Apple TV's new thriller "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy, delivers a familiar yet thrilling ride that pays homage to classic mob and heist films. Critic Christopher Stevens of the Daily Mail rates the series four out of five stars, describing it as a "rollercoaster thriller's a joyful homage to all the best Mob movies."
From its opening moments, "Lucky" plunges viewers into a non-stop pursuit as its protagonist, a con artist on the run from both the FBI and the Mob, navigates a dangerous landscape. The series intentionally echoes iconic cinematic moments, with scenes reminiscent of "Casino," "Batman," and "Breaking Bad." One sequence featuring the lead characters in a Las Vegas gaming room and another involving a tortoise under a cactus are noted for their visual parallels to classic films.
The narrative follows the con artist, Anya Taylor-Joy, and her husband, Cary (Drew Starkey), as they steal $10 million. Instead of immediate flight, they opt for a night of partying in Las Vegas, after which the cash and Cary disappear, leaving the protagonist to contend with the arrival of the FBI, led by Agent Rand (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor).
The series' visual style and plot devices are described as drawing heavily from familiar tropes within the crime genre. The introduction of the Mob boss, who is also the protagonist's mother-in-law (Annette Bening), is highlighted as a classic, glamorous yet threatening moment seen in countless Mafia and heist films. The protagonist's nervous habit of flicking a Zippo lighter also contributes to this sense of familiar character tics.
Stevens suggests that "Lucky" effectively blends elements from authors like Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino, and television series such as "The Sopranos," along with "Ocean's Eleven" and its spin-offs. While acknowledging that the series may not break new ground in terms of originality, the review concludes that its strength lies in delivering a well-executed, familiar, and entertaining experience, akin to the reliable enjoyment of a well-built rollercoaster.