MUBI Announces The Streaming Date For The Josh O’Connor Thriller, The Mastermind
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Carl Roberts 
Written and directed by Kelly Reichardt and starring Josh O’Connor, The Mastermind will be streaming exclusively on MUBI this holiday season.
MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company, is proud to announce that the latest film from US auteur Kelly Reichardt (First Cow, Showing Up), The Mastermind, will be available to stream exclusively on MUBI from 12 December. The film stars Josh O’Connor (Challengers, La Chimera). Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza). John Magaro (Past Lives, First Cow). Gaby Hoffmann (Transparent, Girls). Bill Camp (12 Years a Slave, Joker) and Hope Davis (American Splendor, Synecdoche, New York). The film made its debut in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Moreover, Reichardt has earned a Best Director nomination. Josh O’Connor has also been nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Film Awards.
THE PREMISE
In a sedate Massachusetts suburb circa 1970, unemployed family man and amateur art thief J.B Mooney sets out on his first heist. With the museum cased and accomplices recruited, he has an airtight plan. Or so he thinks. Rich in textured detail, this sly depiction of an era subverts long-held illusions and confronts disillusionment.
THE MASTERMIND MUBI EDITIONS BOOK
Coming in February 2026, The Mastermind from MUBI Editions arrives as a beautifully designed box set. It comprises four booklets that document the making of Reichardt’s 2025 film. Through personal reflections, photographs, and fragments of memory and ephemera, Reichardt and her collaborators offer an intimate look into the craft, camaraderie, and attention to detail that shaped the project.
The collection features:
A critical essay by Lucy Sante
An exploration of artist Arthur Dove by Alec MacKaye of the Phillips Collection
Exclusive production photography
Striking reproductions of Dove’s work
Together, the materials build a richly textured portrait of the film’s world and its meticulous period design.
The Mastermind is the inaugural title in the MUBI Editions “Lights!” series, dedicated to MUBI’s own productions and releases. It follows Read Frame Type Film, the first book in the “Projections” series, published in 2025. The book can be pre-ordered here.
CRITICAL NOTICES
The film has received many positive reviews, with notices such as:
“Dazzling. A new American gem. Enlivened by the spirit of 70s cinema.” ELLE
“Gorgeously moody. This is Josh O’Connor at his finest yet.” ★★★★★
The London Standard
“Ingenious. Brilliantly turns the genre on its head.” Sight & Sound
“Utterly distinctive and exciting” ★★★★
The Guardian
The Independent ★★★★
Little White Lies ★★★★
The Irish Times ★★★★
The Arts Desk ★★★★★
“Quietly superb” ★★★★★
We recently saw the film at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. Sadly, we didn’t share in the critical acclaim. Our editor, Phil Roberts, said this about the film:
Sadly, Kelly Reichardt’s #TheMastermind is an artistic road to nowhere. While I admire the director’s vision and the performance of Josh O’Connor, it fails to deliver anything of conviction.
This timepiece stutters with a self-contained, hollow story with aimless nuance. #LFF
I myself had this to say about the film:
# The Mastermind is a stylish but ultimately empty two-hour road to nowhere.
Josh O’Connor once again proves he is a superb talent, but the material he has here lets him down.
More style over substance.
#BFI #LFF
Make up your own minds about the film when The Mastermind premieres exclusively on MUBI on December 12th.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
