Overview

• Kelly Reichardt's film 'The Mastermind' debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, earning a 5.5- to 8-minute standing ovation during its premiere screening.
• The story, set in 1970 suburban Massachusetts, follows JB Mooney, an unemployed carpenter turned amateur art thief, played by Josh O’Connor.
• The film explores themes of ambition, failure, and domestic unraveling, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and shifting cultural dynamics.
• Mubi has acquired distribution rights for select territories, including North America, the UK, and Germany, while The Match Factory is handling international sales.
• Critics have praised the film's genre subversion, ensemble cast, and attention to period detail, with O’Connor’s performance receiving particular acclaim.