LOS ANGELES, April 12 — Watch the first trailer for upcoming heist thriller American Animals that is based on a true story.

The film stars Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson. It centres on four friends who brazenly attempt to steal one of the most valuable books in the United States.

The synopsis of the film reads: "American Animals is the extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends who brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history. Centring on unpredictable wild child Warren (Peters) and aspiring artist Spencer (Keoghan), two friends from the middle-class suburbs of Lexington, Kentucky, the film follows the duo through college life at separate universities, as adult pressures begin to weigh heavily on their futures. Realising their lives may never be important, they organise the brazen theft of some valuable books from the special collections library of Spencer’s college, including Audubon’s Birds of America, valued at US$10 million. Enlisting two more friends, budding accountant Eric (Abrahamson) and fitness fanatic Chas (Jenner), the gang meticulously plots the theft and subsequent fence of the stolen volumes, taking cues from popular heist movies. But the thieves’ plans go awry, placing their bright futures in limbo.”

American Animals is set for release on June 1.

A screengrab from upcoming heist thriller ‘American Animals’ that stars Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner and Jared Abrahamson.