The Hustle (2019)
Film · Comedy, Crime
Stream it, ifif you want a light, low-stakes comedy that prioritises slapstick over original storytelling.
A broad, slapstick-heavy remake that relies on the comedic chemistry between its two leads to carry a very familiar plot. It is light, predictable, and purely intended for easy laughs rather than intellectual engagement or surprises.
What it is about
Two female scam artists, one low rent and the other high class, compete to swindle a naïve tech prodigy out of his fortune. A remake of the 1988 comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
Trailer
What The Hustle is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film is a fast-paced and brightly lit experience, driven by high-energy performances. It leans heavily into physical comedy, frequently playing on the stark juxtaposition between high-society refinement and crude, chaotic energy. The intensity remains consistently low, as the narrative focuses on playful deception and costume-heavy antics rather than building any genuine criminal tension or high-stakes drama.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a film for those who enjoy Rebel Wilson’s signature boisterous humour or viewers seeking a gender-flipped take on a classic premise. Those who prefer witty, subtle scripts or are protective of the 1988 original should probably skip it. The primary caveat is that the script adheres very closely to its source material, offering very few narrative surprises for anyone already familiar with the story.
The right evening for it
It suits a casual night in when you want something colourful and undemanding. It is the kind of entertainment that works best when you do not wish to engage in deep concentration.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official Trailer
How The Hustle leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to feel mildly amused and entirely unburdened. It leaves a sugary, ephemeral impression that fades quickly, offering a sense of harmless, brightly coloured diversion rather than lasting impact.
How The Hustle ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
After Josephine and Penny realise that Thomas has conned them both out of $500,000, he reveals via text message that he is actually the legendary con artist Medusa. A fortnight later, as Penny prepares to leave Josephine's home, Thomas reappears in the middle of a new scheme targeting wealthy tourists. He invites the two women to join forces with him, and they reluctantly agree on the condition that they are paid the first $2,000,000 they earn together.
The film ends with the trio successfully committing a con during the Christmas holidays. The new partnership proves fruitful as the group gets along, and Penny and Thomas resume their romantic relationship. A post-credits scene shows the two women performing one of their earlier engagement ring scams.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
The Heat (2013)
the dynamic between a refined professional and a chaotic outsider
Heartbreakers (2001)
glamorous female con artists working together to swindle wealthy targets
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More clips
Teaser · #1 Comedy
Clip · Penny & Josephine Team Up
Clip · I'm a Con Artist
The Hustle soundtrack
Music by Anne Dudley
Questions people ask
- Is The Hustle a funny film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Funny. A broad, slapstick-heavy remake that relies on the comedic chemistry between its two leads to carry a very familiar plot. It is light, predictable, and purely intended for easy laughs rather than intellectual engagement or surprises.
- How long is The Hustle?
- The Hustle runs 94 min and was released in 2019.
- Where can I watch The Hustle in Australia?
- In Australia, The Hustle is included with MGM Amazon Channel.
- Who composed the music for The Hustle?
- The music for The Hustle is by Anne Dudley.
- Is The Hustle worth watching?
- It depends: if you want a light, low-stakes comedy that prioritises slapstick over original storytelling. IMDb users rate it 5.5 out of 10 from 71,146 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 13%, Metacritic 35 and TMDB users 6.2.
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