The music video for "Criminal" became more famous—and controversial—than the song itself. Filmed in Dalston, London, it featured Britney and her then-real-life boyfriend, Jason Trawick, as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.

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A (like Max Martin and Shellback) who shaped this sound. Other Britney Spears songs that tell a narrative story.

Departing from the heavy synth-pop of the era, the track features a prominent, medieval-style flute melody and a mid-tempo guitar rhythm. 🎬 The Controversy in London

The filming occurred shortly after the 2011 London Riots, leading officials to claim the video "glamorized" gun violence in a community still recovering from unrest.

Though it was a moderate hit upon release, "Criminal" has seen several waves of renewed popularity:

In recent years, the song became a viral sensation on TikTok, where users utilized the "Mama I'm in love with a criminal" line for various "bad boy" character edits and POV videos.