Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Documentary has language, drugs, domestic abuse references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Painter and the Thief
What's the Story?
In THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF, artist Barbora Kysilkova has two of her paintings stolen from a gallery, and becomes intrigued by the story behind the crime. When she meets one of the thieves, Karl Bertil-Nordland, she asks him to pose for her and the two form an unlikely bond that will keep them tethered to each other on a deeper level than either of them ever imagined.
Is It Any Good?
Director Benjamin Ree struck gold with this fascinating, emotive, borderline unbelievable story that emerges from the simple, if unexpected setup of a painter and a thief. The Painter and the Thief is a rare example of real-life experience with all the ups and downs, emotional highs and lows, and unexpected plot twists of the most manipulative of fictional narratives. Yet it all unfolds naturally before our eyes without gimmicks or heavy-handed production. The two characters at the center are so complex and layered, even at the end, when they've been slowly peeled for 106 minutes, there's a sense of so much more to tell and even more to come. What begins as two very different subjects, morphs and flows to show the gravitational pull to each other, to darkness, destruction, obsession, and addiction, but also to childishness, fearlessness, awe, and gratitude that ultimately makes this a story of healing and redemption -- a meditation on the power of truly seeing and being seen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way The Painter and the Thief approaches the subject of criminality. Did it express an opinion or judgment on Karl's criminal past? How did Barbora's treatment of Karl effect this portrayal? Was your opinion of Karl or his actions influenced by the way Barbora and the filmmaker approached the subject?
People in the film showed curiosity, empathy, and compassion. Why are these important character strengths? What role do you think they played in how the events and the central relationship evolved in the documentary?
What role did drinking, smoking, and drug use play in the documentary? Were they glamorized? What were some of the results of this behavior?
The film moved backwards and forwards in time on a few occasions. What effect did you think the structure had on telling the story? Can you think of other documentaries that have used different narrative devices to frame true events? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 22, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : May 22, 2020
- Cast : Barbora Kysilkova , Karl Bertil-Nordland , Øystein Stene
- Director : Benjamin Ree
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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