The Mastermind (2025)

Directed by Kelly Reichardt. Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Please RSVP on Meetup if you plan to attend! Reserve your ticket in advance at the link below. We'll meet at the entrance to the movie theater at 20:00. The screening begins at 20:30.

Kelly Reichardt’s take on an unconventional art heist unfolds as a quiet road movie. This skillful blend of genres earned the director widespread praise at Cannes last year.

Massachusetts, 1970: James Blaine “JB” Mooney (Josh O’Connor) is a carpenter by trade, but currently unemployed. To support his family, he plans a heist at the local art museum. After scouting the location and practicing a bit, everything seems ready. But when he sets out with his colleagues, a few surprises arise. Soon, JB is in the car, fleeing north.

Kelly Reichardt’s latest film also fits perfectly into the “The New New Frontier” retrospective. The carefully composed, laconic genre blend of heist film and road movie invites repeated viewings: no shot seems random, and together with the actors’ understated performances, a focused narrative emerges that, with its subtle humor, repeatedly references the present. Once again, Reichardt has succeeded in creating an intelligent and fascinating reimagining of classic genres.

Source: Xenix

Please reserve your ticket online in advance to secure your spot. Seats cannot be reserved online, so we will coordinate seating arrangements at the theater before the screening. It's important to arrive early to pick up your tickets, so please be at Xenix by 20:00 at the latest. After the movie, we'll gather in the Xenix bar for a beverage and discussion of the film.