Netflix’s The Diamond Heist is a wild retelling of one of the UK’s most audacious attempted robberies: the 2000 plan to smash into the Millennium Dome with a bulldozer, snatch the world’s second-largest diamond, worth £350 million, and escape by boat down the Thames. On paper, this sounds like a high-stakes thriller. But the tone of the docuseries leans more toward a zany caper than a serious true crime exposé.
From the start, the production flirts with a comedic, almost tongue-in-cheek narrative style that clashes with the gravity of the crime itself. Interviews are delivered with a lighthearted air, particularly by Beth and Lee Wenham, whose cheerful demeanor feels bizarre when recounting a criminal operation involving millions. Their upbeat tone may amuse some viewers, but it borders on unsettling, especially given that the documentary tiptoes around the ethical implications of glorifying criminal behavior.
What’s more jarring is the documentary’s portrayal of Lee Wenham. Framed as charismatic and oddly likable, he receives a strange sort of narrative glow-up. For someone who orchestrated a violent theft, the film seems strangely invested in his charm. It’s not quite hero worship, but it’s uncomfortably close, especially when set against the broader backdrop of the diamond’s shady industry ties, which are touched upon but not deeply explored.
The stylized recreations add another layer of absurdity. Instead of enhancing tension, many of them feel cartoonish. One scene involving Bill Cockram—presented with full lion sound effects as he brawls in a pub—completely breaks the immersion. Rather than lending realism or weight, these dramatizations undercut the story’s impact and veer into the ridiculous.
That said, the series does pick up steam in its latter half. As the heist unfolds and the police operation intensifies, the tone becomes more grounded. The procedural aspect is genuinely intriguing, offering insight into how law enforcement navigated surveillance, undercover operations, and the final takedown. It’s in these segments that the series finds its stride, balancing suspense and detail effectively.
Despite its tonal inconsistencies, The Diamond Heist isn’t entirely without merit. The absurdity of the crime itself—ram-raiding a landmark with a JCB and planning a James Bond-style river escape—is inherently fascinating. The mechanics of the plan, from its inception to the failed execution, are compelling. But the documentary’s inability to decide whether it’s a slick comedy or a serious crime saga ultimately dilutes its impact.
In the end, The Diamond Heist struggles to strike a balance between entertainment and ethical responsibility. While it delivers a quirky and at times amusing portrayal of a real-life criminal operation, the documentary often undercuts its own seriousness with bizarre reenactments and overly lighthearted interviews. It occasionally offers glimpses of insight, especially when delving into police tactics and the intricacies of the heist plan, but too frequently leans into spectacle over substance. Those hoping for a thoughtful exploration of the event may walk away unsatisfied. However, viewers open to a surreal, offbeat retelling of true crime might find it oddly compelling.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times