Hull Independent Cinema – The Mastermind

​​​​Hull Independent Cinema presents… The Mastermind

Dir Kelly Reichardt | USA, UK | 2025 | 110 mins | Rated 12A | English, French

In a sedate Massachusetts suburb in 1970, unemployed family man, failed architect and amateur art thief James Blaine Mooney comes up with a bold plan to steal from a local art museum. With the museum cased and accomplices recruited, everything is in place, But stealing four paintings in broad daylight turns out to be easier than holding on to them and, Mooney is forced into a life on the run as the Police and FBI close in. A piercing portrait of a life collapsing under the weight of greed and ambition, powered by a superb central performance from Josh O’Connor.

Starring Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Bill Camp

Watch the trailer on Youtube

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Cannes: Nominee, Palme d'Or

Valladolid Int'l FF: Winner, Best Film, Best Cinematography

Gotham Awards: Nominee, Best Film, Best Lead Performance

Ghent Int'l FF: Nominee, Best Film

REVIEWS

"This is magnetic, compulsively watchable work from O’Connor, who is shaping up to be one of the finest actors of his generation." Wendy Ide, The Observer

"This is O’Connor at his finest yet, and The Mastermind is the slinkiest, most satisfying piece of “mood cinema” you’re likely to have seen for a long while." ★★★★★ Nick Howells, London Standard

"The steal is managed with fine-tuned suspense: coolly, precisely edited by Reichardt herself and set to Rob Mazurek’s taut, urbane jazz score." ★★★★★ Jonathan Romney, Financial Times

"Reichardt, with her regular cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt, has a wonderful way of staging scenes that feel sparse and warm at the very same time." ★★★★ Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent

ACCESSIBILITY

Subtitles

This film will be presented with Descriptive Subtitles. In addition to reproducing dialogue, these subtitles include additional non-dialogue sounds available to a hearing audience, e.g. "(sighs)" or "(door creaks)" and song lyrics. In our experience, guests do not find the subtitles distracting, especially as the majority of our films are subtitled foreign language films. Hull Independent Cinema is working towards making our films more accessible. We have decided to present all our films with Descriptive Subtitles where available.

AGE RATING

THE MASTERMIND is rated 12A. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please see the film's page on the BBFC website.

Programme Details

The café will be open before the show, so why not come along early to grab a drink and a snack?

The programme run time includes an allowance for introductions and up to three trailers. While we will endeavour to accommodate latecomers, this may not always be possible. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse entry, without a refund, to anyone arriving after the advertised start time.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop us a line at hello@hullindependentcinema.com or on social media.