The Criminal — Emily

(2022) is a gritty, high-stakes crime thriller that serves as a biting social commentary on the modern American economy. Written and directed by John Patton Ford, the film stars Aubrey Plaza in a career-defining performance as Emily Benetto, a woman trapped by insurmountable debt and a lack of legal career options. Plot Summary

The film highlights the crushing reality of student loans and medical debt that "haunts the lives of many Americans". Emily the Criminal

Emily is an aspiring artist in Los Angeles struggling to pay off . Because of a past felony conviction for aggravated assault, she is locked out of white-collar jobs and forced to work as an "independent contractor" for a food-service delivery company with no benefits or security. (2022) is a gritty, high-stakes crime thriller that

It draws a direct parallel between illegal fraud and the exploitative nature of legitimate low-wage labor, suggesting both systems are equally predatory. Emily is an aspiring artist in Los Angeles

John Patton Ford’s debut is noted for its "bare-bones" style and "adrenaline-fueled" pacing, similar to the work of the Safdie brothers.