Set It Off is a 1996 American crime thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Kate Lanier and Takashi Bufford. It stars Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise as the four women who decide to rob banks to take control of their lives and end their financial struggles.
Stony Newsome (Smith) works at a bank, but is fired after a customer insults her. Her friend Cleo Sims (Latifah), who works as a hairdresser, suggests robbing the bank. They recruit two other women: Frankie Sutton (Fox), a single mother who dreams of a better life for her son, and Tisean Williams (Elise), who is struggling to support her younger brother and pay for his education.
The women start off with small heists, but gradually turn to bigger banks. They use disguises, fake IDs and explosive devices to break into vaults. As they become more successful, they use their money to buy new clothes, cars, and even a beach house. However, their success also attracts the attention of the police, particularly LAPD detective Strode (John C. McGinley), who has a personal vendetta against one of the women's brothers.
As the women's heads swell with success, tensions begin to rise. Frankie becomes paranoid that Stony is working with the police, while Cleo begins to resent Stony's leadership and claim to a bigger cut of the money. Meanwhile, T.T. is forced to reveal her secrets to her brother when she is blackmailed by one of her ex-boyfriends.
In the final heist, the women plan to steal $3 million from the Federal Reserve Bank of Los Angeles. However, their plan goes awry and they are pursued by the police. In a heart-wrenching finale, the women are all caught and either killed or arrested.
Set It Off explores themes of sisterhood, poverty, race, and the struggle for empowerment. It was praised for its strong performances by the leading actresses and its depiction of black women as complex and nuanced characters. It grossed over $41 million at the box office and has become a cult classic of the 90s.
