The Mastermind

Name: The Mastermind movie review
Item: The Mastermind
Rating: 3.5
Author: HB Reviews

Drama · Crime

2025Movie1h 50m

Kelly Reichardt’s *The Mastermind* is a thoughtful, character-driven heist film that prioritises performances and atmosphere over conventional thrills, offering a quietly compelling alternative to the genre.

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3.5/5Entertainment Value: YesTMDB audience5.7/106 sources Reviewed by HB ReviewsResearched 13 Aug 2026

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Digital release timing and streaming availability data from TMDB and JustWatch, supplemented by verified official platform sources. Platforms vary by location and can change.

HBReviews

The Mastermind (2025)

Movie Review: 3.5/5

Entertainment Value: Yes

Is The Mastermind worth watching?

Yes. HB Reviews rates it 3.5/5 and considers it entertaining overall.

Spoiler-free story

B. Mooney sets out on his first heist.

Story source: TMDb

Short Verdict

Full Review

*The Mastermind* marks another finely observed entry in Kelly Reichardt’s filmography, trading the high-stakes tension of traditional heist cinema for a more introspective, slow-burn character study. Set in a sleepy 1970s Massachusetts suburb, the film follows J.B. Mooney (Josh O’Connor), an unemployed family man who fancies himself a criminal mastermind after planning his first art theft. Reichardt’s signature minimalism is on display—long takes, understated dialogue, and a deliberate pace—creating a film that feels as much like a meditation on human folly as it does a genre piece.

The premise is straightforward, but Reichardt’s execution is precise. The film’s strengths lie in its attention to detail, from the meticulous production design that evokes the 1970s setting to the naturalistic performances that make even mundane moments feel charged. O’Connor’s portrayal of Mooney is nuanced, capturing the character’s delusional confidence and gradual unravelling with subtlety.

The Mastermind

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The Mastermind (2025)

Is The Mastermind worth watching?

Short Verdict

Full Review

Category Breakdown

Evidence / Sources

Official / metadata

Editorial / reporting

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