Review - Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

When Big Nick Goes Big Abroad: Diamonds, Drama, and Drunken Shenanigans

So here we are: Den of Thieves 2: Pantera — or as I like to call it, Butler Abroad: Cop Edition. The sequel hits the ground running, picking up right where the 2018 flick left off, with Sheriff "Big Nick" O’Brien (Gerard Butler) still nursing the emotional scars of being outfoxed by Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.). But this time, the chase takes us across the pond to Europe, where diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia are setting the stage for a heist so shiny, it could blind the Fast & Furious crew with envy.

And what does Big Nick do when faced with an international ring of crooks? He pulls the ultimate "If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em" move. That’s right, folks—our man Butler teams up with his nemesis Donnie for this one, creating the kind of uneasy bromance that Hollywood thrives on. If buddy comedy dynamics aren’t what you expected from Den of Thieves, well, buckle up.

Sometimes you steal diamonds. Sometimes you steal the show. Butler does both.

The cast delivers what you’d expect—and then some. Gerard Butler continues to embody “gritty cop energy” like he was born clutching a badge and a beer. Meanwhile, O'Shea Jackson Jr. brings a slick charm to Donnie, making their interactions the heart of the movie. Bonus points for the European cast, with standout appearances from Evin Ahmad and Salvatore Esposito, who add depth to this diamond-studded escapade.

The heist itself? Oh, it’s got all the trademarks of the genre: elaborate plans, shifting loyalties, and just enough surprises to keep you guessing. Christian Gudegast trades the original’s gritty procedural tone for a shinier, faster-paced vibe—more Monaco yachts, less Los Angeles grime. Some might call it a downgrade, but I call it a cinematic spa day for Den of Thieves. Sure, the plot has more holes than Big Nick’s liver, but who’s counting?

Critically, the movie’s pulling a 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, which basically translates to "fun if you’re in the mood." Some say the buddy-comedy tone undercuts the tension, while others praise its breezy shift away from self-seriousness. It’s true: if you’re here for Heat 2.0, you might walk away scratching your head. But if you lean into its buddy-cop-meets-international-heist swagger, you’ll be just fine.

As for the action? It’s there, though maybe not as wall-to-wall as fans of the first might hope. But the quieter moments between Butler and Jackson Jr. are where the film really shines. Watching Big Nick down slivovitz in a French disco while lamenting his life choices? Cinema.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is the kind of movie where you forgive the lack of plausibility because, hey, you’re having a damn good time. With its shift in tone, it may not win over everyone, but it sure as hell knows how to entertain those willing to roll with it. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s like finding a diamond in a rough pile of knockoff heist movies—it’s shiny, kinda jagged, but you’ll still flex it to your friends. It’s an F, but the kind that stands for Fun, Flashy, and Full of questionable life choices, just like Big Nick.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera - 5/10