Kelly Reichardt’s latest masterpiece, The Mastermind, brings 1970s art heist intrigue to life with her signature character-driven storytelling. After dazzling audiences at Cannes with a Palme d’Or nomination, this critically acclaimed thriller has arrived in theaters, blending historical inspiration with Reichardt’s distinctive cinematic vision.
Table of Contents
The Mastermind at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date (US) | October 17, 2025 (Mubi & Theaters) |
| World Premiere | May 23, 2025 (Cannes Film Festival) |
| Director/Writer | Kelly Reichardt |
| Streaming Platform | Mubi |
| Runtime | 110 minutes |
| Genre | Drama, Crime, Heist Thriller |
| Setting | 1970s America |
| Cannes Recognition | Palme d’Or nomination |
| True Story Inspiration | 1972 Worcester Art Museum robbery |
When and Where to Watch The Mastermind
Following its triumphant world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2025, where it earned a prestigious Palme d’Or nomination, The Mastermind has embarked on an impressive festival circuit. The film showcased at the New York Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival, earning a nomination for the coveted Sydney Film Prize.
US Release: The Mastermind opened theatrically and on Mubi streaming platform on October 17, 2025, making it accessible to both theater enthusiasts and home viewers simultaneously.
This dual-release strategy allows audiences to experience Reichardt’s meticulously crafted visuals either on the big screen or through Mubi’s curated streaming service, known for championing auteur-driven cinema.
For more updates on independent film releases, explore our entertainment coverage.
The Story: Suburban Facade Meets Criminal Mastermind
The Mastermind centers on James Blaine Mooney, a seemingly ordinary 1970s family man whose quiet suburban life conceals a shocking secret identity as a methodical art thief. Beneath his conventional exterior, Mooney weaves intricate webs of deceit, meticulously planning and executing daring heists targeting priceless masterpieces.
True Crime Inspiration: The narrative draws directly from the notorious 1972 robbery at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, where thieves made off with an invaluable collection including works by Picasso and Rembrandt. This real-life unsolved case provides the compelling foundation for Reichardt’s fictional exploration of suburban duplicity.
The film captures the jittery, high-stakes atmosphere of 1970s America while maintaining Reichardt’s trademark low-key realism that made films like First Cow and Certain Women critical darlings. The tension escalates when Mooney’s wife begins sensing something deeply wrong about her husband’s hidden life, triggering a cascade of consequences.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
Josh O’Connor as James Blaine Mooney: The Crown and Challengers star delivers what critics are calling a career-defining performance as the duplicitous art thief. O’Connor’s nuanced portrayal captures both Mooney’s suburban everyman persona and his calculating criminal brilliance.
Alana Haim as Terri Mooney: The musician-turned-actress (Licorice Pizza) plays James’s increasingly suspicious wife whose growing awareness threatens to unravel her husband’s carefully constructed double life.
Supporting Cast:
- Hope Davis as Sarah Mooney
- Bill Camp as Judge William Mooney
- John Magaro as Fred
- Gaby Hoffmann as Maude
This carefully assembled ensemble brings depth to Reichardt’s character-centric approach, with each performance adding layers to the intricate family dynamics and criminal enterprise.
Discover more about Josh O’Connor’s filmography in our actor spotlight section.
Production Journey: From Announcement to Acclaim
The project was first announced in September 2024, with production handled by Filmscience and financed by Mubi. Principal photography commenced by November 2024, reuniting producers Neil Kopp, Anish Savjani, and Vincent Savino with their longtime collaborator Reichardt.
Creative Team:
- Direction & Writing: Kelly Reichardt (also served as editor)
- Music: Rob Mazurek
- Production: Filmscience
- Distribution: Mubi
Reichardt’s hands-on involvement extended beyond directing and writing—she also edited the film herself, maintaining complete creative control over the final product. This level of authorship is characteristic of her filmmaking approach and contributes to the cohesive vision critics have praised.
Why The Mastermind Stands Out
Critics are hailing The Mastermind as one of Reichardt’s most ambitious and visually arresting works to date. The film marks a fascinating departure as she applies her contemplative, character-driven style to the thriller genre.
What Makes It Special:
- Reichardt’s signature minimalist aesthetic meets heist thriller tension
- Period-authentic 1970s atmosphere and design
- Based on unsolved true crime that continues to fascinate
- Festival circuit success validates artistic achievement
- Josh O’Connor’s transformative performance
- Exploration of American suburban mythology
The combination of Reichardt’s established artistic voice with the inherently cinematic art heist genre creates something genuinely distinctive in contemporary cinema.
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Festival Recognition and Critical Reception
Beyond its Palme d’Or nomination at Cannes, The Mastermind’s festival journey demonstrates its universal appeal. The Sydney Film Prize nomination further cements its status as one of 2025’s most significant independent films.
The film’s reception suggests audiences are responding enthusiastically to Reichardt’s unique take on familiar genre territory, proving that auteur-driven storytelling can successfully intersect with more commercially accessible narratives.
FAQs
Q: When did The Mastermind release and where can I watch it?
The Mastermind was released in the United States on October 17, 2025, with a simultaneous theatrical and streaming debut on Mubi. The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2025, where it received a Palme d’Or nomination, followed by screenings at the New York Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival. International viewers can access it through Mubi’s streaming platform, while it’s also playing in select theaters for those who prefer the big-screen experience.
Q: Is The Mastermind based on a true story?
Yes, The Mastermind draws direct inspiration from the real 1972 robbery of the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, where thieves stole a valuable collection including works by masters like Picasso and Rembrandt. However, director Kelly Reichardt uses this historical event as a foundation for a fictional narrative centered on James Blaine Mooney, a suburban family man leading a double life as an art thief. While the heist provides authentic context, the characters and specific story details are Reichardt’s creative invention.
