The Mastermind

In a quiet Massachusetts suburb in 1970, James Blaine "JB" Mooney is an unemployed husband and father who starts planning one risky crime to change his family's prospects. He studies a local museum, maps guard routines, and gathers a small group of acquaintances to help pull off a first theft. JB promises a flawless strategy and tries to keep his domestic life ordinary while rehearsing roles for each accomplice. Tension builds as small mistakes and personality clashes threaten to unravel arrangements. The film follows his slow, careful preparation and the ticking anxiety that comes with attempting something illegal in a tight community, without revealing how the plot ultimately resolves. People close to him behave unpredictably and complicate his plan further.

Released in 2025 and directed by Kelly Reichardt, The Mastermind stars Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Hope Davis, John Magaro, and Gaby Hoffmann. The film keeps a restrained, period look and is presented as an original feature rather than an adaptation.

The Mastermind opened in a limited theatrical run, with modest commercial returns and no widely reported grosses. Its release was positioned toward specialty venues and festivals, aiming for critical conversation more than mainstream box office success overall.

Set against a convincing 1970 backdrop, the film's slow-burning tone and attention to small domestic details have prompted viewers to compare it with American crime dramas. Its portrayal of suburban malaise, quiet desperation, and muted moral ambiguity has been noted in discussions about how ordinary lives intersect with criminal impulses.

Critical response to The Mastermind has been mixed, reflected in a 5.75/10 user vote average from 88 votes. Reviewers praise the performances and period detail while critiquing pacing and payoff. The film probes family pressure, economic frustration, and ethical compromise, often showing crime as a response to strained domestic circumstances.