I love heist movies, and many of my favorites (and some of the best) involve a mastermind. This expert assembles a team and executes a flawless robbery. He or she may face obstacles, but often succeeds in their criminal endeavor. I expected a similar heist story when I saw The Mastermind at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival. However, it told a different story of a criminal mastermind.
The Mastermind follows J.B. (Josh O’Connor), an unemployed former art student, who plans a heist at a museum. Things quickly escalate and go down a direction that J.B. doesn’t expect. This film goes against the traditional heist movie formula and the brilliant masterminds trope.
