Con Artist Crime backdrop

Con Artist Crime movies

Long cons and layered deception: identity games, elaborate scams, and constant risk of exposure.

Bugonia

1. Bugonia

Science Fiction Thriller Comedy Con Artist Crime Alien Contact Sci-Fi
7.4

20251h 59min

Ireland, South Korea

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Themes

Biotech ethics, Capitalism and control, Corporate power critique, Conspiracy culture, Ecological crisis, Alien intervention, Power politics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Peacock Premium
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cruella

2. Cruella

Comedy Crime Adventure Dark Comedy Con Artist Crime
7.3

20212h 14min

United States

Director: Craig Gillespie

Smart and resourceful orphan Estella lives on the streets and engages in petty scams together with her friends. With a talent for fashion and a refined sense of style, she one day gets the chance to work at the fashion house of a powerful and ruthless designer.

Themes

Class inequality, Social climbing, Deception through disguise, Fashion as power, Rivalry and ambition, Spectacle and reputation

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Wolf of Wall Street

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

Crime Drama Comedy Con Artist Crime Satire
8.2

20133h

United States

Director: Martin Scorsese

Broker Jordan Belfort and his friend Donnie start their own brokerage firm. They make money selling penny stocks and blow it all on girls, alcohol, and drugs—until the FBI finally takes an interest in the company.

Themes

Risk and self-destruction, Wealth as performance, Deception and market manipulation, Ethics of money and power, Fame as addictive lure, Rise and fall dynamics

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Tinder Swindler

4. The Tinder Swindler

Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary Con Artist Crime
7.1

20221h 54min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Felicity Morris

Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, an Israeli conman wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.

Themes

Online dating deception, Financial manipulation through gifts, False persona construction, Threat-based coercion, Ponzi-scheme exploitation, Victim debt pressure

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

5. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Action Comedy Crime Satire Con Artist Crime
7.0

20221h 47min

United States

Director: Tom Gormican

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Nick Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.

Themes

Class inequality, Deception and manipulation, Moral compromise, Performative identity, Risk and loyalty, Organized crime and corruption, Commodification of fame

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bad Genius

6. Bad Genius

Drama Crime Thriller Comedy Con Artist Crime
7.6

20172h 10min

Thailand

Director: Nattawut Poonpiriya

Lynn, a brilliant student, after helping her friends to get the grades they need, develops the idea of starting a much bigger exam-cheating business.

Themes

Risk and improvisation, Deception and consequences, Academic pressure, Desire for privilege, Ethical boundaries in education, Peer manipulation and trust

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Nightmare Alley

7. Nightmare Alley

Crime Drama Thriller Con Artist Crime Mind Game Thriller
7.0

20212h 31min

United States

Director: Guillermo del Toro

An ambitious carnival man with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychologist who is even more dangerous than he is.

Themes

Power dynamics and control, Murder consequences, Tarot cards manipulation, Geek exploitation, Deception via carnival, Con artist ambition

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Sharper

8. Sharper

Thriller Crime Drama Domestic Thriller Con Artist Crime
6.7

20231h 55min

United States

Director: Benjamin Caron

A small, wealthy family in New York City gets progressively torn apart by secrets, lies, and the theft that orchestrates all of it.

Themes

Social climbing pressure, Trust and betrayal, Power and manipulation, Deception within partnerships, Wealth-driven deception, Appearances versus reality

Available on

Apple TV
Apple TV Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Wolfs

9. Wolfs

Crime Comedy Parody Con Artist Crime
6.5

20241h 48min

United States

Director: Jon Watts

Hired to cover up a high-profile crime, a fixer soon finds his night spiralling out of control when he's forced to work with an unexpected counterpart.

Themes

Deception and cover-up, Moral code under pressure, Crime networks and power, Professional ethics under strain, Collaboration under conflict, Loyalty under risk

Available on

Apple TV
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Best Offer

10. The Best Offer

Drama Romance Crime Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.8

20132h 11min

Italy

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

A strict and solitary auctioneer and antiques expert is contacted by a young woman who asks him to appraise her family’s antique collection, yet only ever speaks to him over the phone. As he continues his evaluation, he learns that she suffers from a rare condition that prevents her from being around strangers. Before long, the mystery surrounding her draws him in more than any antique ever could.

Themes

Auctioneer manipulation, Confidence game in art, Isolation and intimacy, Art world norms, Forgery and authenticity, Agoraphobia and enclosure

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.