in Nice, France — of all places — and decides to join him in a diamond heist instead of arresting him, it’s both absurd and brilliant. That unexpected direction gives the movie its own identity instead of retreading familiar ground.

What really makes Pantera work is the unlikely chemistry between Butler and Jackson Jr. They’re two very different energies, but somehow it clicks. There’s one particularly memorable sequence where they’re both completely intoxicated and on drugs, brawling in a bar and riding around on electric scooters before sharing an honest heart-to-heart about their childhoods. It’s not only one of the funniest parts of the film, but also one of the most character-driven scenes, grounding these larger-than-life personalities in something more human. It’s rare for a heist movie to pause and dig this deep into its two leads, and that’s where this sequel earns its stripes.

Donnie’s reconnaissance of the World Diamond Centre is another highlight. The way he observes, calculates, and mentally maps out guard rotations and blind spots is handled with subtle intelligence. It’s satisfying to watch him work — no theatrics, just clean precision. The film’s cinematography stands out here too, with some truly beautiful establishing shots that range from the sun-scorched streets of Los Angeles to the architectural charm of Nice, and finally the cool grandeur of Italy. Christian Gudegast clearly knows how to frame a shot, and the aesthetic ambition is much higher this time around.

Unfortunately, it does lack the relentless tension and bullet-ridden bravado of the first film. There’s really only one proper shootout in the whole movie, which feels underwhelming considering how explosive the 2018 original was. While Evin Ahmad brings some welcome edge to the supporting cast, the rest of the new characters just don’t stick. They’re mostly there to fill space, never given enough screen time or depth to be memorable. And unlike the first film, where we got a visceral look at the crew’s preparation, this time most of the heist planning is rushed through dialogue, which takes away some of the suspense.

That said, the actual heist sequence is still enjoyable. It relies more on stealth and coordination than brute force — a quieter, more methodical job that prioritises tension over spectacle. While it doesn’t match the high-stakes intensity of the downtown LA shootout in the first movie, it’s a satisfying centrepiece. And if nothing else, the decision to try something a little different — to strip things back — does give Pantera its own flavour.

The ending twist really worked for me. I’ll admit, I had a slight suspicion after seeing the trailers, but Gudegast plays it smart, keeping just enough hidden until the final moments. It was the exact kind of payoff I was hoping for — a confident, character-driven resolution that wraps this story up while setting the stage for more. And just when I thought the film was done, the second twist hit — and it’s that final reveal that leaves me genuinely excited for the third film. I just hope we don’t have to wait another six years for it, and more importantly, I hope it gets the big screen release it deserves.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera might not match its predecessor in sheer adrenaline, but it carves out its own lane with more character focus, a fresh setting, and two leads that bring something special to the screen. It’s not perfect — slower paced, lighter on action, and thin on supporting characters — but the ending really stuck the landing for me. I’m scoring this one higher than I initially expected, and that’s almost entirely thanks to those final scenes. It’s a solid sequel, and if you liked the first, Pantera is definitely worth your time.