User reviews

Novelist Christine Wilde is struggling with her latest book. Unable to write she starts to notice strange things going on around her. People are acting strangely and she feels compelled to get to the bottom of it. In the process she uncovers a plot, involving mind control experiments, which put her in danger of being killed or becoming a killer!

I thought this was rather fun. It probably helped that I had no real idea what to expect. Early on a light tone is set with comic moments; the way our protagonist writes while hanging upside-down from the ceiling tells us this isn't going to be too serious. Once the mystery starts it is intriguing and far from obvious what is going on... has she discovered a conspiracy, is she imagining things or is it something else altogether? The cast, led by Angelique Pretorius as Christine do a solid job, keeping the balance of humour and drama just the right side of being silly. While there are some moments of violence they aren't too disturbing, in fact some are done in a way more likely to elicit laughs than shock. Overall I thought this was a decent film; not a must watch but I thought it passed the time well enough.

I first watched the trailer for this and found it kind of intriguing, but then I looked at the user reviews. At the time of writing this, there are only 17 other user reviews, and of that, ten of them were 9 or 10 out of ten, and three of them were 1 or 2 out of ten. That seemed a little odd, like the production crew was giving it all 9s and 10s, and then some other faction was purposely rating it low. So I wanted to see for myself what was really going on.

Based on the trailer, I figured this would be a fun movie, and it was. While there are plot holes and questionable acting by some, there's also a decent, unique mystery with some twists, making this film exactly what I thought it would be... A fun film, that was a pleasant way to spend some time on a quiet day.

For the most part, the lead actors were fine. The characters were a bit cartoonish, but again, you can see that in the trailer, so if you go into the film from that mindset, you're good. I'm sure there's going to be someone out there who says they saw every move coming and figured everything out, but I'd have a hard time believing them because the story was odd and definitely original.

Again, the film's surely is not a 10 out of 10 like so many of the first reviews state. (In cases like this, it always seems that the first reviews have to be written by either production crew or a PR firm. There's no way there can be that many perfect scores in a row.) But it's way more than a 1 out of 10 like some other reviewers state. Sit back, let yourself enjoy getting caught up in the ridiculousness of the story, and you should be fine.

Blown away! The acting is fantastic and there are so many details to notice along the way. I felt like a detective trying to sort it out and was surprised at every turn of the plot. My wife and I were both riveted all the way through. The main actress, Angelique Pretorius, was stunning and incredible in every scene, somehow managing to be simultaneously funny and fierce. Truly, every actor was fantastic and each managed to surprise me with the turns and twists of the plot and within the character development. As soon as it was over I wanted to watch it again! I love dark sci-fi thrillers and this is at the top of my list. Fantastic film, highly recommend!

Hello! What a brilliant cast and incredible story telling by all.

It is rare that a film can combine genres so easily being comedic in moments but also keeping you on the edge of your seat. It reflects in a very accessible way, deeper issues that we deal with in day to day life where we are thieved by our ever evolving technologies and highjacked by our own pleasure.

The score is balanced and adds the perfect touch to what could've been unnecessary drama.

The film is well cast and Angelique P is a STAR.

Right until the very end you are kept guessing as to what will be the fate of all the characters.

Watching *Mind Thief* was truly an experience- mostly because it's hard to erase the memory of such an ambitious attempt at filmmaking and if you enjoy a film where the main mystery is how it got made. The cinematography had an endearingly 'homemade' quality, and the dramatic music? Well, it certainly let you know when something *important* was happening, even if the actors forgot to. The soaring strings and thunderous percussion played with such intensity that I half expected the cast to break into an operatic finale at any moment. My boyfriend left after 15 minutes of watching, the only mystery for me was why I watched it to the end? Life to short!

I was intrigued by the story, and given the IMDb rating (8.2 as I write..), I really thought I was about to watch a masterpiece. But as the film unfolded (at a very slow pace), I realized it was a budget production and adjusted my expectations, trying to be more curious and forgiving on certain aspects such as cinematography.

That said, I was bored 25 minutes in and remained bored until the end - which I only watched because I secretly hoped some brilliant twist would justify the rest. But no, everything felt off: the writing, the plot, the acting, even the way it was shot looked amateurish (something I usually never comment on). Some lines landed so flat they reminded me of poorly dubbed foreign films, where the mismatch between dialogue and facial expressions creates an uncomfortable disconnect.

I really wish I had something positive or encouraging to say, but I genuinely did not enjoy anything in this movie. Had I gone in expecting an IMDb rating of 3 or 4 out of 10 (though, in all fairness, I never watch those films), I might - maybe - have been more forgiving. But here we are. Sorry, it is simply not that interesting. No more, no less.

Many reviews of this film on IMDB are fake; same date, only one review from the author. This is for both the good and bad reviews.

What starts off as a Hallmark-esque sunny romp, slowly but surely leads to darker waters. And the end is quite unexpected and a bit disturbing.

Well acted, well filmed, despite the obvious budget restrictions, and competently delivered. There are a few weak performances, but they do not detract from the overall experience.

While it's no masterpiece, it does what it does well, and does not pretend to be anything other than a comedic murder mystery.

Sunday afternoon on the sofa.

I cannot believe I wasted my time watching this piece of rubbish. It starts with a female author who has a mind block writing her novel (totally unoriginal). Random ridiculous things happen as if the director is trying to make it interesting - but it failed as the whole thing is ridiculous. The mastermind character is really irritating. In fact the whole movie is irritating with no plot and it just drifts from one ridiculous scene to the next. All the characters are cardboard cut-outs. Don't waste your time watching this rubbish as you won't be any wiser for it. I am struggling to right any more about this B-Movie.

I got to see this film at the Ojai film festival. I thought the story was engrossing and the mystery element kept me guessing. Mind Thief is the ultimate thriller that, true to its title, keeps your mind captive to its plot. Supported by a strong cast, the lead actress is captivating as an acrobatic author afflicted by writer's block. You really feel like you're in her shoes. It's a very compelling sci-fi thriller with dark comedy elements. It delves into themes of psychology about systems of control, both mentally and physically. This gets broken up by moments of humour, providing rich entertainment value.

First the movie poster, a creative, but weird, cartoon, gave no clue as to what movie was about. I had never seen Angelique Pristorious before, and at first thought the lead actress was Mischa Barton. But wow, Angelique was great. And saw afterward that Angeliqu also wrote the movie. Her humor made the character a combination of air-head, but with common sense. A unique combination. Also Angelique was great at the physical comedy/stunts. And Angelique is H-O-T. Yes, suspend disbelief, but was fun not knowing who was good or bad. This movie is ripe for a sequel. As most of the characters, both good and bad survive.

Most of the actors were new to me. Which also lead to some suspense.

I saw this in theaters during a premiere and wow!! I didn't know what to expect but I was blown away. This film keeps you guessing at every turn. The cinematography is impressive, the writing impeccable, it's just so well done. What I love is that you think you understand what's going on, until something new gets thrown into the mix.

Mind Thief is extremely unique and special and you have to enjoy being confused to love this film. Part of the charm is how quirky the characters are!

I love a film that makes me laugh, and cringe, and go "huh??" overall it's a fun and mind bending film so if you're looking for a new favorite, try Mind Theif!

I immediately felt I was watching a star (Angelique) in a modern-day Hitchcock film. There's a lightness, deftness of touch that permeated the film, from the camera work, the color grading, the voice over, and the superb acting. At some points I felt - possibly because of the powerful score - that I was watching a Bond film, and unfortunately Bond-level shenanigans just aren't possible on a minimalistic budget. If I had one wish or hope for this film, it would be that I soon get to watch it again at home on one of the major streamers - it deserves its place. If I have one hope for these filmmakers, it is that their next film has a bigger budget! I want to see whatever they do next, and know they'll knock it out of the park. Truly wonderful job.

This film grabbed me from the start and had my brain working the whole time! The lead was so much fun to watch! Star level performances from this cast left me hoping to see them in huge blockbusters in the near future. The star quality with them is real. It's beautifully shot with unique, strong characters. The chemistry between them was so great that I bet it was a ton of fun on set. The Walter character blew my mind. It was so dang full! How is that actor not in everything?!?

Their locations made it so cinematic. It's rare to see this fantastic quality from an independent feature. Can't wait for the sequel!

Really enjoyed the wild ride you go on with this murder mystery's twists and turns. I felt a slight Hitchcock rear window vibe that I loved. All the actors had great chemistry, with some wonderful humor throughout. You can tell they had fun making this movie. Angelique is perfectly cast, how is she not already in a major blockbuster or some series lead. Can't wait to see what she does next. I loved the weird uneasy vibe you get with the wonderful score and the moody lighting.

It's hard to believe this is a low budget indie film. What a refreshing piece of something new in Hollywood, hopefully we can get more.

I actually really enjoyed this one. It starts off pretty chilled, but then this complex and intertwined tale unfolds that kept me engaged throughout. I'm a huge fan of mystery and syfy and this film is a great combination of both genres, plus I had some real laugh out loud moments too. The director knows how to create and maintain suspense and uses it really well throughout the film. You think you know where the movie's going, but you get these twists and turns that end up being a very fun ride. The acting was phenomenal by the lead actress, I remember her from Black Sails. And the baddie too. Their grounded and authentic performances makes the craziness happening in the world around them that much more relatable and truthful. The ending was a complete shock to me, one I definitely didn't see coming. If you feel like a nice little indie film I highly recommend it!

MIND THIEF is a fun ride that puts mischief back in the murder mystery genre. The plot is heightened by the twists and turns that keep coming in unexpected ways - the more you pay attention, the more intriguing the film is. Angelique Pretorius is perfectly cast as the lead, bringing the deft touch of a classic screwball comedy to the role. She carries the movie with the charm and style of the great screen stars of another era. The rest of the cast fills out the story with all the elements required to keep things interesting. Everyone involved keeps this movie sharp, as it adds modern touches to what feels like a classic Hollywood noir. Well shot, keenly directed, and showcasing great performances, this film is a great way to spend an evening.

Chris (Angelique Pretorius) is a mystery writer and she's written the titular book the #movie title of the film comes from. More importantly, she's experiencing lost time or rather additional time, as she goes to bed and wakes up with dirty feet, implying she didn't spend the night in bed. She enlists the help of friend Gina (Leslie L. Miller), but she too finds herself missing time. What is going on?

That is not an easy answer, especially without spoiling things. Getting out of the clutches of this evil plot will be a challenge for Chris, especially after she's framed for MURDER!

It's a quirky, fun movie, where people are not always who they seem to be, thanks the villainous Mind Thief in real life.

I just love this film. It's filled with joy, suspense, surprises and a quirky sense of humor. And it's incredibly well crafted! The writing holds up, the directorial choices are great and the entire cast delivers excellent performances. Angelique Pretorius who plays the lead keeps you glued to the screen with her great comedic timing and expressions that resonate with a depth and authenticity that is rare and special. She has classic movie star charisma. The story is a whimsical, psychological mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat to find out what happens next - its tone brings to mind an edgier Amelie. And the ending delivers a cool twist worth waiting for. This is the kind of film that makes you remember why you love movies.

This is an intriguing, ambitious little movie full of twists and turns. Lead Angelique Pretorius was outstanding and shows she can effortlessly carry a movie. Her mastery of nuance and intelligent acting choices throughout represent a stellar performance. The story is fresh and unpredictable--rare in today's movie offerings. The viewer is given room to think and ponder rather than the spoon-fed over-exposition that seems to becoming the norm in today's moviescape. Director Steinauer was able to direct with assurance and let the actors breathe. Well done all around. I don't know the budget but I'm guessing not large, yet it's top-notch on production values. A triumph of indie filmmaking.