A little-known sequel (sort of) to Spike Lee’s 2006 thriller Inside Man has found new life on Netflix this week, climbing the platform’s streaming charts to number 2 in the UK despite its direct-to-video roots and limited fanfare…very limited fanfare, going under the radar is an understatement for this. Titled Inside Man: Most Wanted, the 2019 follow-up was quietly added to the service, and viewers are seemingly curious enough to hit play — whether out of nostalgia, surprise, or pure curiosity.
The sequel shifts the action to the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan, where another high-stakes hostage situation unfolds. This time, a coordinated team storms the building and traps civilians inside. But these thieves aren’t after money — they’re hunting Nazi gold. Leading the investigation are NYPD negotiator Remy Darbonne and FBI agent Brynn Stewart, played by Aml Ameen and Rhea Seehorn. Opposite them is a new criminal mastermind known only as “Most Wanted,” played by Roxanne McKee, UK viewers will undoubtedly remember her, from her Hollyoaks days.
Inside Man: Most Wanted leans into its connection with the original, tying the story back to the late Arthur Case, the Nazi-sympathizer businessman revealed in the first film. His son, Dietrich, wants payback. Dalton Russell — the original thief played by Clive Owen — may be absent, but his actions linger. As the plot unfolds, we learn that Russell’s meticulous heist didn’t just uncover buried secrets, it lit a long-burning fuse.
Director Michael J. Bassett, now credited as M.J. Bassett, helms this entry. While it doesn’t boast the pedigree of its predecessor — no Denzel, no Jodie, no Spike — the sequel doesn’t entirely fumble the baton either. It’s not flashy, but it knows what it’s doing.
The film recycles some familiar touches: matching jumpsuits, a mysterious box, and a final twist. So for fans of the original, it’s more of a footnote than a legacy, but as far as streaming thrillers go, it’s a serviceable way to kill 106 minutes.
For Netflix viewers scrolling through crime thrillers, Most Wanted might hit the sweet spot between “I’ve seen that” and “why not?”. In a sea of forgettable DTV sequels, this one at least tries to connect the dots.
Inside Man: Most Wanted is now available to stream for UK viewers on Netflix. While US viewers will have to switch over to STARZ.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
You may also like
-
Why Simon Pegg Will Never Resurrect ‘Shaun Of The Dead’
-
‘John Wick 5’ Update Offers Hope for Keanu Reeves’ Future in the Franchise
-
‘Mad Max: The Wasteland’ Still Happening? Tom Hardy Says Things are Being “Discussed”
-
Alex Garland to Direct Live-Action ‘Elden Ring’ Movie for A24
-
Sydney Sweeney Says Her ‘Barbarella’ Remake Is Coming Together Just Don’t Expect It for Awhile Yet