The Bad Guys (2022) is an animated heist comedy film directed by Pierre Perifel, based on the children’s book series by Aaron Blabey. Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, the story follows a notorious gang of animal criminals led by the charismatic Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell). The crew includes Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), the sarcastic safecracker; Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), the sharp-tongued hacker; Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), the sensitive master of disguise; and Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), the short-tempered muscle.
After a daring bank heist, the gang is captured by Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) and faces prison. To avoid incarceration, Mr. Wolf proposes a deal: the gang will undergo rehabilitation under the guidance of Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), a polite guinea pig philanthropist. Their goal? To fool the public into believing they’ve turned good—while secretly planning to steal the Golden Dolphin award at Marmalade’s upcoming Gala for Goodness.
During a previous heist, Wolf helped an elderly woman and received unexpected praise, sparking doubts about his criminal identity. As the gang attempts to go “good”—rescuing guinea pigs (with mixed results) and saving a cat from a tree—Wolf begins to genuinely enjoy being seen as a hero. He also develops feelings for Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), who secretly is the retired master thief The Crimson Paw.
Their progress is derailed when a meteorite is stolen and the gang is framed. Marmalade reveals his true colors: he orchestrated the frame-up and plans to use the meteorite’s power to mind-control guinea pigs and steal $1 billion in charity funds. The gang is sent to prison, where Wolf declares he wants to truly go good—causing a rift with Snake, who refuses to believe change is possible.
Foxington rescues them and reveals her past, inspiring the gang (except Snake) to abandon Wolf. However, a small act of kindness from Snake convinces the others to return. Together, they infiltrate Marmalade’s lair, foil his heist, and expose his crimes. In a twist, Snake had secretly swapped the real meteorite with a fake lamp, leading to Marmalade’s downfall.
The gang surrenders, but their heroism earns them early release. In a mid-credits scene, they reunite with Foxington, now allies, hinting at a future as reformed citizens.
Themes include redemption, identity, and challenging stereotypes. The film blends fast-paced action, humor, and heart, with a unique animation style inspired by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
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