‘You could still rob a bank’: Anna Sawai, Nicholas Hoult & Pete Davidson on crazy new crime film

"Everyone's like: 'Ah, you can't. There's cameras everywhere, or surveillance, but you can, you can. You've just got to try really hard," Pete Davidson told JOE.

The movie follows the Wolf Pack, a crew of social media-savvy bank robbers (led by Hoult) who broadcast their daring heists, unaware that their growing viral fame has put them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent (John C. Reilly) and a brilliant software engineer (Zoë Kravitz).

"Despite the unlikely duo closing in, the crime ring pushes past their limits, putting everything on the line for their beliefs - and their most ambitious heist yet," the plot synopsis adds.

How to Rob a Bank is terrific popcorn entertainment, thanks to its great premise, its stylish action, its exploration of contemporary societal issues, and its universally excellent performances.

Watch the trailer for How to Rob a Bank right here:

JOE had a fun chat with Davidson, Hoult and Sawai about what they learned about heists while making How to Rob a Bank, what they hope audiences take away from the movie, and their experiences in Ireland and working with Irish actors.

You can read a transcript of that conversation below, which has been edited slightly for clarity and length.

JOE: Within the movie, there's all these fascinating stats and guidelines about how to pull off the perfect heist. Was there anything you three learned about heists while making the film that you found particularly surprising?

Pete Davidson: I think that you could still do it today. There's a lot of negativity towards the ability to commit crimes today. Everyone's like: 'Ah, you can't. There's cameras everywhere, or surveillance,' but you can, you can. You've just got to try really hard.

Nicholas Hoult: Be smarter.

Pete Davidson: You could still be a villain in today's world, and I think that's the main message that we were trying to portray with this movie is that you could still rob a bank, dude [Hoult and Sawai start laughing].

Nicholas Hoult: Yeah, yeah, really encouraging people, if possible, to get out there and start robbin'.

Pete Davidson: If you can get yourself a sawed-off shotgun, a couple masks, and a tech guy, and you're good.

JOE: That was actually my next question, because I do think on top of it being a great heist movie, it's also this story about wealth inequality... What do you hope audiences take away from the story?

Pete Davidson: I just hope they enjoy it. I think anytime you can escape to a theatre for a bit and not look at your phone for two hours and have a good time, that's priceless right there, so I hope that's what people take from it.

Anna Sawai: Yeah, and to hopefully inspire them to start a conversation.

JOE: My takeaway from it was I think something's gone wrong if I have to rob a bank to afford to live or afford a house or pay for important medicine...

Nicholas Hoult: That is the bigger conversation about what the movie's representing in terms of all these people who have had, you know, some unluck and, in theory, have played by the rules for a long time, and the system has been kind of stacked against them in a way that they can't get a break. 

One thing when watching the movie is I think of this community that [the characters] have built and given back to and taken care of, and it's upon each of us to kind of take that upon ourselves to look out for people surrounding us, so maybe that's something.

Pete Davidson: And empathy, empathy for people... Sometimes you see people doing stuff that you might not agree with, but having empathy and learning there's usually a reason for people's behaviour. I think that's like kind of a lost emotion today. So having empathy first before judging, I think it's really important.

JOE: I'm speaking to you from Ireland, and we tend to ask actors if they have any Irish connections. I know Pete, you played a gig in Dublin last year...

Pete Davidson: I did!

JOE: ...And Nicholas, you were at a stag do recently here. What were your experiences like here?

Pete Davidson: I had a great time. Dublin was beautiful. A lot of great food, and the people there are just like super cheery and positive, and they were a really well-behaved, fun audience. I think, if you're not from Ireland or you're not Irish, there's this rowdy sort of stigma that comes with that, but there wasn't. It was a really supportive, nice, kind, well-behaved, fun sort of environment. I had a great time, and I can't wait to go back.

JOE: And Nicholas, did you have a good time here?

Nicholas Hoult: I had an amazing time, yeah. It was my best friend's stag do, which I was on crutches for because I'd just torn my ACL and meniscus the weekend before.

Pete Davidson: Oh yeah, he filmed the whole movie with a bum leg. 

Nicholas Hoult: Yeah, but then I was like: 'Well, I can't miss his stag do,' so I got on a flight to Dublin, and I was there, and everyone was very kind and looked out for me, considering I was hobbling around.

And also I got to play a beautiful golf course there, on one leg, which was great.

JOE: And Anna, I just wanted to ask you quickly about The Beatles movies [where she plays Yoko Ono]. I know you're probably sworn to secrecy on that, but obviously there's a big Irish connection there with Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan. What's your experience been like working with them?

Anna Sawai: It's so amazing. They're actors that I admire, so to be able to share scenes with them is very, very special to me, and I'll be able to share more when the time comes.

JOE: I look forward to that.

Pete Davidson: [Gesturing to Anna] Do you remember when we were in the car on that first day?

Anna Sawai: I do remember!

Pete Davidson: We put on the Beatles. You were like: 'I love the Beatles,’ and now you're in all the movies.

[Sheepishly] I love James Bond... I love Marvel... I love Taylor Sheridan.

How to Rob a Bank is in cinemas on Friday, 13 November