#REVIEW: “THE MASTERMIND”

Review by Nicholas Porteous for Mr. Will Wong

The Mastermind is Kelly Reichardt‘s heist movie. That’s the pitch. Known for her thoughtful, slow-paced approach to storytelling, Reichardt might be the last person you’d think of to tackle anything thriller-adjacent. But she’s not here to tackle anything. In her latest, ironically-titled vision, she quietly and carefully unravels the genre with the help of Josh O’Connor, playing a man with a plan that collapses in on itself in the least explosive way possible.

The Mastermind is better classified as an anti-heist movie, and a welcome rejoinder to our endless cinematic (and real-life) affair with con men. It’s about the monotony of thievery, and it consistently takes the piss out of our lead by framing him as deadbeat, desperate and downright laughable. The title isn’t the only part of the Movie with a dry sense of humour, either. The jazzy score invokes a crime caper full of twists and turns, playing as a deliberate mismatch with the events on screen. This guy isn’t brilliant or wily. Danny Ocean wouldn’t glance at him sideways.

As the slow-moving story of an unsuccessful criminal, The Mastermind isn’t going to blow anyone’s hair back. But it’s designed from the ground up to be unsexy, unflattering, and muted. Does that make it a success? I’m not entirely sure. In a vacuum, the story has merit as a remarkably grounded fall from grace. But the Film’s real value lies in its relationship with other movies, and our preconceived notions of thieves as roguish anti-heroes who outwit and outmaneuver the system with a wink and a smile. It plays with thrilling concepts in a decidedly dreary manner. While I applaud the idea, and I enjoy thinking about it after the fact, I can’t say the process of watching the nearly 2-hour escapade had me leaning forward in my seat.

If you’re a fan of Reichardt, it’s a new spin on what she does best. If you’re anticipating an escapist action adventure, take note–The Mastermind isn’t even trying to be that movie.

Mubi Canada release THE MASTERMIND October 25, 2025.