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Crime drama

The Mastermind (2025): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Mastermind (2025) movie poster

The Mastermind is a 2025 crime drama directed by Kelly Reichardt, starring Bill Camp as Bill Mooney, Josh O'Connor and Hope Davis. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and was made on a reported $2 million budget. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
Echo Score
91
budget
$2M
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The Mastermind (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Kelly Reichardt
Genres
Crime , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
MUBI
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Mastermind About?

The premise of The Mastermind without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a quiet Massachusetts town around 1970, an unemployed carpenter decides to try his hand at art theft, operating under the belief that it’s not a crime if you avoid detection. He meticulously plans his first major heist, but when unforeseen complications arise, his carefully constructed world begins to fall apart, leading him down a dangerous path.

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Cast & crew

The Mastermind Cast & Characters

Bill Camp leads the cast as Bill Mooney, with Josh O'Connor as JB Mooney and Hope Davis as Sarah Mooney. Directed by Kelly Reichardt; 48 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Mastermind

· 44 more
Show all 48 cast members
From the director

More from Kelly Reichardt

More films directed by Kelly Reichardt, best-rated first: First Cow, Meek's Cutoff, Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Mastermind Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Mastermind 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 91/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (84).

91 /100

The Mastermind Echo Score Breakdown

The Mastermind delivers a consistently refined experience, excelling in visual craftsmanship, nuanced performances, and an atypical heist narrative that rewards patience. Critics highlight the film's meticulous period setting, restrained yet resonant character work, and a sensory palette that evokes the 1970s without relying on conventional action. While its deliberate pacing may challenge some viewers, the overall impression is that the work offers lasting appeal and repeated viewing value.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, the film is lauded for its understated yet precise cinematography and production design that evoke a vivid 1970s atmosphere. Reviewers note the careful framing of quiet moments and the grounded texture of each frame, suggesting a high level of directorial control. The overall art and craft are therefore judged as exemplary.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth, critics emphasize Josh O'Connor's hapless yet charming portrayal, describing his performance as both ingenuous and emotionally resonant. The sparse dialogue foregrounds inner turmoil and chemistry, allowing the protagonist's wandering soul to anchor the story. Consequently, the character work is viewed as a strong, nuanced component of the film.

  • Story & Flow 84

    Regarding plot structure, reviewers appreciate the unconventional heist premise that forgoes chases in favor of introspection and minimal dialogue. The measured tempo creates a droll, occasionally humorous rhythm, though its restraint may feel slow to some. Overall, the narrative is considered engaging and original, albeit paced deliberately.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    In the sensory realm, the film is praised for its quiet poeticism, precise visual texture, and period-appropriate soundscape that together reinforce its 1970s spirit. While specific soundtrack details are limited, the overall auditory and visual cohesion contribute to an immersive atmosphere. The sensory experience is therefore assessed as highly effective.

  • Rewatch Factor 86

    Evaluating replay value, critics point to the film's watchability, memorable scenes, and subtle humor that reward repeat viewings. Its classic‑like treatment of a genre subversion and lingering emotional threads suggest lasting appeal. Accordingly, the rewatch factor is considered strong, encouraging audiences to return for deeper appreciation.

Plot

The Mastermind Plot Summary

What happens in The Mastermind from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1970, in the town of Framingham, a down-on-his-luck carpenter named JB Mooney hatches a risky plan to steal four Arthur Dove paintings from the local art museum. Motivated by financial strain and a stubborn taste for something bigger than ordinary life, he borrows money from his parents and then borrows more from his wife’s family under the pretense of funding work. With that seed money, he enlists two partners, Guy Hickey and Ronnie Gibson, to pull off the heist. The trio makes it to the museum, where the theft unfolds with tense precision: Gibson unloads a gun on a student not far from a homework assignment and a security guard is overpowered, while the others act in concert to take the paintings.

Full summary

The whole story of The Mastermind, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Mastermind Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 3 clips and 7 featurettes.

All 13 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2
  • Teaser Josh O' Connor's got things to do in THE MASTERMIND
  • Clip Official Clip
  • Clip Official Vertical Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Mastermind?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist who hatches the risky heist plan?

Details

The Mastermind Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “마스터마인드” and “La Mente Maestra”.

Also known as
  • 마스터마인드
  • La Mente Maestra
  • 藝盜低飛
  • Afērists
  • Натхненник
  • 盜藝有道
  • 主谋

Seen The Mastermind?

FAQ

The Mastermind FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Mastermind, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Mastermind?

The Mastermind runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was The Mastermind released?

The Mastermind was released on May 23, 2025.

Who directed The Mastermind?

The Mastermind was directed by Kelly Reichardt.

More films by Kelly Reichardt

Who is in the cast of The Mastermind?

The Mastermind stars Bill Camp as Bill Mooney, Josh O'Connor as JB Mooney and Hope Davis as Sarah Mooney, among 48 credited actors.

What was the budget of The Mastermind?

The Mastermind had a reported budget of $2 million.

How is The Mastermind rated?

The Mastermind has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Mastermind have a post-credit scene?

No. The Mastermind has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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