The Quiet Ones Review: A Cool Danish Heist Short on Surprises

This The Quiet Ones review starts with a simple question: can a heist film still feel fresh? Frederik Louis Hviid's Danish action-crime thriller, known in Denmark as De lydløse, tackles what it bills as the largest heist in the country's history. It has a solid hook and a committed lead, though the execution plays it safer than the premise promises.

The Quiet Ones Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The story is set in 2008. A group of men from Denmark and elsewhere in Europe is gearing up for a robbery of record-breaking scale. Kasper (Gustav Dyekjær Giese) is a boxer running low on chances, and the foreign organisers offer him a role he never expected: planning the whole thing.

That setup gives the plot a neat engine. Kasper is an outsider to the criminal world who is suddenly trusted with its biggest job. The film uses its first act to introduce the crew, show what Kasper stands to gain, and make clear that saying yes will cost him.

The screenplay is by Anders Frithiof August. It leans on the classic heist rhythm of recruitment, preparation and pressure, rather than on elaborate trickery.

What Works in The Quiet Ones

The best idea is the point of view. Following a fighter who has to swap instinct for strategy gives the film a human angle that many heist movies lack. Kasper feels like a man out of his depth, and that keeps the early scenes grounded.

The Danish and European setting also helps. The 2008 backdrop and the mix of nationalities in the crew lend the story a cross-border feel, and it avoids the glossy Hollywood template. For fans of action movie reviews on this site, it is a reminder that smaller countries can still deliver confident genre films.

A few strengths stand out:

• A clear, easy-to-follow premise with a strong hook

• A lead character whose desperation drives the stakes

• A lean 110-minute runtime that rarely drags

The Quiet Ones Cast and Performances

The The Quiet Ones cast is led by Gustav Dyekjær Giese, who gives Kasper a wary, bruised quality. He sells the idea of a man who is used to taking hits and is now weighing a bigger gamble. It is a physical, restrained performance that suits the film's title.

Reda Kateb plays Slimani, and he brings the kind of calm authority that a heist crew needs. Amanda Collin appears as Maria, while Christopher Wagelin (Hasse), Jens Hultén (Joppe) and Granit Rushiti (Mo) round out the ensemble.

The cast is credible throughout. The issue is less the acting than how much material the script gives some of the supporting players to work with.

Where The Quiet Ones Stumbles

The main problem is familiarity. Anyone who has seen a few crime thrillers will recognise the beats, and the film rarely finds a twist on them. Tension builds, but it seldom surprises.

Some supporting characters stay sketched rather than developed, so the crew never fully feels like a team with history. That blunts the emotional payoff of the job itself. The film also treads lightly on its real-world inspiration, which makes the stakes feel smaller than the "biggest heist ever" billing suggests.

The audience response on TMDB, a modest 5.8 out of 10 from 80 votes, reflects this mixed impression. It is a decent genre piece, not a standout. If you like your crime movie reviews with a harder edge, you may want more bite.

Is The Quiet Ones Worth Watching?

Yes, if you are in the mood for a modest, well-acted heist thriller and don't need reinvention. It is competent, brisk and anchored by a good lead, even if it never rises above its genre mould.

The The Quiet Ones release date was 31 October 2024, and at 110 minutes it fits comfortably into a weeknight. Viewers who prefer inventive plotting may find it too routine. Those who enjoy character-led crime stories will get a reasonable return.

For more in a similar vein, you could try our take on Wanted Man or browse the rest of the site's picks. For background on the film, see its IMDb page.

Who Will Enjoy The Quiet Ones

• Heist fans who like a grounded, character-driven approach

• Viewers curious about European crime cinema, especially from Denmark

• Anyone who likes a fighter-turned-planner storyline and a steady, no-frills pace