Criminal (2016), directed by Ariel Vromen, is a high-stakes action thriller that combines elements of sci-fi with espionage, all revolving around a unique and morally complex premise. Starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds, the film explores themes of identity, redemption, and the ethical implications of memory manipulation.

The story opens with CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) in the midst of a critical mission involving a hacker known as “The Dutchman” (Michael Pitt), who has gained control of U.S. military codes that could potentially launch devastating attacks. Pope is being pursued by a ruthless Spanish anarchist, Xavier Heimdahl (Jordi Mollà), who wants access to these codes to disrupt the global order. Before Pope can reveal the Dutchman’s location, he is captured and killed by Heimdahl’s men, taking his vital knowledge to the grave.

Enter Dr. Franks (Tommy Lee Jones), a neuroscientist who has developed an experimental procedure to transfer memories from one person to another. The CIA, led by the intense and desperate Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman), turns to this radical technology in a last-ditch effort to extract Pope’s memories and save the world from catastrophe. However, there’s a catch: the only suitable candidate for this procedure is Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner), a hardened criminal and sociopath who lacks any semblance of empathy due to severe brain trauma sustained as a child.

Jerico is an unpredictable and violent man, making him an unlikely and risky subject for such a sensitive mission. Once the memories are implanted, he experiences a torrent of emotions and recollections that are foreign to him. At first, Jerico resists the intrusion of Pope’s memories, using his new knowledge only to escape captivity and pursue his own desires. However, as flashes of Pope’s life continue to surface, Jerico begins to change, experiencing emotions and memories that challenge his previously violent and self-serving nature.

Costner’s portrayal of Jerico is central to the film, capturing the character’s transformation from a brutal, unfeeling criminal into someone capable of compassion and self-reflection. As Jerico struggles to reconcile Pope’s memories and mission with his own instincts, he becomes an unlikely hero, forced to navigate a web of intrigue, betrayal, and high-stakes danger. His growing bond with Pope’s widow, Jill (Gal Gadot), and their daughter further deepens the emotional stakes, bringing unexpected humanity to Jerico’s journey.

The film balances high-octane action sequences with the psychological and emotional turmoil faced by its main character. The action is intense, ranging from high-speed chases and shootouts to brutal hand-to-hand combat. While the film delivers plenty of adrenaline-fueled moments, it also delves into the ethical and moral questions raised by memory manipulation. Is it right to use an unwilling subject for the greater good? Can a man defined by violence truly change when given someone else’s memories and values?

Gary Oldman brings his characteristic intensity to the role of Quaker Wells, the morally ambiguous CIA chief whose single-minded pursuit of the mission sometimes borders on ruthless. Tommy Lee Jones, as Dr. Franks, serves as the voice of reason and scientific conscience, caught between the ethical dilemmas of his work and the reality of its application. Gal Gadot adds emotional weight to the story as a grieving widow who sees glimpses of her lost husband in Jerico, leading to moments of genuine pathos and complexity.

Despite its intriguing premise, Criminal was met with mixed reviews from critics, some of whom felt that the film’s ambitious ideas were undercut by a familiar action-thriller formula. Nonetheless, it remains an engaging watch for those interested in stories that blend gritty action with sci-fi concepts and moral complexity. The film raises thought-provoking questions about identity, free will, and the potential for change, all while delivering a fast-paced narrative that keeps viewers on edge.

Ultimately, Criminal succeeds as an unconventional take on the espionage genre, anchored by Kevin Costner’s powerful performance as a deeply flawed antihero who discovers the possibility of redemption through another man’s memories. It is a film that challenges its audience to consider what truly defines a person — their own choices or the influence of others.