🎨💰The Mastermind (2025): Kelly Reichardt’s Artful Heist with Josh O’Connor – Plot, Cast, Release Date & Where to Watch

“It’s not stealing if you don’t get caught.”

This October, the world will be taken on a heist like no other with The Mastermind, the latest film from acclaimed filmmaker Kelly Reichardt. Blending art, deception, and family drama, this suspenseful tale transforms the classic heist movie into a deeply personal story about a man torn between his suburban life and his criminal alter ego.

After dazzling audiences at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in competition for the Palme d'Or, the film is set to release globally on October 17, 2025, in theaters across the US, UK, Latin America, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Australia, and more.

🖼️ The Story: A Family Man with a Dangerous Secret

Set in the 1970s, The Mastermind follows James Blaine Mooney (Josh O’Connor) — a seemingly ordinary suburban husband and father who harbors an extraordinary secret. By day, he’s a family man. By night, he becomes an art thief of staggering ambition.

As his double life collides, James struggles to maintain control. His wife Terri (Alana Haim) suspects something isn’t right, while his family — including their children Carl and Tommy — find themselves caught in a web of lies. With each high-stakes heist, James risks everything: his freedom, his family, and his very identity.

Like James says in one tense exchange, “Every masterpiece needs a thief bold enough to steal it.”

🎬 Cast & Characters

The film boasts a powerhouse cast that blends fresh energy with seasoned depth:

• Josh O’Connor as James Blaine Mooney – the art thief living a double life.

• Alana Haim as Terri Mooney – the suspicious, resilient wife.

• Hope Davis as Sarah Mooney – a central figure in the family’s unraveling.

• Bill Camp as Bill Mooney – anchoring the generational legacy.

• John Magaro as Fred – a dangerous associate.

• Gaby Hoffmann as Maude – a sharp observer in James’ world.

Supporting roles include Eli Gelb, Cole Doman, Javion Allen, Matthew Maher, Rhenzy Feliz, and more — each adding layers to Reichardt’s intricate narrative.

🎥 Kelly Reichardt’s Heist with a Twist

Known for her subtle, character-driven dramas (First Cow, Wendy and Lucy), Kelly Reichardt takes an unexpected turn with The Mastermind. Instead of a fast-paced crime caper, she delivers a slow-burn, artful heist film — one that lingers on quiet moments of doubt, betrayal, and ambition.

Her decision to set the film in the 1970s art world heightens the tension, blending the glamour of stolen masterpieces with the claustrophobia of suburban secrecy.

As critics noted at Cannes, Reichardt doesn’t just ask if James can pull off the perfect crime — she asks whether he can survive the weight of his choices.

🏆 Festival Buzz & Critical Reception

Premiering at Cannes 2025, The Mastermind quickly became one of the festival’s most talked-about entries. With its nomination for the Palme d’Or, it cemented Reichardt’s reputation as one of today’s most daring filmmakers.

Audiences praised Josh O’Connor’s performance, calling it one of his most transformative roles yet. Alana Haim also received acclaim for bringing emotional depth to the film’s moral conflict.

Now, as it heads toward its wide release, anticipation is building for what many are calling the heist film of the decade.

📅 Release Date & Where to Watch

• The Mastermind releases in theaters on October 17, 2025.

• Distributed by MUBI, the film will roll out worldwide, hitting the US, UK, Europe, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and more.

• Streaming details are yet to be announced, but given MUBI’s involvement, it will likely find a home on the platform after its theatrical run.

🌟 Final Thoughts

The Mastermind is not just another heist movie — it’s a portrait of ambition, secrecy, and sacrifice. With Josh O’Connor delivering a career-defining performance and Kelly Reichardt crafting an artful vision of crime and consequence, this is a cinematic event you won’t want to miss.

As James Mooney himself reminds us, “The line between genius and madness is as thin as the frame of a painting.”

This October, prepare to step into the shadows of the art world and witness a heist where the stakes aren’t just money or masterpieces — they’re family, identity, and soul.