Mubi has unveiled the official trailer for Kelly Reichardt's latest cinematic venture, "The Mastermind," an intense portrayal of Josh O'Connor's character, JB Mooney, as he meticulously orchestrates an art heist. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Massachusetts, the film chronicles the journey of O'Connor's unemployed carpenter-turned-art thief as he plots his inaugural grand larceny. However, as hinted by the film's synopsis, "when plans go awry, his life spirals into chaos."
Starring alongside O'Connor, Reichardt's script and directorial masterpiece, "The Mastermind," boasts an ensemble cast including Alana Haim, Gaby Hoffman, John Magaro, Hope Davis, and Bill Camp, and is slated for release on October 17th.
The trailer opens with a vivid shot of JB collecting a newspaper outside his abode, establishing the scene's ambiance. Subsequent scenes capture him at a familial dinner, where his father (Camp) comments on his ample "free time" due to unemployment. "Just listen, Mom. This is a colossal, life-altering opportunity for me," JB confides in his mother (Davis) in one clip, before transitioning to his presence within an art museum. Another snippet depicts him exchanging cash with two individuals in a parking lot, while his mother's voice continues in a haunting overlay, "But I'll need to rent a workspace and acquire tools, neither of which I possess."
Post-heist, two men descend upon JB's residence to confront him about his alleged involvement. "Look here, James. We've been informed you're entangled in this robbery," one man asserts, to which JB replies, "I have no clue how you arrived at this conclusion, but you're mistaken. It seems you've been fed some erroneous information."
The trailer culminates in a tense scene of JB meeting with two men, seemingly prepping for another caper. However, their preparations are abruptly halted when a woman inquiries about the presence of others in the basement. "The guys are here," JB asserts, to her casual reminder, "Hmm. Don't forget to secure the door."
"The Mastermind" premiered at the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered acclaim. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter's esteemed chief film critic, lauded Reichardt for fashioning a genre film devoid of clichés, instead electing to focus on character depth, human foibles, and the desperate lengths to which individuals resort amidst adversity.
