The Hustle 2019

In the midst of a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, two cunning con artists find themselves inextricably linked on a winding train journey through the picturesque French countryside. Penny (Rebel Wilson), a small-time scoundrel from Australia, has been laying low after a string of misadventures left her with a wanted poster hanging over her head. She’s trying to lay low and let things cool down back home, but the allure of easy prey proves too great, and she finds herself posing as a concerned sibling, angling for cash and sympathy from unsuspecting marks.

Meanwhile, Josephine (Anne Hathaway), a sophisticated operator with a network of loyal accomplices at her beck and call, has been working the high-stakes tables in the South of France. With a reputation for being able to talk her way out of any predicament, she’s built a reputation as a master manipulator, always staying one step ahead of the law. Her latest scheme involves charming Danish billionaire Mathias (Casper Christensen) into parting with his valuables, all under the guise of being a novice gambler.

As fate would have it, Penny and Josephine find themselves sharing a train compartment en route to the French Riviera. Initially, they’re wary of each other’s intentions, but as the night wears on, they begin to open up, bonding over their shared experiences as con artists. Josephine takes Penny under her wing, offering sage advice and a crash course in high-stakes thievery.

However, their budding friendship is put to the test when Penny reveals her plans to target the same mark that Josephine had been eyeing - Gregor, a wealthy playboy with deep pockets and a penchant for getting taken. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of Beaumont-Sur-Mer, it becomes clear that these two con artists are not going to let each other get in their way, even if it means having to outwit, outmaneuver, or outcon each other along the way.

As a cunning scheme unfolds, Penny finds herself behind bars, courtesy of a bogus arrest orchestrated by Josephine. But this calculated ruse was merely a precursor to a more sinister plan, designed to intimidate Penny into abandoning her home turf. Josephine’s cleverness knows no bounds, and she takes advantage of the situation by posting bail, but only after extracting $8000 from Penny’s meager funds under the guise of “bribery.” The con artist’s intentions are clear: she wants to scare Penny away for good, and Gregor, a wealthy businessman with ties to the Russian mafia, is merely her pawn.

However, Josephine’s plans take an unexpected turn when Mathias confronts Penny on the plane, demanding the return of his valuable bracelet. This prized possession, worth a staggering $500,000, has become the linchpin in his marriage, and its loss has sparked his wife’s decision to file for divorce. As Mathias probes Penny about Josephine’s involvement, it becomes clear that he is not the only one who has been duped by this master manipulator.

Penny, initially oblivious to the true nature of her situation, soon discovers she has been played and her anger simmers just below the surface. Seeking revenge against the woman who has wronged her, Penny returns to town and demands Josephine’s tutelage, threatening to expose her if she refuses. Reluctantly, Josephine agrees, taking Penny under her wing and teaching her the art of deception.

As a protege, Penny learns the physical and psychological nuances of being a female con artist, and her skills quickly improve. However, when Josephine uses these newfound talents to ensnare Howard, a wealthy Texan, by pretending to be a bankrupt Royal Princess, Penny begins to feel like she’s simply a pawn in Josephine’s game.

The duo’s conning escapades continue unabated, with Josephine introducing her “insane” sister Hortence and exploiting the tradition of the younger sister claiming the groom. But when Howard flees, leaving behind his expensive ring, it becomes clear that Penny is not just a mere apprentice – she’s a force to be reckoned with.

As tensions rise, Penny decides to strike out on her own, cutting into Josephine’s schemes and luring victims away from her mentor’s grasp. The two women engage in a series of escalating competitions, each attempting to outdo the other in a battle of wits. Their rivalry culminates in a high-stakes game, where they both target Thomas Westerburg, a wealthy technology wizard with a $500,000 fortune hanging in the balance. The loser will be forced to leave the country for good, but only time will tell who will emerge victorious from this cat-and-mouse game of deception and cunning.

Penny, a woman with a unique psychological condition that renders her blind, finds herself in a precarious situation. She requires a substantial sum of $500,000 to undergo corrective surgery, which can only be performed by the elusive Dr. Schafhausen. Unbeknownst to Penny, Josephine has infiltrated the French Riviera under the guise of Dr. Schafhausen, who is coincidentally on holiday. Thomas, empathetic towards Penny’s plight, urges Josephine to take up her case and use her cunning to manipulate Penny into revealing the truth about her condition.

As the charade unfolds, Josephine employs every trick in her arsenal to torment Penny in front of Thomas, attempting to shatter her facade. Meanwhile, Dr. Schafhausen advises Thomas not to provide Penny with any financial assistance, as this would inadvertently validate her disability and render treatment ineffective. Thomas, oblivious to the machinations at play, continues to navigate the situation with naivety.

In a bid to shock Penny into confessing, Josephine resorts to an array of unorthodox tactics, including blowing in her face, making her consume questionable edibles, pretending to strike her with her own cane, and subjecting her to physical exhaustion. However, as Penny begins to develop feelings for Thomas, she becomes increasingly enthralled by his entrepreneurial spirit and their shared ambition to create a revolutionary application.

Thomas confides in Penny that he has secured $1 million in seed funding for his existing application and is willing to borrow $100,000 from his grandmother to aid her cause. Moved by his generosity, Penny agrees to invest $500,000 in Thomas’s company, unaware of the deception that awaits her. That night, Josephine attempts to seduce Thomas, only to be thwarted when he sends her to the shower and robs her before locking her in his room.

As the dust settles, Thomas makes off with the money, revealing himself to be a con artist. He is none other than the grandson of notorious swindler Medusa. In a stunning twist, Thomas proposes that Penny and Josephine join forces to form an unstoppable con collective. The stage is set for a thrilling adventure as these three characters navigate the world of high-stakes deception and cunning.