A trailer forAubrey Plaza’sEmily the Criminalhas just been released by Roadside Attraction and Vertical Entertainment. The thriller follows the story of Emily, a jobless young woman with art school student debt, struggling to find a solution for her financial problems and “be free.” The film, set to hit theaters on August 12th, is written and directed by John Patton Ford. This marks his feature debut.
The trailer introduces us to Emily, whose previous criminal record hinders from employment, as she looks to make ends meet. She is presented with the opportunity to act as a “dummy shopper,” someone who makes purchases with stolen credit cards. As Emily sees her funds increase, she descends into a life of crime.Emily the Criminalalso stars Theo Rossi as Youcef, the middleman that lures Emily into the scheme, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon.
In a statement, Patton mentioned the film is deeply personal to him as the underlying theme is about following one’s desires:
“I was trying to be a filmmaker, and the whole thing filled me with fear — the fear of failure, the fear that someday I might regret having spent so much time even trying. So, I poured all that fear into the script, and out came a story about just going for it. A story about running toward your passion despite the warning signs. Emily discovers that she loves being a criminal … and unlike most of us, she has the guts to follow her love to the bloody end. Maybe I was giving myself a hero to follow. "
Emily the Criminaldebuted to critical acclaim at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Plaza served as producer under her Evil Hag Productions banner, alongside Tyler Davidson and Drew Sykes for Low Spark Entertainment. Kevin Flanigan, Dexter Braff, Angus Wall, Kent Kubena, Lowell Shapiro and Mike Dill serve as executive producers.
Aubrey Plaza’s Career
Plaza is slated to produce and star in Hulu’s upcoming seriesOlga Dies Dreaming, based on Xochitl Gonzalez’s well-received debut novel that explores Puerto Rican culture. Plaza most recently starred in Guy Ritchie’sOperation Fortune: Rue de Guerrewith Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, and Josh Hartnett andBest Sellersopposite MIchael Caine. She appeared in one episode of HBO’sWhite Lotusand istaking a lead role for season two.
Although Plaza’s breakout role came as April Ludgate in the NBC sitcomParks and Recreation, the actress has received critical acclaim for her roles in darker films, includingBlack BearandIngrid Goes West. In 2021, Plaza won the Imagen Award for Best Actress forBlack Bearand in 2018, she was the recipient of the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for producing Ingrid Goes West.
Plaza has also appeared onHappiest Season, FX’sLegion, Safety Not Guaranteed, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Life After Beth, Mike and Dave Need Wedding DatesandAn Evening with Beverly Luff Linn, among others.
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