Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

The Thief Collector

Released May 19, 2023 1h 33m Documentary Crime List
91% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
It was one of the most audacious and puzzling art thefts of a generation; In 1985, Willem de Kooning's seminal work, "Woman Ochre," was sliced from it's frame and stolen from the walls of an Arizona art museum, disappearing into the desert. Over thirty years later, in a remote town in New Mexico, the $160 million dollar painting was rediscovered in the unlikeliest of places.
Watch on Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Thief Collector

The Thief Collector

What to Know

Critics Consensus

An effortlessly engaging true-crime documentary, The Thief Collector reaffirms that reality can be stranger than fiction -- and sometimes just as entertaining.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (44) Critics Reviews
Nell Minow AWFJ.org We often speak of a “who done it” as though the answer to the mystery is simply the identity of the person committing the crime. But ​The Thief Collector entreatingly and insightfully shows us that is just the beginning of the story. Aug 5, 2023 Full Review Noel Murray Los Angeles Times Allison Otto’s snappy documentary “The Thief Collector” ponders how and why the Alters got away with their one famous crime — and perhaps many more. May 18, 2023 Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian If nothing else, this documentary ought to give someone working in television the idea of making a detective series about house clearance experts. Rated: 3/5 Mar 29, 2023 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) It’s got a breezy touch as it makes its way through the labyrinthine story of the painting and how it intersects with the twisted life of the Alters May 17, 2024 Full Review Tim Miller Cape Cod Wave Magazine A Willem de Kooning painting stolen decades earlier from an art museum is discovered hidden in the home of Jerry and Rita Alter after they’ve died. ... in this compellingly offbeat true-life crime documentary. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 17, 2023 Full Review Linda Cook OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois) You can't make this stuff up. Rated: 4 stars Sep 15, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Michael H A solid documentary about a big heist perpetrated by a genuinely bizarre couple living in nowhere, New Mexico. Re-enactments (which often are dopey and boring) here are witty and tongue-in-cheek. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/04/23 Full Review Adam G An extraordinary, stranger-than-fiction story that must be seen to be believed. I loved this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/23 Full Review anna w Interesting story but it felt like they were making a 30 minute story into a movie. Repetitive interviews that weren't adding much. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/26/23 Full Review StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 33 minutes of real criminals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/21/23 Full Review Ellen G The documentary was an interesting subject but the direction and production seemed amateurish. Many of the interviews were dull. Unfortunate it was not in better hands. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Thief Collector

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
The Dissident 96% 82% The Dissident TRAILER for The Dissident I Didn't See You There 97% % I Didn't See You There Portrait of Wally 90% 74% Portrait of Wally Carpet Cowboys 93% % Carpet Cowboys TRAILER for Carpet Cowboys The Cove 95% 94% The Cove Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All The Thief Collector photos

The Thief Collector

The Thief Collector (2022) The Thief Collector (2022) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis It was one of the most audacious and puzzling art thefts of a generation; In 1985, Willem de Kooning's seminal work, "Woman Ochre," was sliced from it's frame and stolen from the walls of an Arizona art museum, disappearing into the desert. Over thirty years later, in a remote town in New Mexico, the $160 million dollar painting was rediscovered in the unlikeliest of places.
Director
Allison Otto
Producer
Caryn Capotosto, Jill Latiano, Joshua A. Kunau
Screenwriter
Mark Monroe, Nick Andert
Distributor
FilmRise
Production Co
XTR, Diamond Docs, Roots Productions, Museum & Crane
Genre
Documentary, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 19, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 19, 2023
Runtime
1h 33m
Most Popular at Home Now