GREEDY PEOPLE TRAILER 1

Two bumbling cops accidentally murder a rich civilian, but find themselves in the crosshairs of dangerous foes that wanted to do so first. This is the 1^st trailer for Greedy People.

In a sleepy island town, enthusiastic rookie cop Will (Himesh Patel) accidentally murders a rich civilian after a routine house call gone wrong. His rogue partner Terry (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) discovers a million dollars hidden in the civilian’s house, and comes up with an idea: they stage the murder as a crime scene, and take the money for themselves. With a pregnant wife (Lily James) at home, Will reluctantly agrees.

Unfortunately for the two cops, many of the island’s residents had their eyes on the cash, too. And, while being forced to investigate the crime they themselves committed, these two cops will soon learn what happens when everyday people get a greedy gleam in their eye.

The 1^st trailer for Greedy People falls into the trap of many indie comedy-crime trailers in a post-Fargo world. Tonally, the trailer can’t decide whether or not the characters lead the plot, or vice versa. In many films with similar subject matter, the crime itself is inconsequential – a MacGuffin to expose the inner hilarity of the characters. In others, the crime itself drives the characters into insane situations.

By not making it clear which throughline to establish in the trailer, the film’s pacing and humor fall flat. Lead star Himesh Patel does little but make reaction faces, while co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt is let down by a cartoonish performance that isn’t sure whether or not the character is bumbling or devious. Overall, the trailer offers little in terms of a distinctive plot, bland characters, and humor that lacks the satirical punch needed for a premise this goofy-sounding.

Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, Greedy People will release theatrically in the US on August 23, 2024. The movie stars an ensemble cast led by Himesh Patel, Lily James, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.