Den of Thieves 2: Pantera: Gerard Butler Shines in Sleek Den of Thieves Sequel

The reason you watch these kinds of movies is for Gerard Butler. He’s just so good at these pseudo-B action flicks. I really enjoyed Den of Thieves, even though the twist at the end undercut it a bit. However, Den of Thieves: Panthera pulls off a similar twist—only this time, it actually works.

This sequel wasn’t something I thought was needed. The original had a gritty, grounded tone reminiscent of Heat or The Town, and it stood well on its own. But Panthera reinvents the formula just enough to justify its existence. It adopts a more polished and sleek aesthetic, leaning into modern heist and action-movie tropes while still retaining the raw tension that made the first film engaging.

The action sequences are well choreographed, particularly those involving cars and helicopters, but what really stood out was the sound design—especially for the gunfights. There’s a weight and punch to every shot that elevates the intensity. The film’s main heist scene builds strong tension, and the international setting adds a refreshing layer to the plot, giving the story more visual substance and style.

The new team introduced in this installment is fun and dynamic, but I had trouble buying into O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s character as the “mastermind.” He just doesn’t carry enough presence or charisma to sell the role, especially when he's constantly outshone by Gerard Butler and other supporting cast members. Butler’s character, Big Nick, continues to be a fascinating anchor for the film. He gets some notable character development here, with emotional beats that feel surprisingly earned.

The twist at the end is effective. While there are hints early on that clue you in, the film does a solid job of immersing you in the action and drama enough that you forget to question it until it hits. It doesn’t feel forced or gimmicky—instead, it enhances the story.

Overall, Den of Thieves: Panthera is a solid sequel that doesn’t just retread familiar ground. It evolves the style and tone to offer something slightly different while preserving what worked in the original. It’s not groundbreaking, but if you’re here for Gerard Butler doing what he does best, you’ll walk away satisfied.