Plot Summary
Penny, played by Rebel Wilson, is a small-time con artist operating in Australia. To attract unsuspecting young men like Jeremy, portrayed by Timothy Simons, she uses photos of her alluring “sister,” Madison, who is actually a fabricated character. When meeting these men under the guise of scouting for Madison, she cleverly requests $500, claiming it’s for a breast enlargement surgery to boost Madison’s self-esteem. Unfortunately, Penny finds herself pursued by law enforcement due to complaints from previous victims, prompting her to escape for a few weeks until the heat dies down.
Across the globe, we find Josephine, played by Anne Hathaway, a suave con artist who runs her schemes with a team, conning some of the world’s richest billionaires. Frequenting the glamorous casinos of the South of France, she pretends to have won an impressive lottery prize of $87 million. Her next target is a desperate Danish billionaire named Mathias, who has lost a fortune and is cut off from further credit. As she skillfully plays her hand, he hands her expensive jewelry in exchange for chips. However, her ruse is uncovered when the police inspector Brigitte, played by Ingrid Oliver, captures her in a staged arrest.
“Our idol is the legendary con artist Medusa, but her identity remains shrouded in mystery.”
Fate intertwines the lives of these two con artists as they encounter each other on a train journey to Beaumont-Sur-Mer. While Penny tries to charm a fellow passenger into paying for her dinner under the pretext of raising money for her kidnapped sister, Josephine shares her own tale of deception. Initially, Josephine tries to mislead Penny by describing Beaumont-Sur-Mer as a favorite spot for women seeking other women, directing her to ply her trade elsewhere. However, the next day, she is surprised to see Penny arrive with a billionaire named Gregor—a man she has been targeting.
Penny soon finds herself arrested under a scheme engineered by Josephine, who takes advantage of the situation by bailing her out with funds stolen from Penny herself. Josephine advises her to leave before the Russian mafia gets involved due to her association with Gregor. At the airport, Mathias confronts Penny, demanding the return of a valuable bracelet that she unknowingly possesses. This complicates matters as Penny realizes she has been outsmarted by Josephine, igniting a desire for revenge.
Determined to make amends, Penny approaches Josephine and requests to learn her con artist tricks. Expressing reluctance but recognizing she has no choice, Josephine agrees, leading to a series of humorous exploits as they con wealthy targets together. Under Josephine’s guidance, Penny adopts new personas and strategies, including posing as a blind girl in need of an expensive surgery.
Their rivalry escalates as their insecurities flare, leading them to compete against each other for the attention of Thomas Westerburg, played by Alex Sharp, a wealthy tech entrepreneur. Each woman devises elaborate ploys to outwit the other. Josephine, taking on the guise of a fake doctor, aims to debunk Penny’s act while Thomas remains blissfully unaware of the chaos around him.
Despite the competitive tension, Penny discovers her genuine feelings for Thomas as he expresses his dream of innovation, creating a bond that’s purely motivational. Amidst all the con and deceit, Thomas reveals he too is a con artist—with an ancestry tied to the infamous Medusa—and proposes that the three of them join forces to form an even more formidable team in the world of high-stakes deception.
Throughout this whirlwind of schemes, rivalries, and unexpected alliances, Penny and Josephine learn about the fine line between deception and trust, revealing that even in a world dominated by cons, genuine connections can emerge.
Timeline
Penny's Scheme Begins
Penny, a small-time con artist in Australia, starts her deceptive antics by using photos of her imaginary sister, Madison. She entices young men, eliciting $500 from them for supposed breast enlargement surgery to boost Madison's self-esteem.
Josephine's Glamorous Life
Across the globe, Josephine is seen operating in the glamorous casinos of the South of France. She condescendingly claims to have won a lottery worth $87 million and successfully targets a desperate Danish billionaire named Mathias.
Josephine's Arrest
While conning rich billionaires, Josephine's ruse is exposed by law enforcement, leading to a staged arrest orchestrated by the inspector Brigitte. This incident momentarily disrupts her high-flying lifestyle, but she manages to escape.
Meeting on the Train
Penny and Josephine first encounter each other on a train to Beaumont-Sur-Mer, where Penny is trying to convince a fellow passenger to pay for dinner for her 'kidnapped sister.' Josephine initially misleads her about the town's reputation, attempting to deter her from competing in the con game.
Penny Caught in a Trap
Josephine's manipulative streak comes to the forefront when she orchestrates Penny's arrest. She bails Penny out using funds stolen from her, warning her to flee before the Russian mafia comes after her because of Gregor.
Confrontation with Mathias
At the airport, Penny has an unsettling encounter with Mathias, who demands the return of a valuable bracelet. This confrontation makes Penny realize she has been cleverly outsmarted by Josephine, sparking feelings of revenge within her.
Penny Learns the Ropes
Determined to hone her craft, Penny approaches Josephine, asking to learn the tricks of the con artist trade. After some hesitation, Josephine agrees, leading them into a series of humorous cons targeting wealthy clientele.
Forming an Unlikely Alliance
As Penny and Josephine pull off cons together, their relationship becomes a blend of rivalry and camaraderie. They navigate the high-stakes world of deception while learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses.
The Competition Intensifies
Rivalries flare as Penny and Josephine vie for the affection of Thomas Westerburg, a wealthy tech entrepreneur. Each woman devises intricate schemes to outshine the other, leading to humorous and chaotic situations.
Discovering Genuine Feelings
In the midst of their competitive antics, Penny finds herself developing real feelings for Thomas, who inspires her with his innovative ideas. This emotional connection begins to blur the lines between deception and authenticity.
Thomas’s True Identity
Amidst the whirlwind of the cons, Thomas reveals his own secrets; he is a con artist himself, connected to the legendary con artist Medusa. He proposes a partnership among the three of them to tackle even bigger scams.
Learning from Each Other
Penny and Josephine continue to navigate their evolving partnership, sharing experiences and strategies as they con wealthy targets. Their relationship transforms as they learn about trust even in their deceitful world.
Final Confrontation
As their schemes come to a head, both women face consequences for their actions, including potential exposure and legal repercussions. They must rely on each other to navigate the fallout from their deceptive lifestyle.
Reevaluating Relationships
In the climax of the narrative, Penny and Josephine balance their friendship with their competitive instincts. They ultimately have to decide whether their bond is genuine or just another con.
Lessons Learned
As the story wraps up, both characters reflect on the fine line between trust and deception. They realize that amid their cons and schemes, true connections can emerge that hold more value than any con.
Characters
Penny Rust
Penny is a small-time con artist with a knack for deception, using her charm and creativity to manipulate those around her. Her pursuit of quick cash leads her into increasingly complicated situations, and her fierce determination and wit drive much of the film's humor. However, as she navigates her rivalry with Josephine, she discovers deeper feelings and a desire for a more meaningful connection.
Josephine Chesterfield
Josephine is a suave and sophisticated con artist with a talent for high-stakes scams against the wealthy elite. Her confidence and charm allow her to manipulate influential targets effortlessly. Throughout her encounters with Penny, she reveals layers of insecurity and ambition, showcasing the challenges of maintaining trust in a world filled with deceit.
Thomas Westerburg
Thomas is a wealthy tech entrepreneur, oblivious to the con artists' schemes around him. His innovative dreams attract both Penny and Josephine, sparking their rivalry. Under his charm, he is revealed to have a conning lineage, complicating his relationships with the two women. Thomas is the catalyst for both conflict and a potential alliance in the world of deception.
Setting
Time period
The contemporary setting of 'The Hustle' reflects a modern world intertwined with technology and social media, where con artists can exploit the digital landscape. The narrative revolves around current societal themes of wealth, deception, and the intricate connections we forge in our lives.
Location
Australia, South of France, Beaumont-Sur-Mer
The movie takes place in Australia, where Penny conducts her scams, and the glamorous South of France, known for its luxury casinos and affluent clientele. Beaumont-Sur-Mer serves as a picturesque backdrop where the two con artists intersect, highlighting the contrasts between their conning styles and ambitions.
Themes
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Deception
The central theme of deception is pervasive throughout the film, showcasing the various ways that both Penny and Josephine manipulate those around them. Their cons reveal how desperation can lead to unethical behavior, highlighting the lengths individuals will go to in pursuit of wealth. Ultimately, the film explores the blurry lines between trust and betrayal.
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Friendship
Amidst the rivalry, a complex friendship emerges between Penny and Josephine. Initially adversaries, they recognize the potential of collaboration as they learn from each other's conning techniques. Their journey unveils the importance of companionship, illustrating that even in deception, genuine connections can be formed.
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