🎠Directed by Benjamin Caron | Starring Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, John Lithgow, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton
Sharper is a taut, meticulously crafted psychological thriller that invites viewers into a world where nothing is what it seems—and everyone is playing someone else. Set amid the sleek, glassy facades of Manhattan’s ultra-wealthy elite, the film explores the art of the con with style, restraint, and a masterful sense of pacing.
Structured around a nonlinear narrative, the story unfolds in segmented chapters—each revealing the perspective of a different character, peeling back layers of a high-stakes grift that interlocks their lives. The film opens with Tom (Justice Smith), a soft-spoken bookstore owner who falls for Sandra (Briana Middleton), a charming yet enigmatic woman. Their romance seems genuine until she vanishes—along with a large sum of Tom’s money.

The narrative then rewinds and redirects, introducing Madeline (Julianne Moore), a refined and calculating woman in a relationship with billionaire Richard Hobbes (John Lithgow), and Max (Sebastian Stan), a dangerously smooth con artist. As their histories intersect, the audience begins to see the web of manipulation, emotional exploitation, and calculated betrayals that connect all five characters.
The film’s brilliance lies in its careful control of information. Every twist recontextualizes the one before it, making viewers question what they’ve seen and whom they can trust. Benjamin Caron’s direction is elegant and assured, channeling the mood of neo-noir thrillers while delivering a sharply modern aesthetic. The moody score and sleek cinematography reinforce the sense of lurking danger beneath opulent surfaces.
Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan shine brightest, embodying the seductive charm and cold calculation of high-level grifters. But each actor adds weight to their roles, creating a layered ensemble where motives shift like shadows.
At its core, Sharper is less about the con and more about the characters—how trauma, ego, and ambition fuel their decisions. It’s a story about masks: which ones we wear, which ones we fall for, and who has the cunning to take theirs off last.
Stylish, suspenseful, and smart, Sharper is a film that rewards close attention and rewards even more with its final, satisfying reveal. A must-watch for fans of cerebral thrillers and sophisticated deception.