Review by Jon Donnis
Colin McIvor’s No Ordinary Heist leans into its roots with quiet confidence, drawing from the Northern Bank robbery without ever feeling chained to it. Co-written with Aisling Corristine, the film settles into Belfast in 2004 and quickly makes clear that this is not about spectacle. It is about pressure. The kind that builds slowly, sits in the room, and never quite leaves.
At the centre are two men who would rather not share a conversation, let alone a crisis. Eddie Marsan’s Richard Murray is all tight control and simmering frustration, while Éanna Hardwicke’s Barry McKenna moves through life with a kind of careless energy that borders on self-destruction. Their relationship starts off brittle and only becomes more complicated once their families are dragged into a tiger kidnapping. With Richard’s wife and Barry’s mother held hostage, the pair are forced into an uneasy partnership that never quite settles into trust.
What stands out most is how deliberately the film handles tension. There is no rush to get anywhere. Instead, it lingers in small, telling details. A cigarette burning down to the filter. A glance that lasts a second too long. A silence that says more than any line of dialogue. These moments accumulate, and before long the atmosphere feels thick enough to cut. McIvor’s direction keeps things grounded, resisting the urge to overplay the drama. It works in the film’s favour. The stakes feel real because they are treated as such.
The performances carry much of that weight. Marsan is reliably excellent, bringing a kind of brittle authority to Richard that hints at deeper insecurity. Hardwicke, though, is the one who leaves the stronger impression. His Barry is unpredictable in a way that keeps the audience slightly off balance. One minute he is reckless and frustrating, the next he shows flashes of vulnerability that make you reconsider him entirely. Their back and forth gives the film its pulse. You believe the resentment, but you also sense the strange bond forming under pressure.
There is also a strong undercurrent of social tension running through the story. Workplace hierarchies, old grudges, and the lingering divisions of a place still finding its footing all feed into the narrative. It adds texture without ever feeling forced. The heist itself becomes almost secondary at times, overshadowed by the human dynamics that drive it forward.
That said, the film is not without its drawbacks. Anyone familiar with the real events may find the plot a touch overcomplicated. In reality, the situation was more direct, and the film’s added twists can feel like embellishment for the sake of drama. It is understandable from a storytelling perspective, but it does slightly undercut the authenticity the film works so hard to establish elsewhere.
There is also the question of accessibility. The dialogue leans heavily into local accents, which adds to the realism but may prove challenging for some viewers. If you are not used to it, subtitles might become essential, and that can affect how easily you settle into the rhythm of the film.
Even with those issues, No Ordinary Heist remains an engaging watch. Its relatively tight running time keeps things moving without overstaying its welcome, and the balance between tension and character work is handled with care. It never feels bloated or self-indulgent.
In the end, this is a film that succeeds because it keeps its focus narrow. It does not chase grand statements or flashy set pieces. Instead, it builds a story out of distrust, fear, and reluctant cooperation. The result is something that feels both intimate and quietly gripping.
No Ordinary Heist lands as a strong, character driven thriller with enough edge to keep you invested throughout. An easy 8.5 out of 10.
Out Now on Digital
Apple TV - https://apple.co/419iyTB
