Lying and Stealing 2019

Ivan Warding, played by Theo James, is a skilled thief who specializes in lifting priceless artwork from the affluent residents of Los Angeles. The city’s elite has a vast collection of artworks valued at over a million dollars, but they often come with minimal security, making them a much more appealing target than banks. Ivan slips into these swanky parties through the rear entrances or kitchens, which are typically left unguarded. Once inside, he deftly swaps the original artwork with a replica while disposing of the real piece disguised as trash.

Despite his talent, Ivan feels the tightening grip of crime boss Dimitri Maropakis, portrayed by Fred Melamed, who demands that he continue in the art heist business. Ivan’s tumultuous relationship with his brother, Ray Warding, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, is complicated further by their struggles. Ray’s own troubles include rehabilitation for drug addiction, leading to his expulsion for trading medication in dubious ways.

To pay off Dimitri—who is entangled in Ivan’s father’s debts—Ivan uses the profits from his art thefts. Each heist allows him to stash away some cash in a safe in his apartment. When Ivan inquires about the total debt he owes Dimitri, he learns that the details remain ambiguous. It’s revealed that Dimitri’s brother, Eric Maropakis, takes care of the accounting. Dimitri’s racetrack operation is linked to the monetary issues instigated by Ivan’s father’s gambling addiction. Ivan resolves to quit this life after just two more jobs, though Dimitri realizes that Ivan has accrued a fair amount of savings.

Dimitri assigns Ivan a high-stakes task: to steal a self-portrait of Adolf Hitler from a veteran named John Wolf. A remarkable marksman, John is formidable, boasting a decorated military background, including the precise takedown of 11 enemy soldiers using only 26 bullets. His extensive collection of Nazi memorabilia is housed in a secure war room within his mansion.

Meanwhile, the ambitious and indebted actress Elyse Tibaldi, played by Emily Ratajkowski, finds herself caught up in her own deceptive games. After fleeing a troubling encounter with a producer, she swipes a necklace from his wife, leading to an unfortunate debt of $250,000 that prevents her from working in the city. Ivan and Elyse’s paths cross occasionally at similar high-profile venues.

In a clever twist, Ivan successfully pilfers the coveted portrait without breaking a sweat. He skillfully sedates John’s dogs, allowing him to sneak into the mansion undetected and extract the prized artwork. However, he soon discovers that detective Lyman Wilkers, acted by Isiah Whitlock Jr., is on his tail due to complaints from those he has robbed.

As the tension escalates, Ivan learns about Elyse’s financial struggles and her need to repay her producer. Their fates intertwine when Ivan decides to confront Dimitri regarding his surveillance issue, leading to a contentious negotiation. Against the backdrop of escalating danger, Ivan strategically enlists Elyse’s collaboration, even spending the night together.

Dimitri’s henchmen finally attempt to pilfer Ivan’s hidden stash, but Ivan’s foresight leads him to relocate the money, avoiding their grasp. In a dramatic showdown, Ivan encounters and dispatches one of the henchmen who ambushes him.

The plot thickens as Elyse picks up Dimitri under the guise of a night out, with Eric as their chauffeur. Unbeknownst to them, Dimitri recognizes Eric, resulting in a violent confrontation. Just as Elyse’s situation becomes dire, Ivan intervenes, revealing that Dimitri has been poisoned by Eric’s drug-laced drink, leading to his death from an overdose.

In the wake of the chaos, Ivan manages to restore order by returning the stolen art pieces and clearing Elyse’s debts. With newfound alliances, Ivan, Elyse, and Eric set their sights on future art heists, marking the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in their lives.