what is this heist film worth? Our opinion

With The Amazon gangMélissa Drigeard changes gear and returns to a news item that shook France in the early 1990s: the robbery of several banks by childhood friends. The director retraces this story in a biopic without many surprises, but socially profound. Critical.

In the 1990s, five young women hoped to escape poverty by robbing several banks in the Vaucluse region. First disguised with mustaches and hairpieces, they robbed seven banks in all around Avignon. But the robbery too many – and the girls no longer bothered with the disguise of men – those whom the press nicknamed “The gang of Amazons” were finally arrested some time later, and judged.

In this group made up of childhood friends, we find Katy (Lyna Khoudri) – the leader, the one who came up with the ideal plan –, Laurence (Laura Felpin) – victim of her husband’s beatings –, Hélène (Izïa Higelin) – a mother of three, who struggles to make ends meet despite her work in a bakery –, Carole (Mallory Wanecque) – the bourgeois of the group – and finally Malika (Kenza Fortas) – Katy’s sister, who tries as best she can to keep her out of trouble.

When Hélène receives a letter from CAF informing her of an overpayment, the young woman finds her back against the wall. In debt, she must raise three children while taking care of her mother. The robbery then appears to be the ideal way to escape from one’s condition. No more difficult life: alongside her childhood friends, Hélène feels free. But the harsh reality of everyday life will catch up with the five women. Soon, they will have to be held accountable to the courts.

Social justice?

Mélissa Drigeard is now adapting the story of the Amazon gang. With this project, the director accustomed to comedies (Never the first night, Everything smiles on us et Hawaii) is trying out a new genre by developing a feminine, feminist, but also social biopic. Because, beyond being a French heist film – sometimes very academic – the feature film deciphers, through this group of friends, the fate of the suburbs, the class differences, as well as the difficulties that young women face. Insecurity, violence and invisibility thus appear to be the causes of the group’s decline into a so-called “criminogenic” society.

To compose her gang, Mélissa Drigeard called on the new guard of French cinema. Laura Felpin is leaving comedies like Love is overrated (2025) for a more serious game, when Lyna Khoudri surprises with her charisma. It is pleasant to see Mallory Wanecque and Kenza Fortas, two forces of nature, lend themselves to the exercise of the heist film, while Izïa Higelin represents the emotional pillar of the feature film.

It is also through it that the demonstration of the scenario takes on its full meaning. As endearing as she is indefensible, this single mother catalyzes the duality of the Amazon Gang. We find ourselves wanting its members to get away with it despite their reprehensible acts, to escape justice despite the violence committed. This is where the genre of the trial film, which comes into play in the last part, is interesting. Although it suffers from some shortcomings, notably in its resolution, by showing their life behind bars and their legal fight, The Amazon gang sheds light on justice at its most beneficial when we prioritize reintegration over punishment.

By exploring the social vein of the story, Mélissa Drigeard presents a more naturalistic film than her Hollywood counterparts. Indeed, where Spring Breakers (2012), The widows (2018) or Ocean’s 8 (2018) – revival feminine worn by Sandra Bullock from the saga imagined by Steven Soderbergh with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon – focused everything on entertainment and lightness, The Amazon gang strives to show the humanity of its heroines; the women behind the robbers. A judicious choice which offers a certain depth to the feature film and invites us into the intimacy of its characters, without judgment.