‘Operation Aunties’: A Cybercrime Film with Action and Comedy

DALLAS (KDAF) — Two lifelong friends—a cautious cryptocurrency expert and a free-spirited, retired detective—become unlikely vigilantes in Operation Aunties, a new feature film streaming on AllBlk. The story follows the pair as they take on a powerful cybercrime syndicate threatening their city and their families, blending action, drama, and comedy.

The film marks a return to the screen for Tisha Campbell, who steps into the role of retired detective Sharon O’Hara. Campbell, who grew up surrounded by law enforcement professionals, tapped into that family background to shape her character.

“All of my family members are blue-collar workers,” Campbell said. “I have captains, lieutenants, sergeants—all in the police force. Whenever I play a police officer or a detective, they laugh at me because I can’t shoot anything. I’m the worst shot ever. But some of them also taught at the Academy, so I was able to work with them. They said, ‘We’ll make you look good.’ And that they did.”

Both Campbell and Raquel share a foundation in musical theater and television. This film marks another step in Raquel’s evolution as a leading storyteller. The director worked closely with screenwriter TJ Ali during development, creating what she describes as a collaborative environment that allowed her to capture the heart of the story while navigating its more complex themes of cybercrime and personal responsibility.

“It was a seamless transition,” Raquel said. “It became a safe space. We did a delicate dance that enhanced not only my performance but allowed me to translate better to my actors, to the crew, to everybody—and to tell the story.”

So, what should audiences take away?

“I want them to be edutained,” Raquel mused. “I want them to be vigilant. I want them to have a great time. This is for the grown, this is for the young, this is for everybody. It’s for everybody to be vigilant—and everything that you do, all pun intended, to be the vigilantes.”