Perpetually ahead of the crowd, queer audiences have been following straight actor Josh O’Connor’s rising career trajectory for almost 10 years, when he played a gay farmer in 2017’s “God’s Own County.” This was followed by other queer roles in “Challengers” and “The History of Sound.” O’Connor has also been fortunate to work with some incredible directors including Stephen Frears, Julia Jackman, Luca Guadagnino, Steven Spielberg, and Rian Johnson.
Now available on DVD, 2025’s “The Mastermind” (Mubi) finds O’Connor working with another acclaimed filmmaker, Kelly Reichardt (“First Cow” and “Wendy and Lucy”). With “The Mastermind,” Reichardt continues the fascination she showed with art and artists in 2022’s “Showing Up.”
When we first encounter unemployed art school dropout James (O’Connor), he is at the Framingham Art Museum. Alternating between keeping an eye on the sleeping security guard and researching the way a series of Arthur Dove paintings are hung in the gallery; James is clearly up to something. It’s 1970, and the level of anti-theft deterrents, including something as simple as bag-check, aren’t what they are in 2026. James keeps returning to the museum, even bringing his wife Terri (Alana Haim) and two young sons with him on one occasion.
James, the titular “mastermind,” enlists two men -- Guy (Eli Gelb) and Larry (out actor Cole Doman) -- to assist him. Larry backs out at the last minute and is replaced by loose cannon Ronnie (Javion Allen). Despite a few complications, the crime goes off without a hitch. James maintains a calm exterior with his family, including at dinner with his mother Sarah (Hope Davis) and his father William (Bill Camp), a renowned retired judge.
The heist becomes front page news with a $2k reward being offered for the return of the stolen art. Meanwhile, shortly after James relocates the stolen goods to a loft in a barn, Ronnie is apprehended and is naming names. James keeps his cool when questioned by a pair of detectives who change their tone with him when they discover who his father is. Word gets out to a trio of thugs about James’ involvement, and they abduct him and he takes them to where the paintings are stashed.
James’ world rapidly unravels and he sends Terri and the boys to his parents’ house. He leaves town and drops in on former classmates Fred (John Magaro) and Maude (Gaby Hoffmann of “Transparent” fame). Maude doesn’t approve of James being there and tells him he must go. His next stop is Cleveland to see other friends, but he missed them by a day. After arriving in Cincinnati, and running low on funds, James steals an elderly woman’s purse and then attempts to blend in with an anti-war protest taking over the streets. It is there, ironically, that he is arrested. Not for the art theft, but for being involved in the protest.
It makes sense that a movie about art (theft) would look as stylized as “The Mastermind.” Additionally, the movie has many of Reichardt’s trademarks including characters living on the fringe of societal norms, political expression, long stretches with minimal dialogue, and a lurking sense of disaster. Reichardt fans will likely enjoy “The Mastermind,” while others may be left scratching their heads.
Rating: B
