Owen Gleiberman of Variety calls Den of Thieves 2: Pantera a satisfying impersonation of a high-end crime film, saying that Gerard Butler is good enough to lift “a piece of pulp so it almost seems like a real movie.” The critic continues:

Honor must be respected,” intones Jovanna (Evin Ahmad) at the start of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which hits theaters Jan. 10. But as the old saying goes, there’s no such thing among thieves, and that proves all too true in this stellar sequel to 2018’s cult hit.

Butler's brusque, beady-eyed, scowling-hulk charisma has aged well. A quick-fire actor in a caveman's body, he has the ability to lift a piece of pulp so that it almost seems like a real movie.