Josh O'Connor Stars in Kelly Reichardt's Heist Film 'The Mastermind' at Cannes

Kelly Reichardt's 'The Mastermind' premiered in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film stars Josh O'Connor as JB Mooney, an unemployed carpenter who becomes an amateur art thief in 1970s Massachusetts. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and feminist movements, the story follows Mooney as he exploits lax security at a provincial museum to plan his first heist with a bumbling crew. The film subverts expectations of a simple robbery narrative, focusing instead on the protagonist's fragility as a metaphor for a disillusioned America. Alongside O'Connor, the cast includes Alana Haim and Hope Davis. This marks Reichardt's second time competing at Cannes, following 'First Cow.' The film is noted for its quiet, countercurrent style typical of Reichardt's work, which explores the American experience through working-class characters in provincial communities.