Identity Thief

An unassuming businessman discovers that someone has stolen his identity and used his credit to set a string of crimes in motion. He decides to track the culprit himself, hoping to straighten his name and return to normal life. The pursuit drags him on a cross country trip filled with near disasters, awkward encounters, and moments that test his patience. He meets a woman who appears friendly and harmless, yet says nothing about her secrets. As the hunt tightens, the two of them find themselves tangled in a game of cat and mouse, where trust is scarce and danger lurks in plain sight. Along the way, small towns and cities become stages for miscommunication and acts of generosity from strangers.

Directed by Seth Gordon from a story by Craig Mazin, Identity Thief is a broad comedy built around mistaken identity. It pairs Jason Bateman with Melissa McCarthy for a fast paced road trip filled with pratfalls, chases, and sharp dialogue.

With a production budget of 35 million, the film grossed roughly 173.97 million worldwide, a solid return for a contemporary comedy. Its commercial performance helped establish the duo of Bateman and McCarthy as a reliable box office draw in theaters.

Identity Thief became part of the late 2010s wave of mismatched buddy comedies and heist farces, boosting Melissa McCarthy's standing as a major box office lead. Its pratfalls and fast paced gags found a broad, repeat viewing audience, while Jason Bateman's pinched restraint provided an effective counterpoint to the chaos.

Critics generally viewed Identity Thief as a glossy fast moving crowd pleaser rather than high art, but they noted strong chemistry between the leads and a steady stream of punchlines. Its themes include identity and deception seen through a comic lens, with consequences handled lightly with a practical, light humor.