Lift: gold, gags, and bad altitude in Netflix’s high-flying cri-fi heist (trailer).
If you’ve ever found yourself pondering the physics of pilfering precious metals mid-air, then buckle up for Lift, the high-flying heist comedy that’s about to land on your Netflix queue with a comedic thud.
In the world of laugh-out-loud larceny, Lift is about to set a bizarrely specific record: the first film to feature the attempt to steal half a billion dollars in gold from a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet. This is a flick that puts the high in high stakes. Forget the Ocean’s crew; this is what happens when Kevin Hart gets tired of the casino floor and looks to the skies for his next big score. Directed by F. Gary Gray, who knows a thing or two about crafting high-octane joyrides (having not jumped from, but certainly sped through, plenty of fast-paced action in his time), Lift promises to blend belly laughs with the kind of seat-edge suspense that has you snacking on your popcorn at an alarming rate.
Our hero, Cyrus Whitaker – a name that sounds like he was born wearing aviators and a leather jacket – is portrayed by Kevin Hart. Hart, who doubles as a producer, is presumably responsible for ensuring there are enough funny bones and parachutes to go around. Joining him is Gugu Mbatha-Raw, whose character’s details are under tighter wraps than the gold they’re planning to snatch.
The ensemble cast is a veritable checklist of ‘who’s who’ in Hollywood. There’s Vincent D’Onofrio, bringing gravitas and probably a scowl; Úrsula Corberó, who might be giving us a break from her Money Heist shenanigans to, well, commit more heist shenanigans; Billy Magnussen, likely providing a wildcard charm; and Jacob Batalon, who we hope brings snacks for this bonkers plane ride. The roll call continues with Jean Reno, who’s probably the guy with the plan, and Sam Worthington, who’s no stranger to dangerous heights (or depths if you count those underwater Avatar antics).
The movie’s inception is as intriguing as its plot. Back in March 2021, Dan Kunka’s spec script caught the eye of Netflix, perhaps while they were browsing the ‘criminal capers’ section of their content library. Simon Kinberg and Matt Reeves’ production companies decided they wanted in on the action, and by September, Gray was in the director’s chair with Hart at his side, presumably cracking jokes and taking names.
With principal photography whisking the cast from the scenic vistas of Italy to the robust charm of Northern Ireland, Lift has as much international flair behind the scenes as it does on screen. They even filmed at Belfast’s Harbour Studios, where the hardest thing to lift was probably the mood after long shooting days. Late May saw the cast lounging – or more likely, lunging through action sequences – around the stately grounds of Trieste’s Miramare Castle. Originally set to grace our screens in the summer of 2023, the Lift gang had to put their grand plan on pause due to the real-world plot twist of the SAG-AFTRA strike. But like any good heist crew, they regrouped and rescheduled, and now January 12, 2024, is the day the heist goes down.
So, mark your calendars, prep your in-flight entertainment system (also known as your comfiest couch), and make sure your Netflix subscription is as ready for a workout as Hart’s funny bone. Lift is ascending rapidly, and you’ll want to be onboard when this wild, whimsical caper takes off.
