Honestly, if you've rewatched National Treasure lately, you've probably realized something. Ben Gates is the face of the operation, sure. He’s the one with the legacy and the "I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence" lines. But Riley Poole is the reason they aren't all in federal prison by the end of the first act.
He's the resident genius, the sarcastic heart, and frankly, the most relatable guy in the whole franchise. While Ben is busy staring intensely at bricks in the Old North Church, Riley is the one actually making the thermal imaging work. He’s the guy who buys the gear, hacks the security feeds, and reminds everyone that they are, in fact, committing several felonies.
The Technical Wizardry of Riley Poole
Let’s look at the facts. Riley isn't just a guy who's "good with computers." That’s a massive understatement. In the 2004 original, he’s using a high-end HP Compaq Nx7010 to bypass the National Archives' security systems. This wasn't some magical "enhance" button movie trope; he was literally managing a complex surveillance tap in real-time.
Without Riley, the heist doesn't happen. Period.
✨ Don't miss: What Year Did Footloose Come Out? The True Story of the 1984 Classic
His skill set is surprisingly broad. We're talking about a man who:
- Bypasses infrared sensors.
- Calculates the exact timing of sunlight hitting the floor of Independence Hall.
- Wrote a book titled The Templar Treasure and Other Myths That Are True (which, okay, didn't sell well initially, but it was factually sound!).
- Manages a "Book of Secrets" revelation while being essentially a fugitive.
It’s easy to write him off as comic relief, but Justin Bartha plays Riley with this specific brand of anxious competence. He’s constantly terrified, yet he never leaves Ben’s side. That’s not just a sidekick; that’s a ride-or-die partner who deserves way more than the 1% finders fee he initially got. Or rather, the half-percent after taxes.
The Underappreciated Arc: From Van to Red Ferraris
Remember the beginning of Book of Secrets? Riley is at a book signing where literally nobody shows up. It’s painful to watch. He’s the guy who helped find the greatest treasure in human history, and he’s still getting his car towed because of a technicality with the IRS.
That’s the Riley Poole experience in a nutshell.
💡 You might also like: La Llorona Lyrics Coco: Why This Mexican Folk Legend Hits Different in the Movie
He’s the most "human" element of the National Treasure world. Ben Gates lives in this world of grand destiny and historical weight. Abigail Chase lives for the preservation of history. Riley? Riley just wants to pay his bills, maybe own a nice car, and not get shot at by mercenaries.
There’s this layer of sadness fans have picked up on over the years. Some people on Reddit and Medium have even theorized that Riley’s backstory is way darker than the movies let on—pointing to his desperate need for approval and how easily he's dismissed by the "experts" around him. He’s the outsider. He didn't go to the fancy schools for history; he learned it because he was interested, or because Ben needed him to.
What Really Happened in Edge of History?
When the Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History dropped in 2022, the biggest question wasn't about the new treasure. It was: "Where is Riley?"
His cameo in the episode "Charlotte" was a total nostalgia bomb. He turns up to help Jess Valenzuela, and we find out he and Ben have been busy. Specifically, they’ve been working on a project for 15 years. Riley mentions they have "47 different ways" to look at a certain problem.
That is a direct, screaming nod to Page 47 of the President's Book of Secrets.
For those who forgot, at the end of the second movie, the President asks Ben to look at page 47. Ben calls it "life-altering." For nearly two decades, fans have obsessed over this. Is it aliens? The JFK assassination? The fountain of youth? Riley’s mention of "47" in the series confirms that he is still the technical backbone of whatever massive mystery Ben is currently untangling.
Why We’re Still Obsessed With the Tech Nerd
Riley Poole works because he says what the audience is thinking. When Ben suggests something insane, Riley is the one who says, "That’s crazy." He provides the ground-level perspective that makes the high-stakes treasure hunting feel real.
He’s also the king of the "unintentional save." Whether it's noticing a detail on a dollar bill or accidentally finding a mechanism while trying to stay out of the way, his contributions are constant.
Interestingly, there is a real book you can actually buy now—Riley Poole's Book of Secrets: History for National Treasure Hunters by Aubrey Paris. It treats the character with the respect he deserves, looking at the "lesser-known" history that Riley would actually be interested in. It’s a cool bit of meta-fiction that proves the character has a life outside the films.
📖 Related: Watching 2001: A Space Odyssey Full Movie and Why It Still Breaks Our Brains
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore of Riley Poole or the National Treasure universe, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the "Charlotte" episode of Edge of History. It’s the closest thing we have to a National Treasure 3 right now and gives the best update on what Riley has been doing.
- Look for the deleted scenes. The DVD releases (and some YouTube uploads) have Riley-centric scenes that explain more about his technical setup and his dynamic with Ben.
- Track the "Page 47" theories. The most credible theories involve 1947 (Roswell) or the 47 Ronin, but Riley’s dialogue in the series suggests it’s something more "puzzle-oriented" than a simple historical fact.
- Check out the Aubrey Paris book. If you want the "Riley" perspective on history, it’s a great way to scratch that itch while we wait for news on a third theatrical film.
The rumors about National Treasure 3 have been circulating for years, with Jerry Bruckheimer and Nicolas Cage occasionally dropping hints. But let's be real: the movie won't work without Riley. You need that sarcasm. You need that tech. You need the guy who’s just trying to survive the adventure without losing his shoes.