Gregory Hatanaka’s The DeMarco Crew is another entry in his long-running line of low-budget, crime-fueled thrillers—this time diving headfirst into heist territory with a touch of personal drama. At just over an hour, it’s brisk, loud, and packed with the kind of scrappy energy that defines much of Hatanaka’s work.
The film follows Dean DeMarco (played by frequent collaborator Nino Cimino), a master thief with a crew that’s as loyal as they are reckless. When Dean’s ex-girlfriend is kidnapped, the gang trades their usual cash scores for something far riskier—a rescue mission that tests their loyalty and skill in equal measure. What unfolds is part action-thriller, part redemption story, all wrapped in a pulpy, DIY package that feels straight out of the video store era.
Cimino once again gives his all, playing DeMarco as a no-nonsense antihero trying to do right amid chaos. Supporting him are familiar faces from the Cinedigm and Cinema Epoch world, including Chris Spinelli, Louis DeStefano, and Nicole D’Angelo—each leaning into the stylized, heightened world Hatanaka loves to build. The chemistry among the crew is one of the film’s better features, giving the story a sense of camaraderie even when the script (co-written by Cimino) veers into familiar clichés.
Production-wise, The DeMarco Crew has that unmistakable Hatanaka stamp: handheld camera work, fast pacing, and an unapologetic mix of gritty action and campy melodrama. It’s far from polished—some editing choices feel rushed, and the dialogue occasionally borders on parody—but there’s a sincerity beneath the chaos. You get the sense that everyone involved truly enjoys making movies, even if the results don’t always hit the mark.
As for the film’s marketing—let’s just say the poster’s exaggerated cover art feels only loosely related to the final product. The blonde bombshell featured prominently doesn’t appear to exist in the actual movie, which somehow adds to the strange, surreal charm of Hatanaka’s universe.
Is The DeMarco Crew a great film? Not really. Is it entertaining in its own trashy, high-octane way? Absolutely. It’s the kind of late-night watch that delivers a mix of laughs, gunfire, and sincere absurdity. For fans of Hatanaka’s world—or those who appreciate no-budget crime flicks that refuse to take themselves too seriously—it’s a fun, fast, and fittingly nonsensical ride.
Verdict: A chaotic, oddly charming heist thriller that’s equal parts clunky and entertaining. Hatanaka may not be reinventing the genre, but he’s definitely keeping it alive—one wild film at a time.
Jessie Hobson