The upcoming heist film "Lift," directed by F. Gary Gray for Netflix, is on its way. Here's a spoiler-free guide to the cast and characters you should know before watching. January 2024 has been an eventful month for Netflix, starting with the release of its latest Harlan Coben adaptation "Fool Me Once," which quickly grabbed the attention of viewers when the full season was released on New Year's Day.
The streaming giant continued to expand its offerings with TV shows such as The Brothers Sun and Gyeongseong Creature Part 2, as well as movies like Society of the Snow and Good Grief. Coming next is filmmaker F. Gary Gray's latest action-comedy heist movie featuring a star-studded cast.
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Lift cast & characters
The movie "Lift" in 2024 centers on a group of international thieves, headed by Cyrus Whitaker, who attempt to steal $500 million in gold from a passenger plane flying at 40,000 feet.
Check out the complete cast list for "Lift" below, featuring the actors and the roles they portray.
Cyrus Whitaker: Kevin Hart
Netflix
Kevin Hart stars as Cyrus Whitaker, a skilled thief with a Robin Hood mentality in the art world. Despite his reluctance, he is convinced to work with the government for one final heist. Director Gray praised Hart's dedication to the role, noting that he was willing to go above and beyond to embody the character. Even with his busy schedule, Hart made rehearsing a priority, ultimately making a significant impact on his performance.
Abby Gladwell: Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Kevin Hart is most recognized as a stand-up comedian, with his most recent work in this genre being Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only. Additionally, he has appeared in several films such as Scary Movie 3, Ride Along, and the Jumanji spinoffs.
In the Netflix series, Gugu Mbatha-Raw takes on the role of Abby Gladwell, an intelligent and outspoken Interpol agent who finds herself having to collaborate with Cyrus and his team for a high-stakes mission. The situation is further complicated by the fact that she and Cyrus share a past due to an undercover operation in Paris.
Gray praised Mbatha-Raw's performance, stating that it was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with her. He noted her persistence and generosity, and how she supported every actor with unwavering energy throughout the entire process. The chemistry between Kevin and Gugu, with their diverse backgrounds, brought a complementary Yin and Yang energy to the project. Mbatha-Raw is known for her role as Kelly in Black Mirror's 'San Junipero', as well as appearances in Loki, The Morning Show, A Wrinkle in Time, and Beauty and the Beast.
Denton: Vincent D’Onofrio
Netflix
Vincent D’Onofrio portrays Denton, the skilled master of disguise within the Lift crew and a trusted friend of Cyrus'. Described as "Cyrus's loyal and resourceful companion, Denton utilizes his talent for disguise to contribute to the team's heists, but a mistake in Venice alters the group's course." D’Onofrio, an accomplished actor and filmmaker, has appeared in renowned films such as Men in Black, Ed Wood, and Full Metal Jacket, in addition to various Marvel projects as Kingpin.
Dennis Huxley: Sam Worthington
Netflix
Sam Worthington has been cast in the role of Dennis Huxley, Abby's Interpol boss, who instructs her to recruit Cyrus and the team for a gold heist in order to prevent it from ending up in the hands of global terror. Worthington is most recognized for his portrayal of Jake Sully in Avatar and has also starred in Clash of the Titans, Terminator Salvation, and Manhunt: Unabomber.
Camila: Ursula Corbero
Netflix
Ursula Corbero portrays Camila, the team's tough and determined getaway driver, who faces a daunting challenge when she is assigned to pilot a private jet. Corbero's impressive acting credits include Money Heist, the Snatch TV series, and Snake Eyes, among others.
N8: Jacob Batalon
Netflix
Jacob Batalon portrays N8, an artist similar to Banksy, who makes an early appearance in the film. Batalon is renowned for his portrayal of Peter Parker's best friend Ned Leeds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has also recently taken on the lead role in Reginald the Vampire.
Magnus: Billy Magnussen
Netflix
Billy Magnussen portrays Magnus, who is characterized as the "friendly safecracker" of the group, often making witty remarks that are tolerated, albeit barely.
Magnussen has previously appeared in films such as No Time To Die, The Big Short, Game Night, and Spy Kids: Armageddon.
Luke: Viveik Kalra
Netflix
Viveik Kalra portrays Luke, a member of the Lift crew who is described as a "thoughtful engineer with a beautiful mind." However, the question remains whether he has the necessary skills to contribute to a successful heist. Kalra's other acting roles include Next of Kin, Blinded by the Light, Beecham House, and Voyagers.
Mi-Sun: Yun Jee Kim
Netflix
Yun Jee Kim has joined the cast of Lift as Mi-Sun, Cyrus’ intelligent electronics expert who enjoys "keeping a digital eye on potentially shady plane passengers." Known as NS Yoon-G in the music industry, she has also received recognition for her acting roles in Road Kill, The Last Empress, and Mine.
Lars Jorgensen: Jean Reno
Netflix
Jean Reno portrays Lars Jorgensen, the main antagonist in Lift. Lars "utilizes his facade as a respectable member of society to conceal his involvement in financial terrorism."
Reno is well-known for his role as the titular character in the iconic 1994 film Leon. He has also appeared in Die Hart alongside Kevin Hart, the reboot of The Pink Panther, and The Big Blue.
Cormac: Burn Gorman
Netflix
Burn Gorman plays Cormac, a character who may prove a problem for Cyrus and his team.
Gorman has appeared in The Dark Knight Rises, Enola Holmes, Game of Thrones, and The Expanse.
Donal: Paul Anderson
Netflix
Paul Anderson is set to appear in the Lift cast as Donal, a character you can learn more about in the upcoming Netflix film. Anderson is well-known for his role as Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders, as well as for his appearances in Legend, The Firm, and Silent Witness.
Here is everything we know about the cast and characters of Lift, set to be released on Netflix on January 12. For more details about the movie, you can find further coverage of Netflix content below:
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the upcoming Netflix movie "Lift." The star-studded cast, including Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D'Onofrio, Sam Worthington, and Ursula Corbero, has me eagerly anticipating the film's release. The premise of a group of international thieves attempting to steal $500 million in gold from a passenger plane is both exciting and intriguing. I can't wait to see how the characters interact and work together to pull off this daring heist.
The diverse backgrounds and talents of the cast members add to the appeal of "Lift." Kevin Hart's comedic skills, combined with Gugu Mbatha-Raw's dramatic prowess, promise an entertaining and dynamic on-screen chemistry. Vincent D'Onofrio's experience in portraying complex characters adds depth to the story, while Sam Worthington and Ursula Corbero bring their own unique energy to the ensemble. I believe that "Lift" has the potential to be a thrilling and memorable heist film that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.