A Street of Dreams – Empire State

It’s time to yak about “Empire State,” a film that, I have to say, kinda sneaked up on me. You know, I usually enjoy a good crime drama, especially one starring someone like Liam Hemsworth. You can’t quite ignore that chiseled jawline, right? And with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson muscling in, I anticipated a wild ride. But, as giddy as I was, after the credits rolled, I had mixed feelings, kinda like biting into a kanelbulle only to find it’s not as fresh as it looks.

Set in the gritty world of 80s New York, the flick is under the watchful eyes of director Dito Montiel. Mind you, this isn’t his first rodeo with tales of crime and the struggling everyman. The story’s based on a real heist—one of the biggest in U.S. history—but what caught my heart was the friendship angle. The plot’s thick, centers around two pals, Chris (Hemsworth) and Eddie (Michael Angarano), navigating a world brimming with temptation and danger.

Honestly—and I’m just being straight with you—I found myself more drawn to my own memories while watching it. It reminded me of staking out with my buddy Pär back in Uppsala, planning to nab the last slice of pizza before our friends could. Granted, a bit less risky than stealing millions in cash, but hey, the stakes felt high back then.

But here’s the thing. As much as I wanted to love the movie, the pacing was like driving through an endless Swedish forest road—kinda monotonous, even with the twists and turns. I’m not sure if it was the script or maybe it just needed a touch more life, a sprinkle of “kött och potatis” soul.

So, maybe give it a watch on a rainy Tuesday when you’re missing the hustle and bustle of another era. It’s worth it for the camaraderie and, of course, The Rock being his charming self. Bring your own fika, though. You’ll need it.

Check the trailer below